New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Residence for Indians
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 16–40 weeks
- Government fee
- about $3,000
- Start preparing
- about 25 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 8
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 16–40 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
Permanent residence through the points system, restructured on 24 August 2026 into three pathways: the existing 6-point route, plus new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways. You need six points from qualifications, occupational registration or income, and the changes made this friendlier — New Zealand master's degrees now score 6 points against 5 for overseas master's, and wage assessment at the residence application stage was removed, so you only need to meet the median wage when your skilled work experience begins rather than continuously. Green List Tier 1 occupations, covering many health, engineering and ICT roles, skip all of this: a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer takes you Straight to Residence without doing the AEWV first.
This page covers Indians. For every nationality we track, see the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Residence (SMC) overview.
Requirements for Indians
| Minimum annual income | No requirement |
| Minimum savings | No requirement |
| Job offer required | Yes |
| Degree required | No |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | Yes |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 16–40 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $3,000. Difficulty: 3/5.
Documents you'll need
- Identify which of the three pathways fits youThree pathways since 24 August 2026: 6-point, Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician.
- Calculate your six pointsPoints come from qualifications, registration or income; NZ master's scores 6 against 5 for overseas.
- Obtain an International Qualifications Assessment if neededNZQA assesses overseas qualifications not on the exempt list; it takes about 35 working days.
- Secure skilled employment with an accredited employerJob at the required ANZSCO level, with the median wage met when qualifying experience began.
- Accumulate the required skilled work experiencePayslips, employment agreements and role descriptions are the evidence asked for.
- Obtain occupational registration if your role requires itNurses, engineers, teachers and various trades need NZ registration, which can also score points.
- Complete medicals and police certificatesINZ panel physician medical, plus police certificates from India and any country lived in for 12 months.
- Submit your residence applicationFiled online with all evidence; processing typically four to ten months, partner and children included.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The Skilled Migrant Category Residence takes about 25 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the Skilled Migrant Category Residence right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Residence take for Indians?
- Typical processing time is 16–40 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the Skilled Migrant Category Residence cost?
- The government fee is approximately $3,000. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Indians need a job offer for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence?
- Yes. A job offer from an employer in New Zealand is required before applying.
- Can I bring my family on the Skilled Migrant Category Residence?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
Other New Zealand visas for Indians
Other destinations for Indians
New Zealand visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.