New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Residence for Filipinos
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 16–40 weeks
- Government fee
- about $3,000
- Start preparing
- about 28 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 — the last of which matters for Filipino tradespeople and carers, whose experience previously counted for less than academic qualifications. You need six points from qualifications, occupational registration or income. Wage assessment at the residence application stage has been removed, so the median wage need only have been met when your skilled work experience began. Green List Tier 1 roles, including many nursing and health occupations heavily recruited from the Philippines, go Straight to Residence with a qualifying job offer, skipping the work visa stage entirely.
This page covers Filipinos. For every nationality we track, see the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Residence (SMC) overview.
Requirements for Filipinos
| 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
- Choose the pathway that matches your strengthsThe three pathways are the 6-point pathway, Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician.
- Calculate your six pointsPoints come from qualifications, occupational registration or income.
- Obtain an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment if neededPhilippine qualifications generally need NZQA assessment unless exempt.
- Obtain New Zealand occupational registrationNursing Council registration for nurses, and equivalent bodies for other regulated roles.
- Secure and hold skilled employment with an accredited employerThe role must be skilled at the required level and paid appropriately.
- Accumulate the required skilled work experiencePayslips, employment agreements and role descriptions.
- Complete medicals and police certificatesINZ panel physician medical, NBI clearance and any overseas police certificates.
- Submit your residence application with family includedFiled online with all evidence, including your partner and dependent children.
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 28 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 Filipinos?
- 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 Filipinos 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 Filipinos
Other destinations for Filipinos
New Zealand visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.