Skilled Migrant Category — 6-point system (2023 reform)

Build a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) 6-point strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] (age [AGE], qualification [QUALIFICATION], occupation [OCCUPATION] ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE], NZ income NZD [INCOME_NZD], NZ experience [NZ_EXPERIENCE_MONTHS] months).

§1 — 2023 SMC REFORM HEADLINES (90-110 words)
On 9 October 2023, INZ replaced the prior points-based SMC (160 / 180 point system with EOI selection) with a 6-point system targeting 6 total points across three dimensions:
  • Qualification points (max 5)
  • Occupation registration OR income points (max 5)
  • NZ work experience points (max 3)
Minimum threshold: 6 points
Removed: age points, partner qualification bonus, regional bonus, area-of-future-skill-shortage bonus, job-offer-anywhere-in-NZ bonus
Simpler + faster decision-making; favours mid-career skilled workers earning at or above median wage.
Implementation phased 2023-2024; verify current calculation tool at INZ SMC page.

§2 — QUALIFICATION POINTS (110-140 words)
  • PhD (Level 10): 5 points
  • Master's (Level 9): 4 points
  • Bachelor's with Honours / Postgraduate Diploma (Level 8): 4 points
  • Bachelor's (Level 7): 3 points
  • Diploma (Level 6 or 7): 2 points
  • Diploma (Level 4 or 5): 1 point
Recognition:
  • NZ qualifications: directly recognized
  • Overseas qualifications: NZQA assessment required (International Qualifications Assessment - IQA)
  • Indian bachelor's (3-year): typically Level 7 if from UGC-recognized institution
  • Indian master's: Level 9 typically
  • Engineering bachelor's (4-year): Level 7
  • Indian MBBS: assessed by NZ Medical Council separately for occupation registration

For [QUALIFICATION]: estimate points; obtain NZQA IQA if overseas.

§3 — OCCUPATION OR INCOME POINTS (130-160 words)
Choose ONE of:

OCCUPATION REGISTRATION POINTS — for regulated occupations requiring NZ registration:
  • Doctor (NZ Medical Council registration): 5 points
  • Specialist medical (Vocational scope): 5 points
  • Engineer (Chartered Professional Engineer): 4 points
  • Lawyer (NZ Law Society admission): 4 points
  • Registered Nurse: 3 points
  • Other regulated (architect, vet, pharmacist, optometrist): varies 3-4 points

INCOME POINTS — for non-regulated occupations OR alternative path:
  • Earning 1.5× median wage: 5 points (~NZD 47.42/hour or NZD 98,650/year at Feb 2025 median)
  • Earning 1.25× median: 3 points
  • Earning at median: 1 point
  • Below median: 0 points

For [OCCUPATION] (ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE]) earning NZD [INCOME_NZD]:
  • If regulated occupation → registration points
  • If not regulated → income points
Most Indian-cohort IT + business roles: income points apply.

§4 — NZ WORK EXPERIENCE POINTS (90-110 words)
  • 1 year (12 months) of NZ work experience in qualifying role: 1 point
  • 2 years: 2 points
  • 3+ years: 3 points

"Qualifying" = skilled employment with accredited employer at or above median wage in ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 role.

For [NZ_EXPERIENCE_MONTHS]: 12-23 = 1 point; 24-35 = 2 points; 36+ = 3 points.

Trap: experience in roles paying below median doesn't qualify even if technically skilled. Aim for above-median throughout NZ tenure.

§5 — POINTS TOTAL + APPLICATION (90-110 words)
For [CLIENT_NAME], total = [Qualification] + [Occupation/Income] + [NZ experience].

If ≥6 points: eligible to apply directly for residence (no EOI lottery — direct application)
If <6 points: build points before applying (e.g., complete additional qualification, increase income, accumulate NZ experience)

Application:
  • Online via INZ ONLINE
  • Fee: NZD 4,290-4,890 + IELTS evidence + qualifications IQA + employment evidence
  • Processing: 6-12 months typical
  • English: IELTS 6.5 overall + 6.0 in each band OR equivalent OR exemption (Australia / UK / Canada / Ireland degree)
  • Health + character + bridging visa support during processing

§6 — INDIAN-COHORT PATHWAY (60-80 words)
Typical Indian-cohort path:
  • Bachelor's Level 7 (3) + at-median income (1) + 24 months NZ experience (2) = 6 → eligible
  • Master's Level 9 (4) + at-median income (1) + 12 months NZ experience (1) = 6 → eligible
  • Bachelor's (3) + 1.25× median (3) + 0 NZ experience = 6 → eligible offshore
Most skilled migrant workers reach 6 points within 12-24 months of AEWV. Plan accordingly.

End with: "DRAFT SMC 6-POINT STRATEGY — for review by IAA-licensed adviser. The 2023 reform substantially simplified eligibility for mid-career Indian skilled migrants; if you cannot reach 6 points within 18-24 months, consider Green List Tier 1 (immediate residence with qualifying occupation) or partnership pathway. Verify current points table at INZ SMC page."