Last updated: 06 August 2026
Are you planning to build your career and settle in New Zealand?
The New Zealand skilled migration programme from Dubai offers several pathways for qualified professionals, tradespeople and technicians living in the UAE.
However, New Zealand does not operate one general permanent residence programme for all skilled workers. Your eligibility depends on factors such as your occupation, qualifications, work experience, age, English ability, New Zealand job offer and professional registration.
The principal skilled migration options include:
UAE residents who want professional support can explore our dedicated New Zealand skilled migration services or compare other skilled migration programmes from Dubai.
This guide explains the latest 2026 rules, including the major Skilled Migrant Category changes taking effect on 24 August 2026.
A skilled professional living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE may migrate to New Zealand by:
The current Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa requires a skilled job or job offer from an accredited employer and at least six skilled resident points.
Applicants can begin by requesting a free New Zealand migration profile assessment with The Global Axis Immigration Services.
New Zealand introduced several important immigration changes during 2026. Applicants from the UAE should consider the date of application because rules taking effect on 24 August 2026 are different from the current settings.
From 24 August 2026, two new pathways will be added to the Skilled Migrant Category:
The existing points based pathway will remain available, but qualification points, wage calculations and eligible work experience rules will change.
Applicants should review the official 2026 Skilled Migrant Category changes before submitting an Expression of Interest.
Draft Skilled Migrant Category Expressions of Interest that have not been submitted will expire on 24 August 2026.
Applicants who want to be considered under the current system must submit their EOI before the new rules take effect. An applicant who has merely saved a draft will not be protected under the existing rules.
From 1 June 2026, minimum English requirements were extended to Accredited Employer Work Visa applicants offered jobs at ANZSCO or National Occupation List skill level 3.
The English requirement now generally applies to AEWV positions at skill levels 3, 4 and 5. Jobs at skill levels 1 and 2 are not covered by this particular AEWV English requirement.
New Zealand is gradually introducing the National Occupation List, known as the NOL.
The NOL can currently be used for recognised occupations in AEWV applications. However, Immigration New Zealand continues to use ANZSCO for other routes, including the Skilled Migrant Category.
Applicants should therefore use the occupation classification specified for the exact visa they are applying for.
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is New Zealand’s principal points based residence pathway for skilled professionals.
Under the rules in effect on 6 August 2026, applicants must generally:
The visa allows approved applicants to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. A qualifying partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger may be included in the residence application.
A qualifying skilled job must generally be:
Under the current rules, an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 job generally needs to pay at least NZD 35 per hour.
An ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 job generally needs to pay at least NZD 52.50 per hour to be treated as skilled employment under the existing SMC settings.
Applicants should verify prospective employers through the official New Zealand accredited employer list.
Applicants need at least six skilled resident points.
Under the present points based system, applicants can claim between three and six points from one main skill category:
Applicants may then add up to three points for eligible skilled work experience completed in New Zealand.
Points from registration, qualifications and income cannot normally be combined with one another. The applicant chooses the strongest principal category and adds eligible New Zealand work experience points where required.
| Qualification | Current points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 6 |
| Master’s degree | 5 |
| Bachelor honours degree or postgraduate diploma | 4 |
| Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate certificate | 3 |
An overseas qualification may require an International Qualification Assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Some qualifications may be exempt from assessment. Applicants should confirm their qualification status before claiming points.
| Hourly income | Current points |
|---|---|
| At least NZD 105 | 6 |
| At least NZD 70 | 4 |
| At least NZD 52.50 | 3 |
Income thresholds can change when New Zealand updates the immigration median wage. Applicants must check the rate applicable to the date and pathway used.
Certain regulated professions may qualify for three to six points.
The number of points depends on the minimum training or experience required to obtain the recognised New Zealand registration.
Occupations that may require New Zealand registration include selected:
Holding overseas professional registration does not automatically mean the applicant has New Zealand registration.
The new Skilled Work Experience pathway is intended for people with a strong history of relevant skilled employment.
An applicant will generally need to:
This normally results in a total experience requirement of at least five years, including two years gained in New Zealand.
Roles on an Amber List will be subject to higher requirements. Roles on a Red List and ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 occupations will not be eligible for this new pathway. Self employment cannot be used as relevant experience for this route.
The Trades and Technician pathway is intended for specified technical and trade occupations.
Applicants will generally need to:
This produces an overall experience requirement of approximately four years, including at least 18 months of eligible New Zealand work.
Applicants should review the official Trades and Technician occupation list because not every trade or technical position will qualify.
The New Zealand Green List identifies selected occupations for which the country needs skilled workers.
The list is divided into two tiers:
Applicants can use the official New Zealand Green List occupation search to check their occupation, qualification, registration, experience and salary requirements.
A job title appearing similar to a listed occupation is not sufficient. The candidate must satisfy the specific requirements attached to that occupation.
A Straight to Residence Visa may be available to an applicant who:
Eligible applicants may apply from outside New Zealand or after travelling to New Zealand on an appropriate work visa.
A Tier 2 Green List applicant generally needs to complete at least 24 months of qualifying employment in New Zealand before applying for residence.
The applicant must normally:
The qualifying employment can generally be completed on an acceptable New Zealand work visa, including an AEWV.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is often the first step for UAE residents who receive employment from a New Zealand accredited employer.
The AEWV is a temporary work visa. It does not automatically provide permanent residence, but qualifying employment may help a worker progress towards:
To apply for an AEWV, the candidate normally needs:
The maximum continuous stay is generally up to five years for most skill level 1, 2 or 3 roles. Some skill level 4 and 5 positions may have a maximum continuous stay of three years.
Applicants can read the complete official Accredited Employer Work Visa requirements before accepting an employment offer.
No.
An AEWV is an employer linked temporary work visa. A residence visa allows the person to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
An AEWV holder must separately qualify for a residence programme. Residence is not guaranteed simply because someone has worked in New Zealand.
From 1 June 2026, minimum English requirements generally apply to AEWV applicants in ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3, 4 and 5 positions.
The current minimum test scores include:
| Test | Minimum result |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall 4.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 31 |
| PTE Academic | Overall 29 |
| Cambridge B2 First | Overall 142 |
| Occupational English Test | Grade D in all four skills |
AEWV jobs at skill levels 1 and 2 are not subject to this particular English requirement.
English may also be demonstrated through qualifying citizenship, work or study history. Test results must generally be no more than two years old when the application is submitted.
Applicants should review the official AEWV English language requirements.
The English requirement for residence is higher than the minimum AEWV requirement.
A principal skilled residence applicant relying on a test will generally need:
| Test | Minimum result |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 79 |
| PTE Academic | Overall 58 |
| Cambridge B2 First | Overall 176 |
| Occupational English Test | Grade C+ in all four skills |
Applicants may also qualify through accepted citizenship, education or employment evidence.
Review the official English requirements for skilled residence visas before booking a language test.
New Zealand work and residence pathways may cover selected occupations in sectors such as:
An occupation being described as “in demand” does not mean every applicant automatically qualifies.
Candidates must still meet the relevant:
Review your:
The Global Axis can provide an initial New Zealand skilled migration assessment for UAE residents.
Your position should be classified according to your actual duties rather than only your job title.
Incorrect occupation classification can affect:
Compare your profile against:
Applicants can review the broader New Zealand skilled residence pathways on the Immigration New Zealand website.
An overseas qualification may need an International Qualification Assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Do not assume that a UAE, Indian, Filipino, Pakistani or other overseas qualification automatically has a particular New Zealand level.
Some applicants must obtain registration from the appropriate New Zealand professional authority.
This commonly applies to selected:
The employment offer should clearly show:
Confirm the employer through the official accredited employer register.
Commonly required documents include:
The final document list depends on the chosen visa and personal circumstances.
The application process depends on the pathway:
Skilled residence applications may allow the principal applicant to include:
Family members must satisfy the applicable relationship, health, character and English requirements.
Family members cannot be included directly in an AEWV application. However, an AEWV holder may be able to support separate work, visitor or student visa applications depending on their occupation, salary and visa conditions.
Most New Zealand skilled migration pathways are employment led.
A candidate should not assume that overseas qualifications and work experience alone will provide immediate residence.
Immigration New Zealand assesses the actual employment duties, not only the title written on a business card or CV.
Job offer scams can involve false employment agreements, copied company details and requests for large upfront payments.
Always check the employer through official sources.
An AEWV does not guarantee Skilled Migrant Category or Green List residence.
The person must separately satisfy the requirements of the residence route.
Confirm:
Experience letters should clearly show:
Immigration New Zealand may seek independent verification.
New Zealand regulates personalised immigration advice.
An individual providing New Zealand immigration advice in New Zealand or offshore generally must be licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority unless an exemption applies.
Before signing an agreement, ask for:
Applicants can check a representative through the Immigration Advisers Authority.
The Global Axis Immigration Services assists professionals living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE who are exploring New Zealand skilled migration and work visa options.
Depending on the applicant’s profile and agreed service scope, assistance may include:
Explore our New Zealand skilled migration services or view all skilled migration programmes.
You can also review our frequently asked immigration questions and latest immigration updates.
Yes. UAE residents can apply for eligible New Zealand work and residence visas.
Most skilled pathways require a qualifying job or job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
Yes.
The current six point Skilled Migrant Category remains available. Changes will take effect on 24 August 2026, including the Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.
Applicants currently need at least six skilled resident points.
Points may be claimed from occupational registration, qualifications or qualifying income, with additional points available for skilled New Zealand work experience.
The principal Skilled Migrant Category and Green List routes require a skilled job or job offer.
Therefore, most skilled applicants from the UAE need qualifying New Zealand employment before they can apply through these pathways.
The principal applicant must generally be aged 55 or younger for the Skilled Migrant Category, Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas.
IELTS is not the only way to demonstrate English.
Applicants may use another approved test or qualifying citizenship, work or study evidence. Where IELTS is used, the minimum score depends on whether the application is for an AEWV or skilled residence.
Qualifying employment completed on an AEWV may help the applicant meet the work requirements for SMC, Green List or another work to residence pathway.
Residence is not automatic.
The maximum continuous stay is generally five years for most skill level 1 to 3 positions.
Some skill level 4 and 5 positions may have a maximum continuous stay of three years.
A skilled residence applicant may be able to include a partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.
An AEWV holder may support separate visas for eligible family members, depending on the occupation, salary and visa conditions.
No.
A Skilled Migrant Category or Green List Resident Visa permits the holder to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely, but initial travel conditions are limited.
After holding residence for two consecutive years and meeting the relevant conditions, the person may become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
The 2026 New Zealand immigration changes may create new pathways for:
However, eligibility depends on much more than an occupation title.
Before applying, assess your:
Contact The Global Axis Immigration Services for an initial assessment of your New Zealand skilled migration options from Dubai and the UAE.
Dubai office: M11, Bank Street Building, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, Al Mankhool, Dubai
Telephone: +971 50 306 4316
Disclaimer: Immigration policies, occupation lists, wage thresholds, fees and processing procedures can change. Visa and residence decisions are made solely by Immigration New Zealand. Employment, visa approval and permanent residence cannot be guaranteed. Personalised New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or another legally exempt person.
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