Calculate your Skilled Migrant Category points under the post-October 2023 rules. Free, instant, no account required.
Important: This is not immigration advice
This calculator provides estimates only based on the information you enter. It is not a substitute for professional immigration advice. HowToMoveTo is not an immigration adviser and does not guarantee any outcome.
View official SMC requirements on immigration.govt.nzDegree-level qualifications at NZQF level 7 or above earn points. NZ qualifications and those with confirmed NZ equivalence (via IQA) earn more than international qualifications without equivalence. Level 8 has two sub-tiers: postgraduate certificate (3 pts) and bachelor honours or postgraduate diploma (4 pts).
If you hold NZ occupational registration in an eligible profession, you earn points based on the years of training required: 2 years (3 pts), 4 years (4 pts), 5 years (5 pts), or 6+ years (6 pts). There is no 3-year tier.
Your current NZ income or job-offer income as a multiple of the median wage earns points: 1.5x (3 pts), 2x (4 pts), or 3x+ (6 pts). The 2025 median wage is NZD $35.00/hr.
After choosing one core, you can add up to 3 points from NZ skilled work experience: 1 year in the last 2 (1 pt), 2 years in the last 4 (2 pts), or 3 years in the last 5 (3 pts).
In addition to points, you must meet four mandatory requirements: English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent), good health, good character, and a full-time job offer from an accredited employer. These are tracked separately from your points score. HowToMoveTo shows you which gates you meet and which you still need.
Select the NZQF level of your highest qualification. Only level 7+ degree-level qualifications earn points.
NZ qualifications and those with confirmed IQA equivalence earn more points than international qualifications without equivalence.
If you hold NZ registration in an eligible profession, select the years of training required to earn that registration.
Your current NZ income or job-offer income relative to the median wage (NZD $35.00/hr in 2025).
NZ skilled work experience in the required time windows: 1 year in the last 2, 2 years in the last 4, or 3 years in the last 5.
Choose which core to use for your points, or let us pick the highest-scoring one for you.
IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent (TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58, Cambridge 176).
Good health, medical examination and chest X-ray as required by INZ.
Police certificates from countries of citizenship and residence (12+ months in the last 10 years).
Full-time (30+ hrs/week), permanent or 12+ month fixed-term, at the required ANZSCO-adjusted wage.
Your SMC Score
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