The annual update to the immigration median wage takes effect on March 9, 2026, rising from $33.56 to $35.00 per hour. While the "general" AEWV median wage requirement was removed in 2025 in favour of market rates, this $35 benchmark remains the "North Star" for residence and family visas.
See the full reference guide: Median Wage NZ 2026 — every threshold, visa, and historical rate
🧮 Run the numbers: Check your SMC points, compare your salary against the new median, or test your residence pathway.
Immigration New Zealand publishes information on median wage settings and visa requirements. If you are planning any visa applications in 2026, understanding this figure is essential.
How the $35 Threshold Impacts You
The median wage acts as a gatekeeper for several critical visa settings:
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
To claim points for "Skilled Work Experience" in New Zealand under the SMC, your pay must now meet or exceed $35.00/hour from March 9. Applications lodged before this date can still use the old $33.56 threshold — which is why timing your lodgement matters.
Green List Residence
Many Green List roles require a wage of at least the median wage (or a multiple of it) to qualify for straight-to-residence or work-to-residence pathways. Check your specific occupation's requirements carefully, as some roles require 1.5× or even 2× the median.
Partner Support Visas (Work Rights)
This is where the update has perhaps the most immediate household impact:
| Your Skill Level | Partner Work Visa Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| Level 1–3 | $28.00/hour (80% of median) |
| Level 4–5 | $52.50/hour (1.5× median) |
If you are in a Level 4 or 5 role, this jump to $52.50/hour makes partner work rights significantly harder to access. Many families will need to rethink their visa strategy.
Why Timing is Everything
If you are planning to apply for a Variation of Conditions or a Residence Visa, lodging your application before March 9 could save you from needing a pay rise to meet the new $35 requirement.
This is not a loophole — it is how the policy is explicitly designed to work. INZ assesses applications against the policy in place at the time of lodgement.
However, if you lodge in haste and your application is incomplete or incorrect, it could be returned or refused. Speed should never come at the cost of accuracy.
What If You Don't Currently Earn $35?
You have several options:
- Negotiate a Pay Rise: If you are close to the threshold, speak with your employer. Many are supportive when the alternative is losing a skilled worker.
- Explore the Trades & Technician Pathway: The August 2026 SMC reforms include pathways with different wage thresholds for trades roles.
- Green List Reassessment: If your occupation is on the Green List, your specific pathway may have a fixed minimum that differs from the general median.
- Book an SMC Pathfinder Assessment: Our specialists will map your current situation against all available pathways and tell you exactly where you stand.
For Employers
If you have a migrant employee who is close to the residence pathway threshold, proactively reviewing their salary now is a retention strategy. Skilled workers who cannot progress toward residence will look for employers who can support them — or leave New Zealand entirely.
Key Dates Summary
| Date | What Changes |
|---|---|
| March 8, 2026 (last day) | Applications can use $33.56 median wage threshold |
| March 9, 2026 | New $35.00 median wage applies to all new lodgements |
| August 2026 | New SMC dual-pathway system launches |
Are you unsure if your current salary meets the new 2026 standards? Book an SMC Pathfinder Assessment today.