If you're applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) from 24 August 2026, the first thing to check isn't your wage or your qualifications — it's whether your occupation sits on the Red List or the Amber List. Both lists restrict which of the three SMC pathways you can use, and getting this wrong before you apply can mean wasted time and a declined application.
The Red List: 6 occupations, one pathway only
If your occupation appears here, you're not eligible for either the Skilled Work Experience pathway or the Trades and Technician pathway. You can only apply for SMC residence via the standard Points-based pathway, claiming your 6 points from income, qualification, or New Zealand registration.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 451111 | Beauty Therapist |
| 142114 | Hair or Beauty Salon Manager |
| 391111 | Hairdresser |
| 149999 | Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec |
| 411611 | Massage Therapist |
| 142111 | Retail Manager (General) |
The Amber List: 14 occupations, restricted access
If your occupation appears here, you can still use the Skilled Work Experience pathway, but with a higher wage bar than the standard rate: you'll need 2 years of New Zealand work experience paid at 1.2 times the SMC median wage, rather than the usual 1.1 times. Amber List occupations are not eligible for the Trades and Technician pathway at all, regardless of qualifications.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 141999 | Accommodation and Hospitality Manager nec |
| 141311 | Hotel or Motel Manager |
| 431411 | Hotel Service Manager |
| 351111 | Baker |
| 141911 | Bed and Breakfast Operator |
| 141111 | Café or Restaurant Manager |
| 141211 | Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager |
| 351311 | Chef |
| 149212 | Customer Service Manager |
| 313112 | ICT Customer Support Officer |
| 313199 | ICT Support Technicians nec |
| 512111 | Office Manager |
| 351112 | Pastrycook |
| 313113 | Web Administrator |
What this means at the wage threshold
At the current SMC median wage of $35.00 an hour (from 9 March 2026):
A standard Skilled Work Experience applicant needs 1.1 times the median wage — $38.50 an hour — for their qualifying New Zealand work experience.
An Amber List applicant needs 1.2 times the median wage — $42.00 an hour — for the same work experience.
A Red List applicant restricted to the Points-based pathway needs to meet one of the existing 6-point thresholds instead — for example, 1.5 times the median wage ($52.50) for 3 income points, or a relevant qualification or New Zealand registration.
If your occupation isn't on either list
Most occupations aren't on the Red or Amber list. If yours isn't listed here, the standard pathway requirements apply: 1.1 times the median wage for Skilled Work Experience, or the standard median wage for Trades and Technician (if your occupation also appears on the confirmed Trades and Technician occupations list).
These lists can change
Immigration New Zealand has indicated these lists will be reviewed regularly to reflect immigration risk, which means an occupation's status could shift again before or after August 2026. If your occupation is removed from a list after you've already started accruing qualifying work experience, you remain eligible under the rules that applied when you started — but it's worth checking the current list again before you submit your expression of interest.
Check your pathway: Use our SMC Pathfinder to see which pathway and wage threshold apply to your specific occupation.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our licensed immigration advisers if you're not sure how your occupation is classified, or which pathway gives you the best chance of success.