New Zealand’s immigration system locations sturdy emphasis on attracting expert expertise that provides worth to its rising economic system. For a lot of migrants, securing a expert job supply is the important thing to unlocking a long-term pathway to residence. However what precisely makes a job supply “expert” within the eyes of Immigration New Zealand (INZ)?
At Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd, we frequently get requested this query — and right here’s a transparent rationalization based mostly on the present INZ framework.
What Makes a Job Supply “Expert”?
To qualify as a talented job supply underneath the Expert Migrant Class Resident Visa or comparable residence pathways, the place should meet a number of essential circumstances:
1. Accredited Employer Requirement
The employer should maintain INZ accreditation, confirming that they meet authorized, monetary, and moral obligations and may rent migrant staff underneath the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme.
2. Recognised Occupation
The function should fall underneath an occupation recognised as expert, sometimes throughout the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Customary Classification of Occupations) framework or its successor, the Nationwide Occupation Checklist (NOL).
3. Full-Time and Real Employment
The job have to be full-time, i.e., a minimal of 30 hours per week, and should characterize real, sustainable employment — not short-term or project-based work.
4. Minimal Period
The employment supply ought to both be everlasting or for a fixed-term contract of at the very least 12 months. Provides for shorter durations usually received’t qualify for residence functions.
5. Pay Thresholds Primarily based on Ability Stage
INZ makes use of remuneration thresholds to find out the talent degree of a job:
- ANZSCO Ability Ranges 1–3: Pay have to be at or above the present New Zealand median wage.
- ANZSCO Ability Ranges 4–5: Pay have to be at the very least 1.5 instances the median wage.
This wage-based take a look at ensures that the job displays real talent and market worth, not only a title or job description.
Why the Expert Job Supply Issues
A talented job supply isn’t just about employment — it’s the gateway to residence underneath a number of expert migration pathways. It exhibits INZ that:
- Your abilities are wanted in New Zealand’s labour market.
- The employer is real and compliant.
- You’re incomes at a degree that aligns with the talent and accountability anticipated for the function.
With out a recognised expert job supply, it’s usually not doable to use underneath the Expert Migrant Class Resident Visa or different employment-based residence routes.
Widespread Pitfalls and Caveats
Whereas many candidates assume that any job supply qualifies, INZ takes a more in-depth have a look at the main points. Right here are some things to be careful for:
- Mismatch between job title and duties: The obligations listed should align with the occupation’s definition in ANZSCO or NOL.
- Pay beneath threshold: Even when you maintain a high-title place, pay that falls beneath the required wage fee could make the function ineligible.
- Brief contracts: Fastened-term or project-based contracts of lower than 12 months hardly ever qualify.
- Altering median wage: INZ critiques the median wage periodically — a job that met the brink final yr might not qualify now. However insurance policies are continually altering on this problem, and it’s best to seek the advice of a LIA on this for present and legitimate instrcutions.
- Different standards nonetheless apply: Even with a talented job supply, candidates should meet different residence necessities — age, English proficiency, well being, character, and qualification requirements.
Actual-World Instance
Let’s say you’ve a job supply as an ICT Enterprise Analyst with a wage barely above the New Zealand median wage. The employer is accredited, and the contract is everlasting/at the very least 12 12-month full-time contract. This may sometimes depend as a expert job supply and will earn you residence factors/eligibility underneath the Expert Migrant Class.
But when the identical function supplied lower than the median wage or a 6-month contract, it could seemingly be ineligible, even with the identical job title.
Key Thresholds and Updates
INZ updates its median wage fee and expert occupation lists repeatedly. As of the most recent replace, the median wage sits at NZD $31.61 per hour (or NZD $65,748 per yr for a 40-hour week).
At all times examine the latest figures and the present insurance policies on the official INZ web site:
Remaining Ideas
Understanding what counts as a “expert job supply” is important for planning your migration pathway to New Zealand. Should you’re uncertain whether or not your supply qualifies, seek the advice of a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) — we will assess your function, employer, and pay construction underneath the most recent INZ coverage.
Attain out to us right this moment at contact@nzimmigration.data or go to www.nzimmigration.data to schedule an expert session.
Creator Particulars
Vandana Rai
(LIA 201400900)
Director
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has constructed a repute round her uncommon set of abilities, which could possibly be thought of best for her authorized career.

