New Zealand to launch 2 immigration pathways for skilled migrants
New Zealand is set to launch two pathways for skilled foreign migrants in mid-2026.
The new pathways will cater to different segments of the labour market. The first targets migrants in skilled roles who meet specific experience and salary thresholds, while the second focuses on trades and technical workers who satisfy qualification, work experience, and wage requirements.
The new measures unveiled by Nicola Willis, economic growth minister, will address labour shortages by filling critical gaps in the workforce and stimulate a sluggish economy.
“Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that were not available in the existing workforce,” Willis said in a statement.
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The move comes as New Zealand faces record levels of emigration and declining economic output. According to Stats NZ, between July 2024 and July 2025, 73,400 New Zealanders left the country, compared with just 25,800 returning to live.
Erica Stanford, immigration minister also explained that the skilled work experience pathway was designed to help employers retain experienced workers “who are already contributing to New Zealand’s economy and have demonstrated value in their roles.”
She added that the trades and technicians pathway recognises the practical expertise required in industries that rely on non-university qualifications, which are often highly valued in New Zealand.
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Part of a broader immigration strategy
The new policy forms part of a broader government effort to attract both talent and investment.
Earlier this year, the government relaxed visitor visa rules to welcome digital nomads remote workers, including social media influencers, provided they are employed by overseas companies.
In February, it also eased requirements for the Active Investor Plus visa, commonly known as the golden visa, which grants residency to wealthy foreigners willing to make substantial investments in the country.
Business groups have largely welcomed the latest announcement. as they believe the policy would enable employers to retain skilled workers, while Infrastructure NZ urged the government to bring forward the implementation date, citing urgent labour needs in key sectors.
However, not everyone in government is in support.
Winston Peters, foreign affairs minister and party leader criticised the policy, warning that New Zealand risked becoming “a stepping stone into Australia.”
“We take them in, train them, up-skill them, look after their families, and then they emigrate,” Peters said. He pointed to Stats NZ data showing that 35 percent of New Zealand citizens who migrated to Australia in 2024 were born overseas, arguing that the country needed “a smart immigration system that focuses on the needs of New Zealand employers, industry, and Kiwi workers, not policies that will lead to more immigration with no plan for our next generation.”
As New Zealand battles to retain talent and revive growth, the government’s new immigration pathways could prove pivotal, though political consensus on the country’s long-term migration strategy remains far from certain.
