Skilled Residence Visa wage thresholds updated from 18 August 2025

Annual update to wage thresholds 

Immigration New Zealand has confirmed that the annual update to wage thresholds for skilled residence visas will take effect on 18 August 2025. The change impacts applicants across the Skilled Migrant Category, Work to Residence, and Straight to Residence visa pathways. 

This adjustment is part of INZ’s regular review process, designed to ensure that immigration requirements remain consistent with current labour market conditions and the skill levels needed in New Zealand. 

New threshold based on median wage 

From August, the wage thresholds will be indexed to the new national median wage of $33.56 an hour, as reported by Statistics New Zealand in June 2024. 

Applicants for Skilled Residence visas must show that their job offer meets or exceeds the updated threshold in order to be eligible for residence. 

Impact on work visa holders 

The change also affects migrants currently in New Zealand on a work visa who are on a pathway to residence. The key points to note are: 

• Work experience validity – To count towards a Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visa, work experience must have been undertaken in a role that paid at least the wage threshold in effect when the employment began. 

• No automatic pay increase required – Work visa holders do not need a pay rise when thresholds increase, provided they were already earning at or above the relevant threshold at the time they started their job. 

• When a new threshold applies – If a worker changes jobs, their pay drops, applies for another work visa, or later applies for residence, they must then meet the current threshold in place at that time. 

Next steps 

The 2025 update to Skilled Residence Visa wage thresholds reinforces the importance of staying informed and planning. For both employers and migrants, understanding how these thresholds apply can be the difference between a successful residence application and unnecessary delays.

At Absolute Immigration NZ, we help professionals, organisations and HR teams navigate these changes with confidence — providing clarity on immigration requirements, advising on compliance risks, and ensuring workforce planning remains on track despite shifting thresholds. 

Contact aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com  for expert guidance, tailored advice and visa support.