From late August 2026, a new Trades and Technician pathway under the Skilled Migrant Category will give vehicle body builders and Small Engine mechanics a more accessible route to New Zealand residence.
A New Pathway for Trades and Technicians
On 5 March 2026, Immigration New Zealand confirmed the list of occupations eligible for the new Trades and Technician pathway under the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC), with changes taking effect in late August 2026. The pathway is specifically designed for migrants in ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 trades and technician roles who hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification and have accumulated sufficient work experience.
Eight key occupations now have access to residence through this pathway, several of which previously had no direct route unless they could satisfy more stringent SMC criteria.
What Has Changed — and for Whom?
Under the existing Green List, six automotive occupations below already appeared at Tier 2
Motor Mechanic (General)
Diesel Motor Mechanic
Motorcycle Mechanic
Automotive Electrician
Panel Beater
Vehicle Painter
The first 4 of these occupations offered a Work to Residence pathway provided the worker held a NZQCF Level 4 certificate in the relevant trade and had accrued 24 months of qualifying employment at the SMC median wage.
Panel Beater and Vehicle Painter had a different requirement which was remuneration based, being 1.3 x median wage for 24 months. This was only a recent policy change in August 2025, after the MTA argued hard for their inclusion. While it was welcome in some ways, it has placed a burden on employers to pay significantly higher wages.
Vehicle Body Builder (ANZSCO 324211) and Small Engine Mechanic (ANZSCO 321214) were not previously on the Green List. Workers in those roles had no dedicated residence pathway. The new Trades and Technician pathway changes this, providing an accessible and dedicated route for the first time.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify under the Trades and Technician pathway, a migrant must:
• Be working in an eligible trades and technician occupation;
• Hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification; and
• Have at least 4 years of directly relevant post-qualification work experience, including a minimum of 1.5 years in New Zealand earning at least the SMC median wage.
Importantly, migrants working in one of the six occupations already on the Green List at Tier 2 retain access to that pathway as well — meaning they may have two potential residence routes from August 2026.
We have also been waiting on an announcement around a pathway for Skill level 3 roles who do not have a Level 4 qualification, as this affects many workers from countries whose qualification levels don’t stack up. Some of these workers are Master Technicians who are extremely skilled. Many are currently getting visa extensions to remain in NZ and we are hoping that these workers will be recognised by INZ in the next cohort of SMC policy changes which we are told will come out some time in 2026.
To gain advice on these changes or other immigration enquiries contact Vanessa Godbaz at our parent company vanessa@jobcorp.co.nz
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