New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Offers Three Pathways to Residence

What changed

New Zealand's Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced final changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and Work to Residence visas. These changes start on 24 August 2026. Most people applying for an SMC Resident Visa will now only need to meet one wage rule. This rule will be set at the wage they earned when they started their skilled work experience, or when their work visa was granted if they started work within five months. This gives them more certainty. People applying for Work to Residence visas (Care Workforce and Transport) will also use the wage rule from their work visa grant date. New evidence rules include needing a bachelor's degree to support some Level 8 or 9 qualifications. Points for bachelor's degrees and accredited qualifications will increase from 3 to 4. The rule that required 120 credits for overseas Trades and Technician qualifications has been removed. Self-employment will no longer count as relevant work experience for the new Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways. The meaning of 'genuine employment' for all skilled residence visas has been made clearer. It now means job offers must be 'available and ongoing' and show a 'genuine need to be based in New Zealand'.

What changed

New Zealand and Thailand have launched a Strategic Partnership, including an agreement to strengthen cooperation on immigration, border security, customs, and cyber security, as well as combating scam centres, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. This cooperation aims to enhance the safety of New Zealanders and facilitate stronger connections between the two nations.

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has updated its caseworker guidance for settlement applications under family and private life routes, effective 17 August 2026. This version 5.0 introduces specific guidance for paragraphs 297 and 298 within Part 8 of the Immigration Rules and revises references to Part Suitability. It also includes new instructions for managing applications where individuals have simultaneously applied for both settlement and the EU Settlement Scheme, requiring caseworkers to coordinate and applicants to confirm their preferred application within 14 days if both are grantable.

What changed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its rules for public charge inadmissibility decisions. These new rules start on 18 September 2026. This new guidance cancels the public charge rules from 2022. It explains how USCIS officers will decide if people applying for lawful permanent resident status, which is legally called adjustment of status, are likely to need public support. For means-tested public benefits received before 18 September 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash aid for living costs and long-term care in a government institution. But for benefits received on or after 18 September 2026, USCIS will consider all means-tested public benefits. This is part of looking at the five legal factors for public charge inadmissibility.