Estimate your Skilled Migrant points

What the estimator does

The points estimator helps you organise the main information that usually matters for a Skilled Migrant Category residence pathway. Instead of guessing whether you are “close” to eligibility, you can work through the key areas and get a broad orientation of how your situation may fit.

Use it as a first-pass planning tool. It can help you identify questions such as whether your qualification may need NZQA recognition, whether your job is likely to be treated as skilled, whether occupational registration may matter, and whether your New Zealand employment evidence is strong enough to discuss with a professional.

This tool sits alongside Yimin’s broader [free eligibility check](/eligibility-checker/). The estimator focuses on Skilled Migrant-style points orientation, while the eligibility check can also help you think about other possible routes — for example employer-supported work visas, Green List residence options, partner visas, study pathways or family categories. Yimin is not a licensed immigration adviser; our role is to provide clear information, help you prepare the right questions, and connect you with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer where needed.

What factors it considers

New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category is built around recognised skilled contribution to New Zealand. The exact rules, point settings and evidence requirements can change, so you should always confirm current requirements with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) or a licensed adviser before relying on any result.

The estimator may ask about areas such as:

- **Your qualification level** — for example whether you have a recognised bachelor’s degree, postgraduate qualification, trade qualification or other credential. Some overseas qualifications may need assessment through NZQA before they can be relied on. - **New Zealand skilled employment** — including whether you have a job or job offer in New Zealand, whether the role is skilled, whether the employer and employment terms meet current requirements, and whether the pay level is relevant. - **Occupational registration** — some professions require New Zealand registration before you can work in that role or claim certain pathway advantages. - **Income and remuneration** — some residence and work pathways consider wage or salary thresholds. These settings are policy-based and can change, so they should be checked at the time you apply. - **Work experience and career background** — your previous experience may matter differently depending on the current category rules and the evidence available. - **Health, character and English** — most residence pathways require medical and police checks, and English-language evidence may be required for the principal applicant and sometimes family members. - **Family included in the application** — a partner and dependent children can affect documentation, English requirements, health checks and overall planning.

For a deeper explanation of how the category works, read our guide to the [Skilled Migrant points system](/skilled-migrant-points-system/). The important thing is not just the number: it is whether the points can be properly evidenced under current INZ instructions.

Why it's indicative only

The estimator is indicative only because immigration eligibility is not decided by a simple calculator. INZ assesses the details: documents, dates, job descriptions, qualification recognition, employment agreements, payslips, registration status, medical results, police certificates and whether each claim meets the policy wording in force at the time.

Two people with similar-looking profiles can have different outcomes. For example, one qualification may be recognised automatically while another may need NZQA assessment. One job title may sound skilled but the actual duties may not align with the required standard. A salary level may be sufficient under one set of instructions but not under a later policy setting. A partner or child included in the application may introduce extra evidence requirements.

That is why this tool should be treated as an orientation step, not a decision. It does not replace advice from an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer, and it does not guarantee eligibility, selection, invitation to apply or residence approval. If your result looks promising, the next step is to have your evidence checked against the current rules before you spend time or money preparing a formal application.

Get matched with a licensed adviser

Once you have a rough result, the most useful next step is a proper eligibility conversation. Yimin can help you get matched with a licensed adviser who can look at your real facts, identify the likely pathway, and explain what evidence you may need before submitting an Expression of Interest or residence application.

A licensed adviser can help you check questions such as:

- whether Skilled Migrant is the strongest pathway for you, or whether another route may be more suitable; - whether your qualification, occupation or registration can support a points claim; - whether your current or proposed New Zealand job is likely to meet the skilled employment rules; - what documents should be prepared, translated, certified or updated; - whether your partner and children can be included and what requirements may apply to them; - what risks or timing issues should be addressed before lodging anything with INZ.

Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. We do not provide personalised immigration advice ourselves, and we do not make application decisions. Instead, we help you understand the landscape, then connect you with someone properly licensed to advise on your specific situation. You can start with the [free eligibility check](/eligibility-checker/) or [contact us](/contact/) to book a free intro call.

Where to go next

If you are exploring residence through skilled work, use the estimator as a starting point, then build a clear action plan. Your next steps will usually depend on whether you already have New Zealand employment, whether your occupation is in demand, whether you need registration, and whether your qualification and documents are ready.

A sensible sequence is:

1. **Use the estimator** to understand the main factors that may affect your Skilled Migrant pathway. 2. **Read the pathway guide** so you understand the points logic, EOI process and common evidence issues — start with the [Skilled Migrant points system](/skilled-migrant-points-system/). 3. **Check broader eligibility** if you are not sure Skilled Migrant is the best route. The [free eligibility checker](/eligibility-checker/) can help compare possible pathways at a high level. 4. **Speak with a licensed adviser** before you rely on a points estimate, lodge an EOI, change jobs, start a qualification assessment, or include family members in an application. 5. **Prepare documents early** — passports, employment records, qualification documents, transcripts, registration evidence, English results if needed, police certificates and medical checks can all take time.

New Zealand can be a realistic long-term home for skilled migrants, but the pathway works best when you understand the rules before you act. Use the tool for orientation, then get your situation checked properly under current INZ instructions.