A new immigration pathway set to take effect in August 2026 will create a residence route for more workers in New Zealand’s automotive sector, including vehicle body builders and small engine mechanics.
Immigration New Zealand confirmed on March 5 that a new Trades and Technician pathway will be added to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa, targeting migrants working in Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill level 1 to 3 trades and technician roles.
The pathway will apply to workers who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification and have accumulated sufficient work experience in their trade.
Eight occupations will qualify for residence under the new pathway, including two automotive roles that previously had no dedicated route to residency — vehicle body builder (ANZSCO 324211) and small engine mechanic (ANZSCO 321214).
Under the existing Green List system, six automotive occupations already sit at Tier 2: motor mechanic (general), diesel motor mechanic, motorcycle mechanic, automotive electrician, panel beater and vehicle painter.
The first four roles offer a work-to-residence pathway provided workers hold a New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 4 trade certificate and have completed 24 months of qualifying employment paid at least the SMC median wage.
Panel beaters and vehicle painters were added to the Green List in August 2025 after lobbying from the Motor Trade Association, but their pathway requires workers to earn 1.3 times the median wage for 24 months, placing additional cost pressures on employers.
Vehicle body builders and small engine mechanics, however, had previously been excluded from the Green List, leaving workers in those roles without a clear residence pathway.
The new Trades and Technician pathway will change that by introducing a dedicated route for those occupations.
To qualify, migrants must be working in an eligible trades or technician occupation, hold a relevant Level 4 qualification or higher, and have at least four years of directly relevant post-qualification work experience.
Applicants must also have completed a minimum of 18 months working in New Zealand at or above the SMC median wage.
Workers in the six automotive occupations already listed on the Green List will retain access to that pathway, meaning some migrants may have two potential routes to residence once the new policy comes into effect.
Automotive Employment NZ says further changes may still be coming, particularly for skilled workers who do not hold Level 4 qualifications but have extensive practical experience.
Many experienced technicians from overseas currently remain in New Zealand on visa extensions while the Government considers additional Skilled Migrant Category changes expected later in 2026.
The new pathway is expected to help address labour shortages across the automotive repair and service sector while giving more migrant workers long-term certainty about their future in New Zealand.
