New Zealand PR from Pakistan: the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa gives residence in New Zealand. You need 6 points, from a qualification or high pay plus up to 3 for skilled work in New Zealand, a full-time skilled job or job offer from an accredited employer paying at least NZD 35 an hour, IELTS 6.5 overall, and to be 55 or younger. The main fee is NZ$6,450 (about PKR 1,001,000).
Last checked:
At a glance
- Main fee
- NZ$6,450 (about PKR 1,001,000)
- Processing time
- Varies, see below
- Documents
- 10 on the list
- Points from one category: a doctorate, master's or bachelor's, or high pay.
- Up to 3 more points for skilled work in New Zealand.
- IELTS 6.5 overall, and 55 or younger.
Fees
| Fee | Official amount | About in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee and immigration levyNZD 2,880 visa fee and NZD 3,570 immigration levy. The Expression of Interest is free. | NZ$6,450 | PKR 1,001,000 |
Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the mid-market rate on October 9, 2026 (1 NZD = PKR 155.16). Your bank and the visa centre use their own rates.
Check the amount on the official source.
Official fee pages:Fees, decision times and where to apply (Pakistan)
Processing time
Not confirmed
80% of applications under the current rules within 3.5 months (INZ, October 2026).
Official source: Fees, decision times and where to apply (Pakistan)Documents you need
From our draft document list for this visa. Your own list depends on your situation, so check the official source.
Usually needed
Passport
Scan of the passport information page.
Passport-size photograph (destination specification)
One acceptable photo, uploaded with the application.
Job offer / employment contract
Your job offer or employment agreement with an accredited employer: full time, permanent or for at least 12 months, with the hourly pay.
Degree certificate
Your qualification with its NZQA International Qualification Assessment (or listed as exempt); a master's also needs your bachelor's.
English language test result
IELTS 6.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58, B2 First 176 or OET C+ in all four skills, taken in person in the last 2 years.
Immigration medical exam (panel physician)
A chest x-ray and medical examination for everyone 15 and over, done before you apply, with a panel physician.
Police character certificate
Police certificates under 6 months old for everyone 17 and over, from every country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Needed in some situations
Nikah Nama / Marriage Registration Certificate
Your marriage certificate and evidence of a genuine relationship, if your partner applies with you.
Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA)
Pakistan exit requirement, not a visa document: when you leave Pakistan you must show a NIMS/NADRA vaccination certificate including polio (the old paper card is no longer accepted, and since 14 September 2026 airports check a NADRA-integrated vaccination record). Verify current rules.
Can support your application
Employer reference or leave letter (NOC)
Evidence of any skilled work in New Zealand you claim points for: full time and at the required pay.
Where to apply in Pakistan
The mission does not take visa applications at its counter: you apply in the ways listed below.
New Zealand High Commission in Colombo (covers Pakistan)
High commissionLevel 24, One Galle Face Tower, 1A Centre Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Does not take visa applications at its counter. New Zealand has no embassy in Pakistan. The High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka covers Pakistan but handles no visas: you apply online with Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Ways to apply
Online portalApply online with Immigration New Zealand
Apply and pay online by card; most applicants never hand in their passport.
Official source: Fees, decision times and where to apply (Pakistan)
Visa centreNew Zealand Visa Application Centre (VFS Global)
By appointment: for your passport when INZ asks for it, and for the few visas that still take paper applications. Service fee PKR 8,400 per application.
In Karachi
Official source: Offices outside New Zealand and visa application centres
MFAT also lists a New Zealand Consulate General in Karachi; it is not a visa office.
How to apply, step by step
Get a skilled job offer
A full-time job (30 hours or more), permanent or for at least 12 months, with an accredited employer, paid at least NZD 35 an hour (NZD 52.50 for skill level 4 or 5 jobs). Never pay anyone for a job offer: Immigration New Zealand warns that job offer scams are common in South Asia, and declines an AEWV where money was offered or paid for the job.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident VisaCount your points
You need 6 points from one category (an overseas doctorate 6, master's 5, bachelor's 4; or pay of 3, 2 or 1.5 times NZD 35 an hour: 6, 4 or 3), plus up to 3 for skilled work in New Zealand. Overseas qualifications need an NZQA assessment. This check covers the points pathway only: the Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways need New Zealand work, and points from a New Zealand registration are not counted here.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident VisaEnglish, health and police
IELTS 6.5 overall (or equal) taken in person in the last 2 years; chest x-ray and medical for everyone 15 and over; police certificates from every country where you lived 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
English language requirements for skilled residence visasExpression of Interest and invitation
Submit your EOI online for free: INZ tells you straight away whether you meet the requirements, and invites you to apply within 4 months.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident VisaApply
Apply online and pay NZD 6,450. INZ decides 80% of applications under the current rules within 3.5 months.
Fees, decision times and where to apply (Pakistan)
Questions people ask
How much does the New Zealand Skilled Migrant visa cost from Pakistan?
Visa fee and immigration levy: NZ$6,450 (about PKR 1,001,000). Fees change, so check the official fee page before you pay.
Fees, decision times and where to apply (Pakistan) (opens in a new tab)How long does the New Zealand Skilled Migrant visa take from Pakistan?
80% of applications under the current rules within 3.5 months (INZ, October 2026).
Fees, decision times and where to apply (Pakistan) (opens in a new tab)What documents do I need for the New Zealand Skilled Migrant visa from Pakistan?
The usual documents are: Passport, Passport-size photograph (destination specification), Job offer / employment contract, Degree certificate, English language test result, Immigration medical exam (panel physician), and Police character certificate. Depending on your situation, you may also need: Nikah Nama / Marriage Registration Certificate and Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA).
Where do I apply for the New Zealand Skilled Migrant visa in Pakistan?
New Zealand High Commission in Colombo (covers Pakistan) does not take visa applications at its counter. Ways to apply: Apply online with Immigration New Zealand and New Zealand Visa Application Centre (VFS Global).
Can I get New Zealand residence directly from Pakistan?
Only in narrow cases: with an accredited job offer and an overseas doctorate, or pay of at least NZD 105 an hour. An overseas master's needs 1 year of skilled work in New Zealand and a bachelor's 1.5 years, so most people first work there on an AEWV.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (opens in a new tab)How many points does my degree give for the Skilled Migrant visa?
An overseas doctorate gives 6, a master's 5 (with a bachelor's) and a bachelor's 4, after an NZQA assessment. Points from a qualification, pay and registration cannot be added together.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (opens in a new tab)What changed for the Skilled Migrant visa in August 2026?
From 24 August 2026 it has three pathways, New Zealand degrees are worth a point more than overseas ones, there is one wage threshold (NZD 35 an hour) and red and amber lists limit some jobs.
Final details about changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (opens in a new tab)