Choosing where to study? New Zealand's points rule could favour your master's

Visa guide · 2026-09-05 · 3 min read

Are you thinking about a master's degree in New Zealand? There is good news to understand. The rules for the Skilled Migrant Category resident visa have changed. The Skilled Migrant Category is a visa path for skilled workers who want to live in New Zealand for the long term. It uses a points system, and you need six points to qualify on the points-based path.

Before and after

Before the change, a master's degree gave five points. That was one point short. Most graduates then worked for at least one year in a skilled job in New Zealand to fill the gap.

Now a full-time New Zealand master's degree can give all six points. You do not need that extra year of work to reach the number. This is the main change, and it is a helpful one for students who are choosing where to study.

Please read the small print

Six points from your degree does not mean the visa is certain. These points still matter:

You must also have a bachelor's degree.
You need at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand for the master's.
You still need skilled work, or a job offer from an accredited employer. This means an employer approved by Immigration New Zealand to hire migrants.
Your pay must reach the wage threshold. It is generally around $35/hour for ANZSCO skill level 1–3 jobs.
Health, character and English-language rules still apply.

Think of it this way. The degree gives you the points. The job is still your own task.

Why the job is the hard part

Many graduates find that getting a suitable job is harder than getting the points. Some jobs are open only to citizens or residents. Experienced people who lost their jobs are looking at the same openings. Employers often do not want to pay a new graduate at or above the median wage, and the visa wage threshold usually needs that level.

So start looking early. Many students wait until they finish their studies. A better plan is to learn about employers in your field while you are still studying.

Papers to prepare in Vietnam

Good preparation saves you stress later. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have certified English translations of my Vietnamese documents? The visa rules may ask for them.
If a police certificate is requested, do I know how to get the Judicial Record Certificate (Phiếu lý lịch tư pháp), which is the usual police clearance for Vietnamese citizens?
Does the visa or my employer need an English test, such as IELTS or PTE?

Please stay safe too. Deal only with licensed organisations and real employers. Never pay an unlicensed broker, and be careful with anyone who asks for money upfront to secure a job or a visa. You can read the official rules on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Is there interest?

Yes. Immigration New Zealand had received 1,101 applications under the revised category by the end of August. Most were on the points-based path. International student numbers in New Zealand are already above pre-pandemic levels, and roughly a third of the current group studies at master's level. That means more students will compete for the same accredited-employer jobs.

Your next step is simple. Check that your course is a full-time master's, and check that you hold a bachelor's degree. Then plan your job search. With good preparation, you can walk this path step by step.

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