Is the Skilled Migrant Category or the Straight to Residence faster to get?

The Straight to Residence (STR) is typically faster, around 1–3 months, versus 1–18 months for the Skilled Migrant Category. Real timelines depend on the country's caseload and how complete your application is.

Which costs more, the SMC or the STR?

The Straight to Residence (STR) costs more, about $4,300 in official fees, versus $3,900 for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Skilled Migrant Category or the Straight to Residence?

The SMC offers a direct path to permanent residency, while the STR offers a direct path to permanent residency. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Does the SMC or the STR need a job offer?

The Straight to Residence (STR) requires a job offer or employer sponsor, while the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) does not, you can apply on your own profile. That makes the SMC more accessible if you don't yet have an employer lined up.

Skilled Migrant Category vs Straight to Residence

New Zealand · SMCvs New Zealand · STR

Quick answerUpdated 2026-06-10

The STR is the faster route (1–3 months), the SMC is cheaper on official fees ($3,900), both lead to permanent residency. Which fits depends on your nationality, profession, and whether you already have a job offer, the breakdown below maps each visa to a profile.

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

Both visas grant New Zealand residence, but they qualify you in completely different ways. The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is points-based and needs no employer: if you can score 6 points from skilled work, qualifications, and experience, you self-petition for residence. Straight to Residence (STR) skips points entirely but requires a job offer in a Green List occupation, and in return it's the fastest route there is, with PR granted on arrival in 1-3 months. The question is whether you hold a Green List job offer or would rather qualify on your own profile.

Further reading: NZ Skilled Migrant Category guide · AEWV and work-to-residence guide

Section 01

At a glance

SMC

STR

Processing time

1–18 months

1–3 months

Application fee

$3,900

$4,300

Initial validity

5 yrs

Path to PR

Yes

Points-based

Yes

Employer sponsor

Not required

Required

Minimum salary

—

$48,000/yr

Language test

Required

Verified

2026-06-10

2026-05-11

Section 02

Which one fits you?

01
Employer required?
Pick SMC
No employer needed, SMC is self-petitioned on points
Pick STR
Requires a Green List job offer
02
How you qualify
Pick SMC
Score 6 points from job, qualifications, experience
Pick STR
Hold a role on the Green List, no points test
03
Speed to residence
Pick SMC
1-18 months depending on prioritisation
Pick STR
Fastest: 1-3 months, PR on arrival

Section 03

Common questions

Is the Skilled Migrant Category or the Straight to Residence faster to get?: The Straight to Residence (STR) is typically faster, around 1–3 months, versus 1–18 months for the Skilled Migrant Category. Real timelines depend on the country's caseload and how complete your application is.
Which costs more, the SMC or the STR?: The Straight to Residence (STR) costs more, about $4,300 in official fees, versus $3,900 for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.
Can I get permanent residency with the Skilled Migrant Category or the Straight to Residence?: The SMC offers a direct path to permanent residency, while the STR offers a direct path to permanent residency. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.
Does the SMC or the STR need a job offer?: The Straight to Residence (STR) requires a job offer or employer sponsor, while the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) does not, you can apply on your own profile. That makes the SMC more accessible if you don't yet have an employer lined up.

Section 04

Read the full pathway