How does the
Skilled Migrant Category Work?
For potential Skilled Migrants the Immigration Service uses a points system to decide whether you will be invited to apply for residence. You begin by submitting an 'expression of interest' to the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS).
To lodge an expression of interest you need to:
be of good health
be of good character
have a reasonable standard of English Click for popup box with details
be no older than 55 years of age
score 100 or more points in the points test below
Points are awarded as follows:
Skilled employment:
· Current employment in NZ for 12 months or more (ongoing) 60
· Offer of employment in New Zealand or current employment
in NZ for less than 12 months (but minimum of 3 months) 50
Bonus points for employment or offer of employment in:
· An identified future growth area,
identified cluster,
or area of absolute skills shortage
5
· Region outside Auckland 10
· Spouse / partner employment or offer of employment 10
Relevant work experience: (Your experience must be in a comparable labour market Click for popup box with details )
· 2 years 10
· 4 years 15
· 6 years 20
· 8 years 25
· 10 years 30
Additional bonus points if work experience in New Zealand:
· 1 years 5
· 2 years 10
· 3 years or more 15
Additional bonus points for work experience in an identified
future growth area, identified cluster or area of absolute
skills shortage:
· 2 to 5 years 10
· 6 years or more 15
· If your job is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, further bonuses are available of 10 extra points for your qualifications and 10 extra points for an offer of skilled employment.
Qualifications:
· Recognised basic qualification (e.g. trade qualification,
diploma, bachelors' degree) 50
· Recognised post-graduate qualification (e.g. Masters degree or higher) 55
Bonus points for:
· Recognised NZ qualification (and at least two years study in NZ) 10
· Qualification in an identified future growth area, identified cluster or area of absolute skill shortage 5
· Spouse / partner qualifications 10
Age (20 to 55 yrs)
· 20-29 30
· 30-39 25
· 40-44 20
· 45-49 10
· 50-55 5
Close Family in New Zealand
· Close family support in New Zealand 10
Close family is adult brothers, sisters, adult children (17 years and over) and parents of either the principal applicant or their partner.
The Steps You Need To Take:
Step 1: You complete an initial self assessment online
Use the Immigration Service's Points Calculator
here.
Step 2: Still online, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
You can do this here.
Step 3: Expressions of Interest are ranked from highest to lowest points.
People who score 140 points and above on their EOI for residence will automatically be selected.
People who score between 100 and 140 points and have a New Zealand job (or job offer) will be selected in sufficient numbers to meet the New Zealand Immigration Programme numbers.
If enough places are available, other EOIs may be selected on the basis of specific criteria which the Minister of Immigration will set every six months.
If your EOI is not selected from the pool the first time it will remain in the pool for three months. If it is still unsuccessful you can lodge another EOI if you wish to.
Step 4: You are invited to apply for residence
At this stage you will need to send the Immigration Service all the necessary documents to support the claims you made in your EOI - such as passports, qualifications and relevant certificates.
Step 5: Decision-making
The Immigration Service will assess your application for residence against Government residence policy and look at your ability to settle successfully. Further verification of some of the information you provided in your EOI will be undertaken. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, your application can be approved with a permanent residence visa or a visa allowing you to live in NZ while looking for work.
Skilled applicants without a job offer can be granted permanent residence. This includes but is not limited to people with qualifications and work experience in areas of absolute skill shortage or future growth. Examples include nurses, teachers, ICT and the creative industries.
