[elzahn]

I'm really struggling to fill in the EOI. I've got a B.A. Hons degree in Psychology which is on the list of recognised qualifications (with other words 50 points) but then also an IT diploma which will probably be only level 5 on NZQ list. Then I've got 8 years experience as programmer - so would like to know if I can claim 25 points for 8 years relevant work experience as well as 15 points for the 6 and more years of work experience in absolute skill shortage even though my qualification (that counts) is not in IT. It seems like only a qualification in IT on level 7 counts towards qualification points.

Some people on this forum said that they had no problem with this. (Qualification not matching up to work experience) While other say that thier points were subtracted. I really need help with this PLEASE!!

[JandM]

The people already in NZ will mostly be online from eight hours' time or thereabouts. They're the ones who will most likely be able to help.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.:)

[Trigirl]

you can claim the 50 qualification points for your degree. but assuming your diploma is only level 7 then you can't claim the experience points as you don't have the relevant qualification to back it up. lots and lots of people have had their applications selected then returned to the pool for this.

[elzahn]

According to the EOI pdf on the government website - they say the following:

SM11.10 Requirements for recognition
Work experience is recognised and qualifies for points if it meets the requirements set out at (a) and (b) below:
a. A visa or immigration officer must be satisfied that work experience is:
i relevant to the principal applicant’s* current skilled employment in New Zealand or offer of skilled employment
in New Zealand (see SM7); or
ii relevant to the principal applicant’s* recognised qualification (see SM14); or
iii skilled, because it required, or enabled the principal applicant* to gain specialist, technical, or management
skills and experience relevant to an occupation that is included in the lists of occupations held at Appendix 11
or Appendix 12.
b. Work experience must also have been gained in a labour market that is comparable to the New Zealand labour
market unless:
i the work experience meets the requirements set out at SM13.20 for work experience in an area of absolute
skills shortage; or
ii the principal applicant* has current skilled employment in New Zealand or an offer of skilled employment in
New Zealand (see SM7).

So - can't I claim points for work experience on a iii above without the qualification? Or at least on a level 5 qualification combined with the work experience?

[PhilD]

I've submitted and claimed the work experience with a similar situation.

Immigration agent reckons I won't win the fight, though. I'll be interested to see other opinions.

You mention a pdf: where is it located on the NZIS site?

[dusk]

i think the points for non relevant qualification only refer to the 50 points and not the bonus points.

from my situation:
I had an arts degree on the recognised list and also in an area of shortage, but not related to my work experience in IT, so I claimed points for the qualification in shortage area and separately claimed points for work experience in IT (I have no IT qualifications) I also had a job offer in IT, not sure if that makes any difference

[benrus]

Hi,

Just want to share my past experience. I had similar case whereas my EOI (140pts, no job offer) was selected 14Feb. My skilled experience (more than 10 yrs) is in IT. However, my qualification is non-IT related and was assessed by NZQA as level4 only. After a month, CO notified me that my points have to be lowered to 125. I was told that I cannot claim 6 years work experience in Area of Absolute Skills Shortage due to following:

Work Experience in Area of Absolute Skills Shortage (ASSA): 0 points ***
To qualify for bonus points, you have to meet the requirements set out on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL), (Appendix 6).
The requirement for Computer application Engineer is Degree level qualification (Level 7) majoring in computer science, information science or information technology.
Since your degree level is not comparable to degree level 7 and your major area of study is not a computer science, information science or information technology, hence we are not able to award any bonus points for your qualification.

I made an appeal but was not successful. I was advised that my EOI of 125 pts with no job offer, with no work experience or qualification in ASSA, may still be selected since minimum selection criteria may change at every fortnightly selection.

On April9, my EOI (125pts) was among the 135 EOI selected without job offer, with no work experience or qualification in ASSA.

As of this writing, I'm still waiting for good news if Decision will be successfull.
So my advise is just submit your EOI and see how it goes ...:)