[beater]

I received an email spam from a NZ immigration consulting company recently which made the following statement:

"IT Experience Versus Qualifications

Immigration New Zealand has recognised that those with IT experience often do not have tertiary qualifications and as such is moving towards recognising experience and industry qualifications. This is great news for IT professionals. The right argument can really enhance your position. If you are in IT ask me how I can help."

Have anyone heard anything about NZIS "moving towards recognising experience and industry qualifications"? Also, the wording makes it sound like the immigration consultant have ways around the normal red tape of the points system. Or is this just word play that consulting agency uses to lure new customers? I'd like to hear other opinions.

[KelvinAng]

It's not entirely false... beginning March this year there was a new rule of sorts that allow an applicant to substitute 5 years of related IT work experience for a degree.

For example my degree (a basic Bachelor of Science with Business minor, from the Open University, UK) was graded as a Level 6 instead of 7, and Immigration would not award me points for my current job in NZ unless I can show that I have a Level 7 certification or had 5 years related work experience.

[beater]

Thanks, that is very interesting. I also just read your year-long immigration roller coaster ride (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18956) and I think I understand now exactly how you felt.

I would be very happy if there was some way my work experience could help to get past the points issue, but I'm not sure how to approach the issue. At this stage I still have a case officer as my EOI has not yet been officially rejected. I've got a feeling it will not bring me anywhere, but do you think I should ask her about this?

[andygjones]

This is very interesting to hear. I currently only get 95 points as I don't have a degree but I do have 10 years experience in IT/programming and am on the long term shortage list. I was looking at flying over next year to try and secure a job offer but would much rather go with the EOI/permanent residency route. Does anyone have any further details on this and wether it would be worth me submitting an EOI?

Many thanks

Andy

[adkck]

Andyjones,

Don't submit your EOI with 95 points, it will not be drawn out of the pool. You need at least 100 points to be considered. If you have no degree backing up your qualifications, you will not be able to claim any bonus points at all. Hubby and I have first hand experience with this. Like you wrote, your best bet to is secure a job offer and that will bump up your points for sure and greatly improve your changes of getting selected and an Invitation to Apply.

Good luck with your plans.:nice1

[KelvinAng]

Thanks, that is very interesting. I also just read your year-long immigration roller coaster ride (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18956) and I think I understand now exactly how you felt.

I would be very happy if there was some way my work experience could help to get past the points issue, but I'm not sure how to approach the issue. At this stage I still have a case officer as my EOI has not yet been officially rejected. I've got a feeling it will not bring me anywhere, but do you think I should ask her about this?

Hi beater,

Yes I'd ask the EOI officer for advice on how to further approach the matter.

If you have 5 years of more of related IT work experience, and have a job offer in New Zealand, there should be no reason why they will not award you points for this job offer (and these points for job offer is quite significant as in IT you also qualify for bonus points for being in an area of long-tern skills shortage, probably enough to push your points through to a very acceptable level). You do need to prove your related work experience (a testimonial, pay slips, tax returns, bank statements etc are all considered acceptable forms of evidence).