[papayaxu]

I have checked a lot of information on immigration website. But I just confused about one question: I had 6 years work experience on IT area, that's belong to the long term skilled shortage. But my BA degree is totally not related to my work, could I get the bonus points from my work experience?

That is very important for me, if count on the work experience, I could get more than 130 points, but without that, I only got around 100 points!

Anyone has any idea on that? Thanks in advance!

[TheNaylors]

Hi & Welcome to the forum.

If claiming bonus points for experience in an area on the shortages list you do normally have to have a qualification in the same field. I think NZIS are quite strict on it be honest and even if the title of the degree is slightly different but covers the area of experience...you may still need to be prepared to argue your point through transcripts etc.

[JandM]

Welcome to the forum. :)

There are many members of the forum who work in IT, but who originally qualified in something else - after all, IT is pretty recent. I THINK people have said that a certain number of years' experience can count for points. No doubt someone who has done this can explain more.

[elzahn]

I've done this - submitted my EOI - got selected - and then thrown back into the pool again after point being subtracted. Unfortenately you can claim the 50 points for your BA qualification and the points for work experience but NO bonus points for either qualification OR work experience.

Here is the reply from the CO:

I am not satisfied you meet this policy for the following reasons:

• You are claiming bonus points for your work experience as an IT Professional.
• The Long Term Skill Shortage list states that IT Professionals must have a Degree-level qualification (Level 7) majoring in computer science, information science or information technology AND three years of relevant work experience.
• You have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.
• Your qualification does not meet the specific requirements of the Long Term Skills Shortage List in this occupation.

[JandM]

I have checked a lot of information on immigration website. But I just confused about one question: I had 6 years work experience on IT area, that's belong to the long term skilled shortage. But my BA degree is totally not related to my work, could I get the bonus points from my work experience?

That is very important for me, if count on the work experience, I could get more than 130 points, but without that, I only got around 100 points!

Anyone has any idea on that? Thanks in advance!
So this last post is the bad news. But on the other hand, you have 'around 100 points'. Well, IS it 100 points? - because people have managed to be selected with that.

The other possibility is to go to NZ and get yourself a job (and therefore a work visa), and at that point your points total for PR will immediately rise.

[papayaxu]

Thanks all! Thanks JandM:

In my case, it will be just 100 without the work experience. So maybe I will try! I think it worth trying!

[elzahn]

Well - ours has been thrown back into the pool with 100 points - so the EOI wasn't cancelled - they say if you've got a 100 points you qualify to enter the pool - so hopefully that means you might be selected - but probably only towards the end of the year - we haven't been reselected with 100 points (yet!!)

[Ana&Steve]

if you've got a 100 points you qualify to enter the pool - so hopefully that means you might be selected - but probably only towards the end of the year
remember to resubmit your EOI around August if you aren't selected in 6 months. Good luck!

[Syed]

My CO also tried to thrown me back, but she was not successful. She was objecting on my degree, which later on NZQA assessed at level 9. Getting bonus points are difficult, because my Master's degree and 5 year experience was both in IT, I finally got bonus points.
For IT professionals, Experience and Degree must be in the same area.
Oh let me remind you, Both Experience and Degree must be from recognized companies and institutes as well.

hope this can help.