[Scibby]

First of all I would like to say hello to the forum and say I have really enjoyed reading your posts. It has been very helpful for my wife and I as we discuss the pros and cons of moving to New Zealand.


I have just over 10 years of experience in the IT field in the United States. My background is in Network Engineering but I am also the Manager of all network, helpdesk and telecom staff. I have a Bachelors degree from a College that is accredited by a body on the NZQA list. The question comes as my degree is in geography and not related to my job. Can I still count my degree as 50 points on the EOI and my ten years of experience in IT? It seem clear that I can claim no extra points in a skills shortage area with out a CS degree but I am hoping I don't lose my 50 points for getting my degree in geography.

Scott

[The Hodges]

Welcome to the forum, it as been a great source of information to us.

Your are able to gain the 50 points for your degree and then, also, the extra points for the years of work experience you have.

Good Luck :)

[Trigirl]

hello!

yes 50pts for degree. yes points for work exp. no points for skills shortage area as degree isn't in that area.

so yes - you were right! hope that gives you plenty of points.

[Scibby]

Thank you for the information. I am at least breaking the 100 point barrier with some cushion. I am going to try and submit an expression of interest without a job offer and see how that goes. It seems to us if we could get that successfully through we would be under a little less pressure.

Scott and Libby

[dbonnett]

Welcome!

First of all I would like to say hello to the forum and say I have really enjoyed reading your posts. It has been very helpful for my wife and I as we discuss the pros and cons of moving to New Zealand.

I have just over 10 years of experience in the IT field in the United States. My background is in Network Engineering but I am also the Manager of all network, helpdesk and telecom staff. I have a Bachelors degree from a College that is accredited by a body on the NZQA list. The question comes as my degree is in geography and not related to my job. Can I still count my degree as 50 points on the EOI and my ten years of experience in IT? It seem clear that I can claim no extra points in a skills shortage area with out a CS degree but I am hoping I don't lose my 50 points for getting my degree in geography.

Scott

I'm another Geographer in IT (University of Maryland -> Fear the Turtle!) and I wrestled with this exact question. We submitted with 125 points and just got Decision Successful last week (now waiting for the letter from London :cheers) Anyways, the relevant note is here: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/londonbranchhome/notesusapplicants/
To wit:

NZIS sez:
My degree is not in the area I have been working in for 15 years? Do I still get qualification points?

If the degree is on the List of Recognised Qualifications or NZQA have indicated that it is at a level at which we award points you are eligible to claim those points.

It appears that as long as your degree is from an accredited school, then you are fine. I did claim points for skills/experience in a shortage area and didn't have any questions from NZIS (so far).

[Trigirl]

On the skills shortage list (Appendix 6 to the operational manual) it gives a particular column that says "In order to claim bonus points for qualifications in an area of absolute shortage under the Skilled Migrant Category OR the General Skills Category, applicants must have the following qualifications."

For IT it varies depending on the job but in most cases its "Degree level qualification majoring in computer science, information science or information technology"

[dbonnett]

On the skills shortage list (Appendix 6 to the operational manual) it gives a particular column that says "In order to claim bonus points for qualifications in an area of absolute shortage under the Skilled Migrant Category OR the General Skills Category, applicants must have the following qualifications."

For IT it varies depending on the job but in most cases its "Degree level qualification majoring in computer science, information science or information technology"

I saw (and agonized over) that section as well - I can't just tell if the quote about US applicants supercedes this or not. Given the "Decision Successful", I was assuming I was given bonus points, but maybe not (I don't have the packet yet).