THE SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY RESIDENT VISA
Introduction
This highly popular ‘Skilled Migrant Visa’ leads to the grant of a New Zealand resident visa to candidates who have skills that are needed in New Zealand, that are able to make use or transfer these skills, and that will successfully settle and contribute to the country.
The Points system
It’s a points-based systems whereby points are claimed under various criteria such as age, qualifications, work experience, or a job offer in New Zealand. A candidate will see their Expression Of Interest accepted and be Invited To Apply (ITA) for residence if they meet at least 160 points and if they satisfy mandatory health and character requirements.
Skilled employment
For skilled employment, an applicant gets 50 points for either skilled job offer in New Zealand, or if the applicant is already working in a skilled job in New Zealand for less than 12 months. If the applicant is working in a skilled job in New Zealand for more than 12 months, they get 60 points. If the job is outside the Auckland Region, a further 30 bonus points are allocated.
However, INZ only recognises certain jobs as being skilled, and these occupations are contained on Appendix 6 in the INZ manual. In addition, the applicant must also meet the work experience and qualifications prescribed to that job by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
Qualifications
For qualifications, an applicant gets 40 points recognised level 4-6 qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma), 50 points for a recognised level 7 or 8 qualification (e.g. bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s degree with honours), and 70 points for recognised level 9 or 10 post-graduate qualifications (master’s degree, doctorate). Foreign qualifications must be verified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority before points can be claimed, although there are numerous exceptions to this rule. This process can take several months
If the applicant has studied in NZ, they can get 10 points for either two years full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised bachelor’s degree New Zealand qualification, or completing one year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification (15 points for 2 years’ post-graduate study).
Work experience in skilled employment
Under this category, one gets the following points for skilled employment in certain countries:
10 points: 2 years
20 points: 4 years
30 points: 6 years
40points: 8 years
50 points: 10 years
Age
Points for age are allocated on the following basis:
30 points: 20–39 years
20 points: 40–44 years
10 points: 45–49 years
5 points: 50–55 years
Spouse
If an applicant’s spouse has a skilled job or skilled job offer in NZ, they can get 20 points. Also if the spouse holds a level 4-6 qualification they can get 10 points, and if their partner holds a level 7+ qualification they get 20 points.
Because attaining the set level of points is dependent on so many factors, it is essential to have your eligibility assessed by a licensed immigration advisor to avoid costly disappointment. Once you know that you are eligible the application is a two part process with the initial step being an online Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted to immigration. If your EOI is selected by immigration then you will be invited to apply for residence in New Zealand.
The Selection Process
The process commences with lodging an Expression of Interest form, either on a paper form or online, and paying the appropriate fee.
INZ makes a selection out of the pool. Applicants with 160 points or more are generally automatically accepted without having to go into the pool.
Once an applicant’s EOI has been selected, they are notified by mail. An immigration officer is then assigned to the application. Recently this has taken several months.
When the immigration officer is assigned, it is requested that one verifies their claims in their EOI, plus supply a medical, a police clearance certificate, and proof of English ability. Four months are given to submit all this, otherwise the application lapses.
After all this is provided and verified, one is then given a letter saying one is approved for Residence. However, residence is not granted until the applicant’s passport is sent to INZ, and the prescribed fee is paid. Three months are given to do this, otherwise the offer of residence lapses.