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A significant part of all applications (approx. 35% according to NZIS Statistics) is lodged under this in December 2003 newly introduced category.
The Skilled Migrant Category is based upon a points system awarding points for age (min. age 20 years, max. age 55 years), qualification, work experience, NZ-offer of employment. It also awards bonus points for special circumstances (e.g. offer of employment in areas of absolute shortage and/or outside the Auckland region, etc.).
Please click here for details on all achievable points
How does this system work?
Applicants who are able to score a minimum of 100 points can register their interest, the so-called "Expression of Interest" (EOI) with the NZIS. All EOIs are entered into a pool and applications will be selected from this pool on a regular basis (at present fortnightly). Before the pool drawing the NZIS announces the passmark and only those EOIs that meet that mark will be selected. Succesful applicants will then receive a written letter inviting them to lodge an application for permanent residence. Unselected EOIs will remain in the pool for a total of 3 months and are drawn out of the pool during that period only if they meet the passmark.
The selected EOIs are divided into two groups:
Group 1 consists of applicants with an NZ-offer of employment on-hand, current work permit holders and/or applicants who completed their studies in NZ. Once their application has been checked and accepted according to the initial EOI, they will be rewarded with the status of permanent residence. This is based on the fact that this group has already demonstrated an "ability to settle" and will pose only a minor risk to the NZ taxpayer and social system. They are expected to integrate into NZ society without any problems and to do well on a professional basis.
Group 2 are applicants who are not in the possession of a NZ-offer of employment or haven't completed their studies in NZ and therefore are yet to prove their "ability to settle". Applicants from this group (who will generally score less points than group 1 due to the missing job offer and/or applicable bonus points) are invited to a face-to-face interview in which they are required to demonstrate their settling abilities. Each case will be assessed on its own merits by the NZIS. Decisive factors for a positive interview outcome are qualification, professional and personal skills, work experience and a commanding knowledge of the English language. Successful applicants will be issued with a 2-year Work-to-Residence permit. This has to be regarded as a 2-year probationary period which can be converted into permanent residence. A main criteria for the award of residence status is whether the applicant has pursued regular, professional employment during this 2-year period.
What are the minimum requirements to register an Expression of Interest?
A minimum of 3-years of study/vocational-professional training which is considered to be equivalent to NZ-standard. Please note that most qualifications need to be reevaluated and require an assessment by the NZ Qualification Authority (NZQA) in Wellington. For details, please click here.
Additionally (and if English is not your first language), all applicants must demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of the English language by means of passing the IELTS-Test.
In order to maximize your overall score, a successful EOI should preferably include a NZ-offer of employment.
Special conditions may apply which are too manifold and complex to discuss here, so please contact us for details.
As with the "old" General Skills Category, the new Skilled Migrant Category produces a significant number of unsuccessful EOIs simply due to insufficient knowledge and preparation by the applicant. The reasons range from formal mistakes, language barriers, legal barriers/inexperience of the NZIS law to incomplete information supplied by some authorities.
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Please note that all inquiries from the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent are required to contact our Dubai office
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