Would you like to know if you can apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa?
Our Points Guide will help you assess if you should apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Minimum Requirements of the Skilled Migrant Category
To qualify for a resident visa under this policy, you must meet all of the following minimum requirements:
- You must have an acceptable standard of health;
- You must be of good character;
- You must have proven English language capabilities;
- You must be under the age limit of 56 years;
- You must reach a minimum points score of 100.
Can you reach the minimum points score?
Calculate your points score for your Expression of Interest.
Points for skilled employment
|
Current skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand |
50
|
Bonus points for a skilled job or offer of skilled employment
|
10
|
|
|
A region outside of Auckland |
30
|
|
Partner's skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand |
20
|
|
High remuneration (introduced under the new policy) |
20
|
Skilled Work experience
|
Two years |
10
|
|
Four years |
20
|
|
Six years |
30
|
|
Eight years |
40
|
|
Ten years or more |
50
|
Bonus points for skilled work experience gained in New Zealand
|
One year or more |
10 |
Bonus points for work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage
|
2 to 5 years |
10
|
|
Six years or more |
15
|
Recognised Qualifications
|
Recognised level 3 qualification (if included in the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment) introduced under the new policy |
40
|
|
Recognised level 4-6 qualification |
40
|
|
Recognised level 7 or 8 qualification |
50
|
|
Recognised level 9 or 10 qualification |
70
|
Bonus points for qualifications
|
Two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised New Zealand Bachelor degree (level 7) |
10
|
|
One year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification |
10
|
|
Two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification |
15
|
|
Partner qualification - recognised level 7 or 8 |
10
|
|
Partner qualification - recognised level 9+ |
20
|
Age
|
20 - 39 years |
30
|
|
40 - 44 years |
20
|
|
45 - 49 years |
10
|
|
50 - 55 years |
5
|
Please note that our Points Guide can only give you a very first overview.
In the following video, we explain how the points system works and what you need to know:
What happens if you reach the minimum points score of 100?
If you score 100 points or more and meet health, character, language and age requirements, you can submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) and might subsequently be eligible to apply for a Resident Visa under the Skilled Migrant Category.
However, since 2016 Immigration New Zealand has been only considering applications with a minimum point score of 160, given the high competition for EOIs.
If you submit your Expression of Interest and your points calculation is incorrect, it can be complicated to remedy. This is why it is essential to ensure you have an accurate application before proceeding.
We strongly advise our clients not to submit an Expression of Interest unless we can be confident that they have an excellent chance of being selected.
What happens if you do not reach the point score of 160 yet?
In most cases, you will need a job offer in New Zealand to have enough points for your Expression of Interest to be selected.
Once you have an offer of skilled employment, your chances of applying for a Resident Visa under the Skilled Migrant Category are likely to increase.
You may also be eligible for other immigration policies in New Zealand.
Most applicants will need a Job Offer for their EOIs to be successful
In the latest Immigration New Zealand EOI results, 9 out of 10 successful applicants had a job offer already. This underlined how crucial it is to secure the offer of employment before your EOI is submitted.
The situation, however, presents a challenge, as employers prefer to hire applicants already holding a visa. This is what we call the Catch 22 Dilemma (You need a job offer to obtain your visa, but you need a visa to secure a job offer).
How can I find a job in New Zealand?
To secure a job offer, you will need to understand the local labour market, have a competitive CV and Cover letter tailored to the New Zealand market. It will be crucial to know how to successfully network, as well as being able to assure employers that your work visa processing will be fast and frictionless.
All this might sound daunting. However, our Job Search Coaches have been assisting migrants like you for years, and they have proven that this is possible.
Tips to search for a job as a migrant in New Zealand
If you are looking for help tailored to your specific situation, you can read more about our Job Search Program or fill in our Free Assessment form for our Licensed Immigration Advisers' feedback on your case.
Free Immigration Assessment
Read more about how to become a New Zealand resident as a Skilled Migrant:
- The resident visa application process under Skilled Migrant Category
- Will you be able to claim points for your qualifications?
- Will you be able to claim bonus points for your professional expertise?
- Is your profession on the Long Term Skill Shortage List?
- Do you have to be registered in New Zealand?
- Will you meet the English language requirements?
- Have you reached the age limit of the SMC?
Ask our Licensed Immigration Advisers
If you want to find out what it takes to migrate to New Zealand ask our Licensed Immigration Adviser Dr.Carsten Hallwass for a Free Assessment.
Free Assessment