| NewZealand is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In early 2004, the entire Skilled Migration scheme for New Zealand was overhauled. The new Skilled Migrant Category (formerly called General Skills) has been designed to attract highly-skilled migrants to New Zealand, particularly in those industries and regions of New Zealand experiencing growth and skills shortages.
The Scheme has been designed to comprise two stages: the lodging of an Expression of Interest and the Invitation to Apply for Residency. These stages and the process involved are explained in more detail in the sections below.
Please note that it is unlikely you will qualify for residency unless you have a job offer in a particular industry or in a low-growth region in New Zealand. Presently, you need to score a minimum of 100 points to be able to lodge an Expression of Interest. Applications in the Expression of Interest pool that are being invited to make a Residency Application are, on average, scoring at least 165 points.
Pre-requisites for residency
To be considered for immigration to New Zealand as a Skilled Migrant, you must meet the following pre-requisites and basic requirements before lodging an Expression of Interest.
you must be in good health
you must be of good character
you must have a reasonable standard of English
you must be under the age of 56 years
Furthermore you will need to meet the minimum threshold of 100 points to be able to lodge an Expression of Interest.
Check our points calculator to see if you meet the pre-requisites and minimum points requirement for registering an Expression of Interest.
Points System
The New Zealand Skilled Migrant points system is designed to allow Expressions of Interest to be ranked in order so that the New Zealand Immigration authorities can make invitations to apply for residence to those migrants who can offer the most to New Zealand.
The points test and values are set out in more detail in our self-assessment points calculator, but in general, you can be allocated points for the following:
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having an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand. |
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bonus points for employment in areas of growth. |
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bonus points for employment in an absolute skills shortage area. |
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bonus points for employment within certain clusters. |
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bonus points for employment outside of Auckland. |
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work experience. |
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qualifications. |
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bonus points for New Zealand qualifications awarded after at least two years' study. |
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age |
Expression of Interest Pool
If you can claim at least 100 points under the points test then you can register an expression of interest. You must include details of your health, character, age and English language ability on the form, as well as on the factors that will earn you points.
Workpermit.com can assist you with lodging the online application to ensure that all relevant information has been supplied.
Business Visas
Citizens from all Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies except Australia who want to take up temporary residence for business purposes in New Zealand must apply for a work visa, unless their stay will be for no longer than three months in any one year and they will only be in New Zealand to discuss and negotiate business arrangements. Those people may enter as visitors.
A work visa is an endorsement in your passport to allow you to enter or re-enter New Zealand. It shows you have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a work permit when you arrive. The visa may be single for one journey or multiple for more than one journey and may be issued for up to three years' duration.
Family visas
The objective of New Zealand's Family Category Policy is to strengthen and reunite families and communities. The New Zealand unmarried partner, fiancé(e) and marriage visa is designed to help applicants move to New Zealand to join their spouse, fiancé or unmarried partner (same sex relationships included). This visa is also referred to as a Partnership visa. This guide will also provide you with information about parent and grandparent visas.
The Family Category is available to you if you:
Are in a genuine and stable marriage or de facto relationship (whether heterosexual or same sex) with a New Zealand citizen or resident who sponsors their application; or
Have immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents and who live permanently in New Zealand; and
Are the dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents.
For More Information:
Simply send us an e-mail at mail@visahouse.net
and one of our immigration consultants will respond to you.
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