Overview
The Skilled Migrant Category is a points system based on factors such as age, work experience, your qualifications, and an offer of skilled employment. You must also be aged 55 or under, and meet English language, health, and character requirements.
This visa is for you if:
you want to live in New Zealand permanently and you have skills that can contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth. Your application is more likely to be accepted if you have employment in an area in which New Zealand has skills shortage.
Criteria you must meet
- You will need to have enough skills, experience and qualification to be invited to apply for residence.
- You will need to be 55 or under when you apply.
- You will need to speak English reasonably well.
With this Visa you can:
- You can live indefinitely
- Live, work and study in New Zealand.
- Include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under, in your application.
PROGRAM POINTS
The applicants have to satisfy the basic requirements to migrate under the skilled Independent visa.
| Parameter | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
Age |
29-39 | 30 |
| 40-44 | 20 | |
| 45-49 | 10 | |
| 50-55 | 5 | |
Skilled Employment in New Zealand |
Already Working in Skilled Employment in New Zealand | 50 |
| Work in Area of Absolute Skills Shortage | 10 | |
| Work outside Auckland | 30 | |
| Pay Above the High Remuneration Threshold | 20 | |
Work Experience |
10 Year or more | 50 |
| 8 Year | 40 | |
| 6 Year | 30 | |
| 4 Year | 20 | |
| 2 Year | 10 | |
| Work Experience in New Zealand | At Least One Year | 10 |
| Work Experience in an Area of Absolute Skills Shortage | 6 year or more | 15 |
| 2-5 years | 10 | |
Qualification |
Level 10 (Ph.D) | 70 |
| Level 9 (Masters) | 70 | |
| Level 8 ( Bachelors Hons, Post Graduate Diploma) | 50 | |
| Level 7 ( Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma) | 50 | |
| Level 3-6 | 40 | |
New Zealand Qualification that was studies full time in New Zealand |
Post Graduate Qualification- 2 years or more | 15 |
| Post Graduate Qualification- 1 years or more | 10 | |
| Bachelor Degree – 2 years or more | 10 | |
| Recognized Level 4-8 qualification completed before 25-July-2011 | 5 | |
| Any Recognized Qualification Started Before 25 July 2011 – 2 years or more | 5 | |
Partner with IELTS 6.5 Overall or Equivalent |
Partner working in Skilled Employment in New Zealand | 20 |
| Partner has offer of Skilled Employment from New Zealand | 20 | |
| Partner has level 9-10 Qualification | 20 | |
| Partner has Level 7-8 Qualification | 10 |
AREAS OF ABSOLUTE SKILLS SHORTAGE/LONG TERM SKILL SHORTAGE
New Zealand puts forward a host of opportunities to immigrants across the globe. New Zealand hires suitable migrants who fit their requirements. There are many job openings for specialists in several industries. Pertaining to these requirements, New Zealand has a recognized list of occupations called the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
ACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE TESTS
| S.No. | Test | Score Required (Overall) |
| 1 | IELTS | 6.5 |
| 2 | TOEFL ibt | 79 |
| 3 | PTE ACADEMIC | 58 |
| 4 | Cambridge First (FCE) for Schools | 76 |
- GT IELTS (or Equivalent) Required Main Applicant: 6.5 Overall
- Min. GT IELTS (or Equivalent)Required for Spouse if Points of Spouse Claimed: 6.5 Overall
- If points not being claimed against Spouse Qualification, then Language Test Result of Spouse not required.
- Min. Pass Marks/Points: 160
NEW ZEALAND CHARGES
| S.No. | Fee Structure | Fee |
| 1 | Qualification Assessment NZQF Qualification Assessment (Engineering) Qualification Assessment (IT Professions) |
NZD 746/Person |
| 2 | EOI (Expression of Interest Charges) | NZD 530/Application |
| 3 | Visa Fee | NZD 3085/Application |
NEW ZEALAND QULIFICATIONS FRAMEWOK (NZQF)
| Level | Qualification Type |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree |
| 9 | Master Degree |
| 8 | Bachelors Hons. Degree Post Graduate Diploma Post Graduate Certificate |
| 7 | Bachelor Degree Graduate Diploma Graduate Certificate |
| 6,5 | Diplomas |
| 4,3,2,1 | Certificates |