Skilled Migrant Category

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) offers you the opportunity to move to New Zealand to work and live permanently.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for residence under SMC you must:

be 55 or under
be healthy
be of good character
speak English.

To decide if you can apply we use a points system. You get points for age, experience, employability and qualifications.

How to apply

There are two steps:

You complete an Expression of Interest, telling us about yourself, your family, your skills and your experience.
If you have enough points, we accept your Expression of Interest, and send you an Invitation to Apply. You complete it, and return it to us with your supporting documents.

Find out more

Points indicator – Gives you an idea of how many points you could claim when you apply.
Can I apply? – Gives you the basic requirements you have to meet, and more about the points system.
How to apply – How you lodge your Expression of Interest, and what you’ll need to provide later with you application.
After you’re approved – Some things you need to know about when your application has been accepted.

Points and bonus points

All of the available points are listed below. 100 points will get your EOI into the ‘Pool’, but the more points you have, the more likely you are to be selected.

Age

30 points: 20-29 years
25 points: 30-39 years
20 points: 40-44 years
10 points: 45-49 years
5 points: 50-55 years.

Close family

10 points for close family in New Zealand.

Skilled employment

50 points: job offer
50 points: working in a skilled job in New Zealand for less than 12 months
60 points: working in a skilled job in New Zealand for more than 12 months.

Bonus points

10 points: work in an identified future growth area
10 points: work in an area of absolute skills shortage
10 points: work in a region outside Auckland
20 points if partner has a skilled job or job offer.

Work experience in skilled employment

10 points: 2 years
15 points: 4 years
20 points: 6 years
25 points: 8 years
30 points: 10 years.

Bonus points for work experience in New Zealand:

Five points: one year
10 points: two years
15 points: three or more years.

And if the work experience is in an identified future growth area:

10 points: 2 to 5 years experience
15 points: 6 or more years experience.

And if the work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage:

10 points: 2 to 5 years
15 points: 6 or more years.

Qualifications

40 points: recognised level 4-6 qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma)
50 points: recognised level 7 or 8 qualification (e.g. bachelor degree, bachelor degree with honours)
60 points: recognised level 9 or 10 post-graduate qualification (masters degree, doctorate)

Bonus points for qualifications:

10 points: two years full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised bachelor degree New Zealand qualification
10 points: One year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification
15 points: two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification
10 points: qualification in an identified future growth area
10 points: qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage
10 points if your partner holds a level 4-6 qualification
20 points: if your partner holds a level 7+ qualification.

Click the link for points calculator: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/

Categories: NZ immigraton