New Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa opens on 9 October 2023
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Contents:
From 9 October 2023, the New Skilled Migrant Resident Visa comes into effect, with a simplified points system where applicants need six points to be granted residence.
INZ expects that the new simplified points system will result in faster decision times, with straight forward applications being decided within 6 to 8 weeks.
What is changing with the new Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa?
From 9 October 2023, applicants who wish to apply for the new Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa will need to meet one of the following:
- occupational registration (where an occupation has a regulated registration, licensing, or certification scheme in NZ and full registration requires at least 2 years of formal training or experience), or
- a Bachelor’s degree or higher level qualification, or
- a skilled job earning at least 1.5 x median wage in New Zealand.
In addition, you need to be working in skilled employment in New Zealand and you can gain additional points through your skilled work experience in New Zealand.
So how does the new point system work?
You can claim 3 to 6 points from your:
- New Zealand occupational registration – points are based on the minimum number of years of training required to obtain registration; or
- qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher) – you can claim between 3 to 6 points depending on the highest level of qualification you have and its New Zealand Qualification Framework level (NZQF)., or
- income from your job or job offer (earning at least 1.5 times the median wage in New Zealand).
You can only claim points from one of the above skill indicators. You cannot combine points from multiple skill indicators. For example, you cannot combine points from your qualification with points from your New Zealand occupational registration.
You can also claim one point for each year of skilled work in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 points. The points you claim from skilled work in New Zealand can be combined with points from your New Zealand occupational registration, qualification or income.
Skilled job offer or skilled employment in NZ
You must have a skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer in New Zealand to apply for the New Skilled Migrant Resident Visa. This requirement applies even if you are claiming the maximum number of points available.
To be considered a skilled job, the job or job offer must be:
- at least 30 hours a week.
- either in an ANZSCO Level 1 to 3 occupation and paid at or above the median wage, or in an ANZSCO Level 4 to 5 occupation and paid at or above 1.5 times the median wage.
- on a permanent contract or fixed-term contract for at least 12 months.
To assess skilled work for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, INZ uses:
- the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO) list, and
- the median wage.
Some visa requirements are not changing
Some of the current requirements for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa are staying the same. These include:
- character requirements
- health requirements
- English language requirements
- age requirements (you must be 55 years old or under to apply).
You can include your partner and any dependent children up to the age of 24 in your application. They are also required to meet the English language requirements, or else they could buy English language lessons if they do not meet the criteria.
Contact us
Our People Inc partner, VisaAide has many years of experience in providing immigration advise to applicants and employers in New Zealand. Applying for any kind of a visa is a complex process and if you believe that you are likely to meet the new criteria for applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category, please feel free to contact us and one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers will make a full assessment of your eligibility and assist you in your journey towards becoming a New Zealander.
We can also assist you in getting an International Qualification Assessment from NZQA, in case your qualification is not listed/recognised by Immigration NZ.
Additionally, we can assist your employer with getting accredited with Immigration NZ, in case they haven’t done so until now.
