Skilled Migration Visa – New Zealand
The New Zealand Skilled Migration Programme allows skilled workers in specialist occupations to emigrate to New Zealand to help fill workforce shortages.
New Zealand is currently experiencing a huge shortage of skilled workers in a number of industries so now is the perfect time to apply.
You no longer need to have a job offer or sponsorship to be eligible for a New Zealand Skilled Migration Visa, but if you do have a job your visa can be organised in just 2-3 months. If you don’t have a job it will take between 6-9 months.
To be eligible for this category of visa in New Zealand you will need score at least 100 points in the skills test. The basic requirements are:
- You must be under 56 years old.
- You must meet the character and health requirements.
- Your occupation must be on the skills list.
- You must be fully qualified in your occupation.
- You must have at least 3 years experience relevant to your qualification.
- You must be fluent in English.
Am I eligible for a New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa?
Your eligibility for a New Zealand Skilled Migration Visa is based on a skills test in which you must score at least 100 points to be able to submit your expression of interest. You get extra points if you have a partner who also wants to migrate to New Zealand and has enough points.
Points in the NZ Skilled Migrant Visa skills test are based on:
- Employability
- Work experience
- Qualifications
- Family ties
- Age
The major groups of skilled occupations for the New Zealand Skilled Migration Visa are:
- Group 1: Legislators, administrators and managers
- Group 2: Professionals
- Group 3: Technicians and associate professionals
- Group 7: Trades workers
Nurses, Social Workers, Engineers, Motor Mechanics, Electricians, Welders, Fabricators and Metal Workers are in particularly high demand in New Zealand at present.
Points Score
Skilled Employment
|
Skilled employment
|
Points
|
|
Current skilled employment in New Zealand for 12 months or more
|
60
|
|
Offer of skilled employment in New Zealand or current employment in New Zealand for less than 12 months
|
50
|
Employment or an Employment Offer
|
Employment/employment offer in
|
Points
|
|
An identified future growth area
|
10
|
|
An area of absolute skills shortage
|
10
|
|
Region outside Auckland
|
10
|
|
Spouse/partner employment or offer of employment
|
20
|
Work Experience
|
Work experience
|
Points
|
|
2 years
|
10
|
|
4 years
|
15
|
|
6 years
|
20
|
|
8 years
|
25
|
|
10 years
|
30
|
Bonus Points for Work Experience
You can obtain bonus points for work experience in New Zealand, as well as work experience undertaken in a future growth area or in an area of New Zealand where there is a skills shortage.
|
New Zealand Work Experience
|
|
NZ work experience
|
Points
|
|
1 year
|
5
|
|
2 years
|
10
|
|
3 years or more
|
15
|
|
Future Growth Area
|
|
Work experience in a NZ future growth area
|
Points
|
|
2 to 5 years
|
10
|
|
6 years or more
|
15
|
|
Absolute Skill Shortage Area
|
|
Work experience in a NZ area of absolute skill shortage
|
Points
|
|
2 to 5 years
|
10
|
|
6 years or more
|
15
|
Qualifications
|
Qualifications
|
Points
|
|
Recognised basic qualifications (for example trade qualifications, diploma, bachelor degree, degree with Honours)
|
50
|
|
Recognised post-graduate qualification (Masters degree, Doctorate)
|
55
|
Bonus Points
|
Qualification
|
Points
|
|
2 years of full time study in New Zealand towards a recognised qualification
|
5
|
|
Recognised New Zealand qualification (and at least 2 years study in New Zealand)
|
5
|
|
Recognised post-graduate New Zealand Qualification (Masters, PHD)
|
10
|
|
Qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage
|
10
|
|
Qualification in an identified future growth area
|
10
|
|
Spouse/partner qualifications
|
20
|
Close Family in New Zealand
|
Close family in NZ
|
Points
|
|
Close family in New Zealand
|
10
|
Age
|
Age
|
Points
|
|
20-29
|
30
|
|
30-39
|
25
|
|
40-44
|
20
|
|
45-49
|
10
|
|
50-55
|
5
|
It is not a requirement for you to already have a job offer in New Zealand in order to apply for this New Zealand Work Visa, but it is looked on favourably by the New Zealand Immigration Service.
For more information on applying under this visa category please contact one of our immigration advisors.
