New Zealand Immigration Points System Explained

June 2, 2023

Note – From 9 October 2023 there will be changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. The last EOI selection under the current Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa will be on Wednesday 16 August 2023. You can submit an EOI from now until 23:59, Tuesday 15 August 2023 (NZST).

New Zealand is a popular destination for migrants from around the world. To enter the country as a skilled migrant, one of the options is the Skilled Migrant Category visa category. To qualify under this category, you must meet specific criteria and be eligible to score certain points under the New Zealand immigration points system. The points system is a complex calculation used to assess the eligibility of skilled migrants to enter the country.

In this blog post, we will explain the New Zealand immigration points system, how it works and what factors are considered when calculating points.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa is for people with the skills and/or qualifications that will add to New Zealand’s economic growth.

If you score at least 180 points under the New Zealand immigration points system, you may be eligible to apply for an SMC Residence Visa. This visa allows you to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely. You will need to provide evidence of the points you claim for qualifications, work experience, etc., and demonstrate your language proficiency.

The SMC Resident Visa process is a two-step process –

• Expression Of Interest (EOI)

If you believe that, given your age, qualifications, work experience etc., you can meet the points threshold of 180 points, the first step would be to complete and submit an Expression of Interest. This EOI can be submitted online or in paper form. Once submitted, the EOI becomes a part of a global pool of EOIs from where Immigration New Zealand (INZ) makes fortnightly selections of EOIs that meet the published point threshold currently set at 180 points. While the point score required for submitting an EOI to the pool is 100 points, submitting one is not advisable unless you meet the set threshold. While no documents need to be submitted with an EOI, a processing fee is payable.

• Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your EOI is selected and INZ is satisfied that points have been claimed accurately, you will be sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the SMC Residence Visa. With the resident visa, you will need to provide documentary evidence supporting the points you claimed in the EOI.

By understanding how the points system works and what factors are considered when calculating points, you can increase your chances of being granted a visa under SMC and starting a new life in New Zealand.

How the Points System Works

The New Zealand immigration points system is a complex system used to assess the eligibility of skilled migrants to enter the country. Under the points system, you are awarded points based on factors such as age, work experience, qualifications, skilled employment in New Zealand, partner’s qualification, etc.

To be eligible to apply for a New Zealand visa as a skilled migrant, you need to score a certain number of points. As of 11 November 2022, the points requirement has been set at 180. The higher your score, the better your chances of being selected from the pool.

Factors Considered When Calculating Points

Several factors are considered when calculating points under the New Zealand immigration points system. These factors include:

• Age: You can score up to a maximum of 30 points based on your age. The maximum number of points is awarded to applicants who are between 20 and 39 years old. As the age increases the points awarded decreases.
• Work experience: You can score up to 50 points based on your work experience. The work experience must be assessed as skilled. The more years of skilled work experience you have, the more points you will be awarded.

You can score additional points if your occupation is in an area of absolute skills shortage or if you have worked in New Zealand.

• Qualifications: You can score up to 70 points based on your qualifications. The highest number of points is awarded for Master’s degree or a PhD. Additional bonus points are also available for qualifications studied full-time in New Zealand.
• Job offer: You can score up to 50 points if you have a job offer for skilled employment from a New Zealand employer or are already working in a skilled role in New Zealand. You can claim additional points if the job offered is outside Auckland or the pay offered is above the high remuneration threshold.
• Partner: If you have a partner, you can claim additional points for your partner’s qualification and/or their offer of employment in New Zealand. In such cases, your partner must demonstrate the same English level as you.

Immigration instructions may seem simple at face value; however, there is an in-depth complexity that requires proper understanding of the instructions and often, the interpretation of these instructions can make or break your migration journey. You may believe that making an application on your own will help you save money, but the truth is that engaging the services of a competent and experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) will enable you to save your time, money and will grant you the outcome that you desire.

If you are considering your options for living and working in New Zealand and need assistance with your visa application, feel free to email Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd. at [email protected] or call on +64 09 3790219.