Skilled Migrant Visa Category NZ

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa NZ is for people who have the relevant skills and qualifications to contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth.  Its is not for people who are self-employed.

Points-Based System

A points-based system is used to assess your eligibility for the SMC Resident Visa. Under the new simplified points system, you will need 6 points to gain residence. Under the new points system, you need 6 points to be selected from the pool. If you meet the points requirement, your EOI selection NZ will be done from the pool and you will be sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

You can claim 3 to 6 points for any one of the following skill indicators-

• New Zealand occupational registration
• Qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher), or
• Income (earning at least 1.5 times the median wage in New Zealand)

You can also claim 1 point for each year of skilled work in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 points which can be combined with the points claimed from the above-mentioned skill indicators.

Eligibility Criteria for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

• You must be 55 years of age or under
• You must meet the English language requirements
• You must meet the health & character requirements
• You must have a skilled job or a skilled job offer with an accredited employer

Benefits of the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

• This visa enables you to live, work & study in New Zealand.
• Your partner and dependent children aged 24 years & below can be included in your residence visa application
• This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand indefinitely

Common mistakes

The process of getting a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa can be complicated and applicants making costly mistakes is not uncommon. Some of the common mistakes applicants make are claiming points for unrecognized qualifications, unskilled work experience or claiming certain points but not meeting those requirements.

For example, if you are claiming points for your qualifications, they need to be either on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment or have been assessed by NZQA. Similarly, if you are claiming points for work experience, it must be in the same field as your job/ job offer. In case you don’t have a job or a job offer, your work experience needs to be in a comparable labour market or at skill level 1, 2 or 3 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

The mistakes can result in fewer points being calculated by the case officer which in turn can result in you falling short of the 6 points threshold.

For more information about the SMC Resident Visa, click here

Expression of Interest

What is an Expression of Interest (EOI)

An EOI is an opportunity to provide important information to demonstrate your interest & suitability for something.

If you want to migrate to New Zealand under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), you must inform Immigration New Zealand (INZ) of your wish. To do so you can do so by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) by filling the EOI NZ form.

Validity of an EOI

An EOI is valid for 6 months from the date of submission only if no EOI selection has taken place within that period. Once the EOI selection is done, the EOI is no longer valid. You can submit another EOI once the previous one has expired.

If you would like to know more about Skilled Migrant Visa Category process, assessment criteria and the pitfalls that you should be aware of, please call us today on +64 9 379 0219 or email contact@nzimmigration.info