What is Skilled Migrant？
Skilled Migrant Category: The number of applications and approvals is relatively higher than other categories. Immigration New Zealand will grade applicants based on education level, work experience, age, and English level to measure whether the applicant meet the requirements under Skilled Migrant Category.
Eligibility for bonus points may influence the Residence Visa application. Applicants, who can claim 100 points or more, can still submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) into the pool. However only applications with more than 160 points will be selected. Every fortnight, EOIs over 160 points will be selected and the validity of the information is assessed.
There is a new definition for Skilled Employment. If your occupation is in ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 your annual salary/wage must be equal to or more than $24.29 per hour or $50.523.2 based on 40 hours. Jobs that are not in ANZSCO skill levels 1, 2 or 3 must be paid at least $36.44 per hour which equates to a salary of $75,795.2 per annum based on 40 hours per week.
Point Scale
SM1.10 Points for employability and capacity building factors
| Factors | Points | Criteria | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (20 to 55 years) | 20-39 | 30 | SM5 |
| 40-44 | 20 | ||
| 45-49 | 10 | ||
| 50-55 | 5 | ||
| Skilled employment | Current skilled employment in New Zealand or an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand | 50 | SM6 |
| Bonus points for skilled employment | Current skilled employment in New Zealand or an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand in an area of absolute skills shortage | 10 | SM6.40 |
| Current skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment outside the Auckland region | 30 | SM6.50 | |
| Current skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment with remuneration of least $46.98 per hour, or the equivalent annual salary | 20 | SM6.60 | |
| Skilled work experience | 2 years | 10 | SM7 |
| 4 years | 20 | ||
| 6 years | 30 | ||
| 8 years | 40 | ||
| 10 years | 50 | ||
| Additional bonus points if skilled work experience is in New Zealand | 1 year or more | 10 | SM7.25 |
| Additional bonus points for skilled work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage | 2 to 5 years | 10 | SM7.30 |
| 6 years or more | 15 | ||
| Qualifications | Recognised level 3 qualification if included on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) | 40 | SM8 |
| Recognised level 4-6 qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma) | 40 | ||
| Recognised level 7 or 8 qualification (e.g. bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s degree with Honours) | 50 | ||
| Recognised level 9 or 10 post-graduate qualification (Master’s degree, Doctorate) | 70 | ||
| Bonus points for qualifications gained in New Zealand | 2 years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised bachelor degree (level 7) New Zealand qualification; or | 10 | SM8.25 |
| 1 year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification; or | 10 | ||
| 2 years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification | 15 | ||
| Bonus points for partner’s skilled employment | Partner’s current skilled employment in New Zealand or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand. | 20 | SM9.5 |
| Bonus points for partner’s qualification (either) | Recognised qualification at level 7 or 8; or | 10 | SM9.10 |
| Recognised qualification at level 9 or above | 20 |
Skilled migrant flowchart：
