Skilled Migrant Resident Visa NZ – Your Pathway to Residency
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We suggest you get an eligibility assessment as soon as possible to allow certainty of a residency outcome and guidance on what is required to apply for the skilled migrant resident visa. Our team is ready to help.
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Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
Obtain permanent residency in New Zealand through the Skilled Migrant Resident Visa, a pathway for individuals with sought-after skills.
With the Skilled Migrant Visa NZ, you can live and work in New Zealand on a long-term basis.
Here’s what you should know about the new 6 point system.
The new Skilled Migrant Visa NZ 6 point system
A new simplified points system, recognized by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, has been introduced for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa on 9 October 2023, to replace the previous 180-point system.
If you have skilled employment or a job offer in New Zealand, you might be eligible for the Skilled Migrant Visa.
The points system sets a clear skill threshold for residence, but offers several ways for people to demonstrate their skill level. Applicants must have at least 6 points to be eligible. You can claim points based on your qualifications, occupation, and income.
This can be made up from:
• 3 to 6 points based on either professional registration, qualifications or income. People can choose the skill category that offers the most points based on their circumstances; and
• 1 point per year of working in New Zealand in a skilled job, up to a maximum of 3 points.
All applicants must have a job or a job offer in New Zealand and be paid at least median wage.
Straight to Residence: Green List Tier 1
If you have employment or an offer of employment from an accredited employer in an occupation on Tier 1 of the Green List and meet the specified requirements on the list for the occupation, you could apply for residence under Straight to Residence category from 5 September 2022. You’ll need to meet the age, health and character requirements.
Find out if your role is in the Green List Tier 1 occupations list and explore the skilled migrant visa NZ opportunities.
Work to Residence: Green List Tier 2
The Green List tier 2 residence pathways have replaced the previous Talent (Accredited Employer) Residence from Work Category.
Green List Tier 2
If you have worked for 2 years in a Green List Tier 2 occupation and meet the specified requirements on the list for the occupation, you could apply for apply for residence under Work to Residence category from September 2022.
Find out if your role is in the Green List Tier 2 occupations list
Work to Residence: Transport sector and care workforce
Certain industries in New Zealand benefit from a Sector Agreement which facilitates a 2-year work to residence pathway:
Transport sector residence pathway
To be eligible for this type of residency visa pathway, you must be qualified and experienced in an approved transport sector role in New Zealand for at least 24 months. Each of the roles has specific requirements that need to be met.
Please be aware that on 7 April 2024, bus drivers and truck drivers were removed from the list of eligible transport roles for residence through work. Therefore no longer eligible for the Transport Work to Residence visa. However, those who applied for and were approved for an AEWV, or who were already on open work visas, before the changes took effect can still work their way toward residence.
Care Workforce residence pathway
A work to residence pathway for care workers has been available to apply for from 29 September 2023. This pathway allows care workers who are paid NZD $28.25 an hour (level 4 rate) of the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017 to gain residence after 24 months.
FAQ
1. What is the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) in New Zealand, and how does it work in terms of obtaining a skilled migrant visa?
The SMC is a pathway for skilled migrants to New Zealand. To get a skilled migrant visa, you start by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) where you claim points based on factors like age, work experience, qualifications, and job offers. If you meet the criteria, you may be invited to apply for the skilled migrant residence visa, with a skilled job offer being a significant contributor to your points.
2. Can you explain the process for obtaining New Zealand occupational registration, and how does it affect my chances of securing a skilled job offer?
Certain professions and industries in New Zealand require occupational registration to work legally. Having this registration can boost your chances of securing a skilled job offer, showing you’re eligible for your chosen field. The process varies by profession but usually involves proving your qualifications, experience, and meeting English language requirements set by authorities.
3. What are the key factors that contribute to earning points in the points system for a Skilled Migrant Residence Visa, and how can I ensure my application meets the points threshold for success?
You must claim points from at least one of these areas: New Zealand occupational registration, qualification (bachelor’s degree or higher), or income from your job or job offer (earning at least 1.5 times the median wage in New Zealand). If you can get all 6 points from here, then you don’t need any more point. However, if you are short of 6 points, the remaining points can come from the skilled work experience in NZ. You can claim 1 point for each year of skilled work in NZ, up to a maximum of 3 points. Irrespective of where you claim points from, you must have a ‘skilled’ job offer from an Accredited NZ employer.
4. What is the significance of the “Straight to Residence” category in New Zealand’s immigration options, and who can benefit from it?
The “Straight to Residence” category – Green List Tier 1 provides a direct path to residence for individuals with job offers in specific occupations. This category is advantageous because it expedites the process for those who meet the criteria. If you have employment or an offer from an accredited employer in an occupation on Tier 1 of the Green List and meet specified requirements, you can apply for residence directly, bypassing other visa categories and steps. This streamlines the journey to residency in New Zealand.