Skilled Migration New Zealand

Applicants who possess relevant qualifications are eligible to enter New Zealand under the skilled migrant’s category.

Skilled Workers can immigrate to New Zealand

The objective of the General skilled category
The General Skilled Category is a points-based system. If you are a principal applicants under this category you are assessed by a points based system. You may score points for a number of factors such as your qualifications, work experience, age, settlement factors, assets and job offer. In addition, you and any family included in your application must meet health, character and English language requirements.
The objective of the General skilled category – where the majority of applications are made – is to select migrants who will:

  • increase New Zealand’s levels of human capital;
  • and foster international links.

Before your application is lodged you have to collect enough points for your qualifications on the basis of:

  • the List of Recognised Qualifications; or
  • a New Zealand Qualifications Authority assessment report; or
  • occupational registration in New Zealand.
  • The minimum age to lodge an application is 18 years and the maximum 55 years; the minimum required work experience is two years and all applicants must meet a minimum standard of English.

With the nation currently experiencing a skills shortage, applicants who possess relevant qualifications are eligible to enter New Zealand under the skilled migrant’s category.
Of special interest are those with qualifications in education, health and medicine, information and communications technology, agriculture and farming, engineering and tradesmen. All applicants must be aged between 20 and 55 and must meet certain health, education, character and English proficiency criterion.

Interested parties may submit an Expression of Interest on the Immigration New Zealand website. The website also offers further information on desired skills and the regions of New Zealand in which they would be best suited. An Expression of Interest applicant is awarded points based on their relevant skills, qualifications and experience.

Every two weeks, Immigration New Zealand invites applicants with an Expression of Interest score of 140 and over to apply for a visa. Applicants with an EOI score of 100 – 140 (inclusive) are further scrutinised, and a selected few are issued an invitation.

Applicants who are invited to apply for a visa must then submit proof of their experience. This may take the form of academic transcripts, university degrees, references from previous employers and evidence of any awards received. The applicant must also provide proof of their health and good character, in the form of medical records and a recommendation from the police in their home country. They must also prove their English speaking abilities.

Family members who will be moving to New Zealand with the applicant must also provide these references.

INZ will then deny or approve the application. If it is approved, the applicant will either be issued a full residential visa or permit, or will be issued a temporary, nine month residential visa or permit. If the applicant finds gainful employment within those nine months, thus proving they are able to contribute to New Zealand society, they will then be issued a full residential visa.

Highly Skilled Immigrants have Immense Chance to Permanently Reside and Work in New Zealand

Work permission in New Zealand has allowed specialists to make a lucrative career move in the country. The highly skilled immigrants include those from software industry, agriculture and dairy farming, and healthcare.

Just like availing a working holiday in New Zealand is not difficult especially during the pick fruit harvesting season, getting plum jobs by top skilled immigrants has become an effortless task today. Innumerable successful professionals migrate to New Zealand each year and stay on as permanent residents in the country.

Top executives, surgeons, computer specialists, scientists, professors, technocrats, and similar experts get a warm welcome in the country. Suitable job opportunities, tolerant society, and friendly workplace environment have been some of the important factors that appeal the highly skilled people to look upon New Zealand as a means to propel their career.

Job Prospects

Recently, top jobs seeking specialists and creative artists for the film industry have flooded the job market. The jobs include not only in the traditional film production but also digital production, animation, screen play, and similar creative works. The country won more than 10 Oscar nominations and many awards on cinematography and screen plays. As the market is upbeat, international creative artists are making a foray into the job market in New Zealand. The administration has also given support to promote creative work. The creation of National Film Office is one such effort.

Other sectors which have job opportunities for the top band pros include executive posts in wineries, breweries, dairy farms, hospitality sector, tourism, manufacturing, design work, information technology, entrepreneurship, telecommunication and mass communication. The country’s image, innovation, encouragement, and networking have time and again appealed to people who want to move in permanently in New Zealand.

Work Visa

You are able to apply for Permanent Residence with less than the pass mark. Providing the Immigration Officer allocates your points within 5 of the pass mark then he/she offers you a Work Visa and provisional Permanent Residence status. This allows you to come to New Zealand (you must arrive within 3 months from the date the visa is issued) and upon arrival you will be given a 6 month work permit. Once you find full time employment, you will be allocated the extra 5 points for the offer of employment and you then become New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Immigration New Zealand Policy

New Zealand has many jobs to offer. For immigrants with an adequate education and work experience New Zealand is a highly attractive country to work and live in. However, various immigration categories as well as a point system prevent big „immigration waves“.
New Zealand’s immigration policy aims at attracting highly educated immigrants and solvent investors. In most cases the requirement for a work permit is a job offer from a New Zealand company.

More than 10 percent of New Zealand’s employees are freelancers. More people are employed in the constantly growing service sector than in agriculture, forestry and in fishing industry.

Work laws guarantee national minimum wages which must not befallen short of. Everybody who can produce a job offer in an industrial sector seeking manpower, is entitled to apply for a work permit. Alternatively, potential immigrants can also apply for a talent visa, a long term business visa and priority occupations list policies.

Contact our Immigration New Zealand Agents

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