Visas & Advice Detail
NZ Skilled Migrant Category
The Skilled Migrant Category remains a popular choice for many migrants wanting a new life in New Zealand, as do the temporary options.
The Skilled Migrant Category is New Zealand's most popular visa category. Designed to fill skills shortages and to attract talented professionals and trades people to Aotearoa, it assesses applicants according to a points-based system.
To apply, you need to be between the ages of 20 and 55 and meet pre-decided standards of health, character and English language proficiency. You will also need to score at least 100 points in order to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI).
If you're new to the whole process then start by assessing yourself at www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/ to judge the likelihood of your application being accepted. You will be awarded points depending on your answers to questions about your skills, experience, qualifications, age and family.
Did you score 100 or above? If so, congratulations – you can now complete and submit and EoI which will be put into the Pool to await selection. Along with your EoI, you will need to submit a fee of NZ$500 for a paper form or NZ$400 for an online application. This fee is non-refundable, so make sure you fill in your EoI with accuracy and ensure that you have included all relevant information.
All EoIs over 140 points are automatically selected every fortnight for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Those EoIs which display other desirable factors, such as skill in a New Zealand shortage area, will then be selected, followed by other lower-scoring EoIs.
If your EoI is drawn from the pool then you should be notified by Immigration New Zealand, who will ask you to submit an ITA. Any claims you made on your EoI will need to be verified at this point, which means obtaining medical and police certificates, documentation regarding your skills and experience, and, if applicable, proof of English language ability.
Again, it is important that you complete your ITA accurately and return it together with all the information asked for by INZ. You will also be asked to submit a second fee with your ITA, which will differ depending on your location and mode of application.
Once submitted, your ITA will be assessed by INZ, who will check it to ensure that your initial points claims were valid. At this stage, you may also be asked to attend an interview intended to assess your ability to settle successfully in New Zealand. INZ will then either offer you a Permanent Residence visa or a Work to Residence visa, at which point you will be asked to pay a third and final fee called a migrant levy.
In rare cases, where the ITA does not back up claims made on the EoI, your application for residence may be refused outright.
Remember, if your EoI isn't selected the first time then it may be worth considering how to up your points quota before applying again.
Temporary options
British citizens who wish to visit New Zealand for a period of six months or less are permitted to travel without a visa. However, if you're keen to work or study in the country you will need to apply for a temporary visa. It's worth noting that a number of temporary visas provide a platform from which an application for permanent residency can be made.
The most notable among these is the Work to Residence visa, which allows holders to work in New Zealand for a period of up to three years. You will need to have a job offer or a skill on the Long Term Skills Shortage List to apply, but the good news is that you won't have to meet the stringent points criteria set by the SMC. After two years, you are permitted to apply for permanent residency.
Those who wish to work more temporarily in New Zealand also have the option of applying for a Temporary Work Permit. If you have a job offer, wish to work in the country for a particular purpose or event, are currently a student or trainee wishing to gain New Zealand work experience, or are planning to work temporarily joining a partner, then you may qualify. Those in New Zealand on a working holiday may also apply under the Working Holiday Visa Scheme, which allows British citizens aged between 18 and 30 to work for up to 12 months.
For further information:
Immigration New Zealand
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