The New Zealand Immigration points system is one of the tools that Immigration New Zealand use in assessing whether you are eligible to emigrate to New Zealand.

Below is our ‘fools guide’ to the New Zealand Immigration Points System.

If you would rather speak to a human being just give us a call on either + 27 (0) 21 202 8200 (SA) or +44 (0) 1392 531730 (UK).

What role does the New Zealand Immigration Points System play in your prospective immigration?

Any skilled migration for New Zealand residency will require you to take a points test. In fact the point’s assessment is probably the most crucial aspect of your prospective New Zealand immigration.

Why is the New Zealand Immigration Points System so crucial?

New Zealand is a popular immigration destination with many thousands of people wishing to migrate there. As with all other countries, New Zealand has to balance its human resource requirements with protecting local employment.

It all begins with assessing whether the person qualifies for New Zealand Immigration.

The point’s score you achieve dictates whether or not you can apply for an expression of interest. If done incorrectly the consequences are severe:

• Wasted money
• False hopes
• The wrong score meaning a missed change of immigration.

What does the point’s score look at?

The points score can be seen as a little complex which is why we recommend it is done by a licensed immigration advisor such as ourselves. The areas it covers include:

• Age.
• Close family residing in New Zealand.
• Skilled employment.
• Bonus points for employment in certain sectors or regions.
• Work experience in skilled employment.
• Bonus points for work experience in New Zealand.
• Bonus points for experience in identified future growth areas.
• Qualifications.
• Bonus points for qualifications.

What points total must you achieve?

The rule is very clear 100 points must be achieved to make an expression of interest. However there is much discussion around this due to whether the cost of making the expression of interest is in fact worth the expense of doing so.

During the last 12 months the reality is the applicant has been selected from the expression of interest pool with a score under 140 points that does not have a job offer. Recent changes have now seen this increase to 160 points.

Therefore many individuals have gone to the expense of making an expression of interest application when the chances were ‘slim to nothing’ of being selected.

Of course the decision will be yours to make but the responsibility to ensure you know the repercussions of it and guide you through it lies with your licensed immigration advisor. Another good reason to take advantage of our free initial consultation.

Booking a consultation and finding out more

If you would like to find out more about our services or book a free consultation with us simply call us on +27 (0) 21 202 8200 (SA). If you prefer, you could instead send us an email.

Are you considering whether to make an Application for a skilled migrant Visa for New Zealand?

If so you might be wondering where to start?

What type of application for a skilled migrant visa for New Zealand you would qualify for?

What the process is?

and many more questions……

Below take a look at making an application for a skilled migrant visa for New Zealand and answer some of the questions that you may have. If you prefer to speak to a human being about your situation:

• Call us on +27 (0) 21 202 8200 (SA).
• Contact us via email.

Who can make an application for a skilled migrant Visa for New Zealand?

In order to be eligible for residence under the skilled migrant’s category, you should meet the following basic criteria:

• Be under 55 year of age.
• Meet the health requirements.
• Be of good character.
• Prove acceptable English language standards.
• Have an occupation that is in demand.

If you can meet the basic criteria then we proceed to the next step which is a points based assessment.

The Points Based Assessment

The most important thing to understand in the process is that it all starts with an assessment. This will show you the points score you can achieve. Most importantly it will lead you to make decisions on what application for a skilled migrant visa for New Zealand suits your circumstances. It is often the case that an application for a skilled migrant visa for New Zealand cannot be made straight away and another visa is required first.

In terms of the points system there will be two inevitable outcomes:

1. You won’t qualify for a skills migrant visa (under 100 points)
2. You will qualify to submit an EOI- expression of interest for a skilled migrant’s visa

Expression of Interest(EOI)

An EOI refers to an expression of interest and it is your second step in making an application for a skilled migrant Visa for New Zealand. It is submitted together with your points score to the authorities in New Zealand.

Should you score within their chosen parameters then you may be selected to receive an invitation to apply.

Invitation to apply

If you receive an invitation to apply it does not guarantee you a visa. It invites you to make a formal application which in essence confirms your assessment and expression of interest as being correct. Hence why the assessment is so important.

How do you assess if you should make an application for a skilled migrant visa for New Zealand?

The good news is that New Zealand is unique in that it needs to attract skilled migrants. In fact the GDP of New Zealand would suffer severely should it not have sufficient skilled migrants to join in the work force. The three year target which New Zealand needs to attract is currently on 150,000.

The statistics as it currently stands is that one out of four people living in New Zealand are actually immigrants. There is no reason that one of these immigrants couldn’t be you.

……So Moving forward

One of the best ways to see if you should apply for a skilled migrant visa is to take an assessment first. It is going to be within your best interests to first gain an indication of whether you will qualify, or not, prior to investing your time and money.

One of our licensed immigration advisors will be able to assist you in the assessment process. And provide you with a written, formal comprehensive report as to your options.

…….Important

Always bear in mind: According to the law, anybody who provides advice with regard to immigration to New Zealand is required to be licensed by the Immigration Advisor’s Authority, unless they are exempt.

Booking an assessment or finding out more:

If you would like to find out more about our services or book an assessment with us simply call us on +27 (0) 21 202 8200 (SA) or +44 (0) 2038 732150 (UK). You could alternatively instead contact us via email.