To qualify for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category, start here

The process for applying under the Skilled Migrant Category involves several steps, starting with an Expression of Interest (EOI).  If you score 100 points or more on an EOI, it can be entered into the pool of Expressions of Interest. Selections are made from the pool every two weeks, with approximately 550 EOIs being selected each time.  The current selection criteria starts with EOIs with 140 points, then further EOIs are selected to fill the available slots, with priority being given to those EOIs which include job offers or points claimed in an area of absolute skills shortage. 

After an EOI has been selected from the pool, a quick check is made to see if the points have been claimed correctly.  If so, you will then be Invited to Apply (ITA) for a resident visa under this category.  After submitting your application, verification of the claims made in your EOI is undertaken.  If you meet all criteria, you will be granted a resident visa.

Note: If you do not have an offer of skilled employment, you will be assessed for settlement and contribution criteria -- and either granted a resident visa, or offered a 9-month Job Search visa to allow you to come to New Zealand and find skilled employment. If you do this, then you are likely to be granted a resident visa when you provide information about your skilled employment to Immigration New Zealand.

To get an indication of your current points total, click here.

To make an Expression of Interest application, you must:

• Be aged under 56
• Provide information about your identity, health and character
• Provide information about your English language ability, which may include passing the International English Language Test with a score of 6.5 or higher
• Show your points total based on your employability, experience, education etc
• Include the appropriate fee (online NZ$440; paper-based NZ$560).

If you are then Invited to Apply for a resident visa, you must provide:

• The original documentation and evidence to support all the claims made in your EOI, such as your offer of skilled employment, education, experience and English language ability.  Such requirements will also be included with the application form sent to you.
• Payment of the fee, determined by where you submit your application (check out the fee calculator for more help). 

FAQs

What are points awarded for?  How will my EOI be assessed?
To assess your ability to settle and make a contribution to New Zealand, you’ll be awarded points on a number of items:

• Age.  The younger you are, the more points you receive; the points given for your age at time of application ranges from 5 to 30 in total
• Experience.  The more work experience you have the more points you receive; eg, 10 years or more experience in a given field is awarded 30 points
• Employability.  If you have an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand  or are currently employed in New Zealand, you’ll receive 50 or 60 points; you’ll receive bonus points if that offer or skill is in an identified future growth area or an area of absolute skills shortage in New Zealand. 
• Qualifications.  You can claim points for one of your qualifications (usually the highest).  The points for a recognised qualification range from 50 to 55, with bonus points for the qualification being gained in New Zealand or being in an identified growth area or an area of absolute skills shortage in New Zealand.

With 100 points your Expression of Interest will be entered into the pool of Expressions of Interest.  If you can claim 140 points or more, or have an offer of skilled employment or qualifications in an area of absolute skills shortage, your EOI will be drawn from the pool and you are likely to be invited to apply for a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category. 

What about medicals?  Will I need to provide these? 

For your Expression of Interest you simply answer questions about your health.  Certain health issues do prevent you from receiving an Invitation to Apply, including dialysis, acute pulmonary tuberculosis, severe haemophilia or a requirement for full time care due to a physical incapacity.

If you are Invited to Apply (ITA) you need to provide a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate for NZ (PDF, 475 KB).  These must be less than 3 months old when you submit your application. 

Anything else? 

You’ll need to provide police certificates from your country of citizenship, as well as any country in which you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you were 17. Police certificates must be no more than 6 months old when you submit your application.  To obtain more detailed  information, click here.

I’m 55 now.  Am I still able to apply? 

If you are invited to apply for residence, and turn 56 before you submit your application, it will not be accepted. 

If my Expression of Interest is accepted, what happens next?

You will be invited to apply (ITA).  Once you receive your ITA, you will have four months to submit your application. Verification of your documents takes place after you submit your application, so most applications for a resident visa can take a few months to complete.

Do you have any advice for me? 

It will take you time to gather original evidence to support your final application.  So if you’ve taken the quick points calculator for the Expression of Interest and have 100 points or more, we’d recommend you begin assembling everything you’ll need for the ITA now.  However, medical certificates and x-rays cannot be older than 3 months when you submit your ITA, and police certificates cannot be older then 6 months.

Is there any way to enhance my application or even speed up the process?

Bonus points can boost your EOI, so be sure to check out whether you are eligible for them, such as if your job offer is for employment outside of Auckland, or you have qualifications and experience in an occupation listed as being in absolute skills shortage. 

OK, I understand.  How do I apply? 

Great.  To download an Expression of Interest click here (PDF, 493 KB).

Or to complete your Expression of Interest on-line, click here.

And for more information on applications and timing, click here.