New Zealand Skilled Resident Visa

Skilled workers wishing to move to New Zealand and permanently settle in NZ can apply under any one of the following main skilled resident visa categories:

SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY (SMC)

PROPOSED CHANGES TO SMC POLICY
Review of the SMC policy has proposed significant changes to the current Skilled Migrant Category. For details including when new SMC policy will be effective visit Proposed Changes To The SMC Policy

CURRENT SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY (SMC)
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is a two-step points based invitation only visa for skilled workers. Applicants:

  • aged 55 years or under;
  • meeting health and character requirements;
  • meeting English language requirements; and
  • scoring at least 100 points for employability and suitability factors
  • Initially submit Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for residence visa;
  • EOIs are pooled and remain in the pool earlier of 6 months or selection;
  • EOIs will be selected from the pool as under:
    • All EOIs scoring at least 160 points will be selected from the pool on 9 November 2022;
    • Next selection will be on 18 January 2023 and all EOIs scoring at least 180 points will be selected;
    • After 18 January 2023, EOIs scoring at least 180 points will be selected on the 3 Wednesday of each month.
  • Those selected will receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) for SMC residence visa;
  • Those who receive ITA can submit resident visa application thereafter;
  • Residence visa application will be processed to check accuracy of points claimed and whether all requirements are met;
  • Those claiming points for skilled job offer in NZ or NZ Master’s or PhD qualification and meeting SMC policy requirements are granted Resident visa.

 

SMC WORK VISA
Principal applicants under skilled migrant category who have met all requirements for approval:

  • but do not qualify for points for skilled job offer or skilled employment in New Zealand; or
  • have not undertaken full-time study for at least 2 years in New Zealand resulting in award of Master’s or Doctorate degree

may be issued multiple-entry open work visa for 12 months for the purpose of obtaining skilled job offer/employment in New Zealand

Their residence visa application will be approved upon securing ongoing skilled employment in New Zealand.

Contact Us for professional advice, guidance and comprehensive service (visa application and case management until receipt of visa decision) under Skilled Migrant Category.

GREEN LIST RESIDENT VISA

Green list residence pathway provides migrants in highly skilled, hard-to-fill occupations to apply for Straight To Residence visa category or Work To Residence visa category


STRAIGHT TO RESIDENCE VISA
Straight To Residence visa category applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for resident visa:

  • be aged 55 years or under;
  • be employed or have job offer from an accredited employer in an occupation on Tier 1 of the Green List
  • employment or job offer must be full-time and permanent or for at least 12 months fixed term contract;
  • independent contractors may also be eligible in some cases;
  • meet health, character and English language requirements.

 

WORK TO RESIDENCE VISA
Work To Residence visa category applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify

  • be aged 55 years or under at the time of residence visa application;
  • be employed or have a job offer from an accredited employer in an occupation on Tier 2 of the Green List;
  • have worked in New Zealand in an occupation on Tier 2 of the Green List for at least 24 months during 30 month period immediately preceeding residence visa application;
  • employment on or after 29 September 2021 is counted within the 24 months work period;
  • employment or job offer must be full-time and permanent or for at least 12 months fixed term contract;
  • meet health, character and English language requirements.

 

Contact Us for professional advice, guidance and comprehensive service (visa application and case management until receipt of visa decision) under Green List Visa Category.

HIGHLY PAID RESIDENT VISA

To qualify for the Highly Paid Resident visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • be aged 55 years or younger;
  • worked for an accredited employer for 24 months for at least 24 months during 30 month period immediately preceeding residence visa application;
  • employment is paid at twice the median wage rate (currently $55.52 per hour or equivalent annual salary);
  • meet health, character and English language requirements.
  Contact Us for professional advice, guidance and comprehensive service (visa application and case management until receipt of visa decision) under Highly Paid Visa Category.

NEW ZEALAND VISAS