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) RESIDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is a two-step points-based invitation only visa for skilled workers. To qualify, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
• be aged 55 years or under;
• meet health and character requirements;
• meet English language requirements;
• initially submit Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for residence visa;
• score at least 100 points for employability and suitability factors to be able to submit the EOI;
• EOIs will be pooled and remain in the pool earlier of 6 months or selection;
• EOIs with a score of 180 points or above will be selected from the pool on every third Wednesday of the month;
• Those selected will receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) for resident visa;
• Those who receive ITA can submit resident visa application thereafter.
Please note that the last date to submit EOI under current SMC policy is Tuesday 15 August 2023.
NEW SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY (SMC) RESIDENT VISA
A new SMC Resident Visa with significant changes will be effective from 9 October 2023. For details visit Changes to The SMC Resident Visa
Contact us for advice, guidance and comprehensive service (visa application and case management service until receipt of visa decision) if you wish to find out your eligibility and apply for Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa.
GREEN LIST RESIDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
Green list residence visa provides migrants with job offers in highly skilled, hard-to-fill occupations on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the Green List to apply for Straight to Residence visa or Work to Residence visa.
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 provides pathway to secure residence visa. To qualify, migrants must have skilled job offer and meet the following requirements:
• 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 preceding 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) if you wish to find out your eligibility and apply for Green List Straight to Residence or Work To Residence Visa.
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 at least 24 months during 30-month period immediately preceding residence visa application;
• employment is paid at twice the median wage rate;
• meet health, character and English language requirements.
Effective from 9 October 2023, the Highly Paid Resident Visa Category will be merged with the new Skilled Migrant Visa. For details of the new SMC policy, visit Changes to The SMC Resident Visa
Contact us for professional advice, guidance and comprehensive service (visa application and case management until receipt of visa decision) if you wish to find out your eligibility and apply for visa under the Highly Paid Visa Category.
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