Skilled Migration

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is designed to attract persons with managerial, professional and technical skills to New Zealand. Thus the policy is suited for those who have post-secondary education and work experience.

A person with a job or a job offer from a New Zealand employer is best suited to succeed. In fact, the policy is meant for this. If you do not have a job offer, you can still qualify under certain circumstances. Work experience or a qualification in the shortage areas may make you eligible for a job search visa which may later lead to residence. In some cases, residence may be granted outright if you are considered to have a high potential to obtain skilled employment

SMC is a point’s based system. Points are allocated for age, qualifications, work experience, job offer etc,. The application process is two-fold: lodging of an expression of interest (EOI) (first stage) and if invited by Immigration to apply for residence (ITA), filing of the residence application (second stage).

Only one application is required for the whole family. Family means your spouse and children. Your parents cannot be included in the application. You need to meet certain other requirements including minimum standards of English, acceptable standards of health and character requirements. If you have medical issues, you need a medical waiver to be accepted. Similarly, if you have convictions, to succeed a character waiver is required

Take our assessment to find out whether you qualify for a skilled migrant visa.