Emigration to New Zealand: Point System

The New Zealand Visa Bureau is a division of Visa Bureau. Visa Bureau is not affiliated with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and is a website specialising in visa and immigration information to New Zealand.

Apply for a New Zealand Skilled Migration Visa

If you are looking to make a permanent move to New Zealand, you can apply to migrate to New Zealand through the New Zealand Skilled Migration Category. The programme aims to meet current skills shortages by attracting skilled migrants who can make an immediate contribution to the New Zealand economy. Tradespeople are in particular demand.

Click Here to Complete the Online New Zealand Skilled Migration Visa Assessment

New Zealand Visa Bureau's free online Skilled Migration Visa assessment will provide you with your points score on completion and you will be given the option at that stage to request a free telephonic or email consultation with an experienced migration consultant specialising in evaluating eligibility for migration to New Zealand. As part of this initial free consultation, the consultant will discuss the options open to you and provide you with guidance on what visas are suitable and practical to you situation. Additionally, should you decide to use us to assist you with your skilled migration visa application, your migration consultant will explain our service charges. Our service charges are dependent on both the visa subclass and your own individual circumstances; for example, while our service charge for a child visa can be as low as £600, it can range to £2,400 for some skilled visa applications. This is not inclusive of VAT, the New Zealand government fees or any other costs associated with the application.

You can also begin the process of applying for a New Zealand Skilled Migration Visa by going to the New Zealand Government website. The government fees for a visa application range in price, depending on your own personal circumstances and the subclass of visa you are applying for. The total goverment fee can be anything from NZ$930 for a family category visa to NZ$2,400 for certain skilled visas.

Click Here to Apply Online on Immigration.govt.nz (Official Site)

The Point System allows for Expressions of Interest to be ranked so applicants who have the most to offer can be extended an invitation for emigration to New Zealand.

Points are offered based on:

Employability;
Work experience;
Qualifications;
Family ties; and
Age.

Bonus points may also be awarded to applicants if they meet certain criteria, as set out below.

Skilled Employment

Skilled Employment
Skilled employment	Points
Current skilled employment in New Zealand for 12 months or more	60
Offer of skilled employment in New Zealand or current employment in New Zealand for less than 12 months	50

Employment or an Employment Offer

Employment or Employment Offer
Employment/employment offer in	Points
An identified future growth area	10
An area of absolute skills shortage	10
Region outside Auckland	10
Spouse/partner employment or offer of employment	20

Work Experience

Work Experience
Work experience	Points
2 years	10
4 years	15
6 years	20
8 years	25
10 years	30

Bonus Points for Work Experience

You can obtain bonus points for work experience in New Zealand, as well as work experience undertaken in a future growth area or in an area of New Zealand where there is a skills shortage.

New Zealand Work Experience
NZ work experience	Points
1 year	5
2 years	10
3 years or more	15

Future Growth Area
Work experience in a NZ future growth area	Points
2 to 5 years	10
6 years or more	15

Absolute Skill Shortage Area
Work experience in a NZ area of absolute skill shortage	Points
2 to 5 years	10
6 years or more	15

Qualifications

Qualifications
Qualifications	Points
Recognised basic qualifications (for example trade qualifications, diploma, bachelor degree, degree with Honours)	50
Recognised post-graduate qualification (Masters degree, Doctorate)	55

Bonus Points
Qualification	Points
2 years of full time study in New Zealand towards a recognised qualification	5
Recognised New Zealand qualification (and at least 2 years study in New Zealand)	5
Recognised post-graduate New Zealand Qualification (Masters, PHD)	10
Qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage	10
Qualification in an identified future growth area	10
Spouse/partner qualifications	20

Close Family in New Zealand

Close Family in New Zealand
Close family in NZ	Points
Close family in New Zealand	10

Age

Age
Age	Points
20-29	30
30-39	25
40-44	20
45-49	10
50-55	5

The higher the score in the Point System, the more likely it is you will be chosen for an invitation for emigration to New Zealand.

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