Emigrate to New Zealand - Skilled Migration

The Skilled Migration category is core to the New Zealand Immigration strategy. The Skilled Migration category offers individuals the opportunity to emigrate to New Zealand by helping boost the New Zealand skilled workforce.

This category was designed to minimise the risk of a mismatch between the skills migrants bring and the skills New Zealand needs. Migration under this category follows a step-by-step application process, from the initial assessment of ability to the settlement stage in New Zealand.

New Zealand Skilled Migration Assessment

If you are a highly skilled worker, your application to New Zealand may be processed much faster due to new work policy changes.

The new Essential Skills work policy separates occupations into highly skilled and lower skilled levels. Those applying for highly skilled visas may now be eligible for a temporary work permit, rather than a permanent residency visa.

If you are a highly skilled worker and are applying for a skill level one occupation that earns over $55,000, you can now be granted a five year work permit, rather than having to apply for a Residence Visa. You can also apply for three-year extensions to your permit, provided the need for your skill still exists at the time of application.

Online Assessment for the New Zealand Skilled Visa

To be eligible to emigrate to New Zealand you must:

Be under the age of 56 years;
Meet the health, character and English language requirements; and
Be able to meet the threshold of 100 points in the Points System to register an Expression of Interest.

If successful, you will be given:

A Residence Visa allowing you to enter New Zealand. It must be used within 12 months of the date of issue, and cannot be renewed or extended. If you do not travel to New Zealand within the 12 months, the visa will expire and you will have to reapply for residence; and
A Residence Permit issued on your arrival to New Zealand, allowing you to remain in the country permanently; or
A Work Permit allowing you to remain in the country for five years, after which you can apply for multiple three-year extensions to stay legally in the country.

Free New Zealand Immigration Online Assessment

Job Offers and Skilled Trades or Professions

While the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) looks favourably on those who already have a job offer in New Zealand in a skilled profession, it is not a requirement to qualify for migration under this category.

Nurses, Social Workers, Engineers, Motor Mechanics, Electricians, Welders, Fabricators and Metal Workers are in particularly high demand in New Zealand.