Immigration to New Zealand - NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SKILLS IMMIGRATION VISA

To be considered under this category you need to be of good health, good character, have a reasonable standard of English and be no older than 55 years of age. You will also need to meet the threshold of 100 points to register an Expression of Interest.

Expressions of Interest submitted over a number of weeks will be pooled and ranked from highest to lowest points. It is not a case of first in, first served. NZIS will prioritize Expressions of Interest in terms of points claimed and, following some checking. Those with the top points will be invited to lodge an application for residence visa. If your Expression of Interest is not selected from the pool the first time it will remain in the pool for three months. If it is still unsuccessful, NZIS will tell you that your Expression of Interest has been withdrawn from the pool. You can lodge another Expression of Interest if you wish to.

The points system is designed to allow Expressions of Interest to be ranked so that the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) can extend invitations to apply for residence to those who have the most to offer New Zealand. Points are available for skilled employment in New Zealand, work experience, qualifications and age. Bonus points are available for employment, work experience and qualifications in identified areas of growth or absolute skill shortage or within identified clusters. Bonus points are also available for employment outside Auckland and for New Zealand qualifications gained in New Zealand over at least two years. Your partner's employment and qualification can also gain bonus points.

NZIS will assess your application for residence against Government residence policy and look at your ability to settle successfully and make a real contribution to New Zealand's social and economic development. NZIS will also undertake further verification of some of the information you have provided in your Expression of Interest. Depending on how you are able to demonstrate your ability to settle in New Zealand successfully, your application can be approved with a residence visa or permit or a visa or permit which enables you to move from work to residence. It is then over to you to confirm your decision to come to New Zealand.

Click here to read New Zealand Immigration Visa FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

For Preliminary Assessment of your status fill the Questionnaire and submit the same application at our office address (we do not accept soft copies, please do send the hard copy).