Immigration Trust specialises in difficult immigration cases - Section 61, unlawful, deportation, visa declines, appeals to IPT, Ministerial intervention, partner visas, reconsideration, PPI, character waivers, medical waivers
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Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) 

This visa is for people who have skills that will contribute to New Zealand's economic growth. You will need to send an expression of interest (EOI), that details your work experience and qualifications.
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The Skilled Migrant Category Visa in New Zealand is a type of visa that allows individuals with skills and qualifications in demand to live, work, and study in New Zealand. It is a pathway to residency for skilled migrants and their families. The visa is points-based, and applicants must meet certain criteria to be eligible. They need to demonstrate their skills, work experience, qualifications, and ability to contribute to the New Zealand economy. Applicants can also include their partner and dependent children in their residence application. The Skilled Migrant Category Visa is subject to specific requirements and guidelines set by Immigration New Zealand.

You can apply for this visa if you currently work or you have a job offer from an accredited employer, and qualify for 6 points for your skills and work in New Zealand.
 
You will need to submit an expression of interest (EOI). If it is accepted, INZ will invite you to apply. The criteria to be eligible are as follows:

What you need to apply:

  • You, and anyone else included in your application, must provide proof of identity. You may include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under, in your residence application.
  • You must be aged 55 or younger at the time you apply
  • You, and anyone else included in your application, must be in good health
  • You, and anyone else included in your application, must be of good character
  • You must speak and understand English
  • You must have a skilled job or job offer with an accredited employer in New Zealand to apply

Other requirements:
​
  • Your New Zealand occupational registration must be eligible to qualify for points
  • Your qualification must be recognised to qualify for points
  • Your income you earn from your job must be at least 1.5 times the median wage to qualify for points
  • You can claim points for skilled work experience in New Zealand
  • If you include your partner and children in your application, you must have a genuine relationship with them
  • Your partner and children 16 and over must speak English or pay for classes to learn English in New Zealand
If you confirm you meet the base eligibility criteria to be granted a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, you can be invited to apply. 
Points to note:
​Claim 3 to 6 points for your qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher), New Zealand occupational registration or income. However, you cannot combine points from any of these skill categories. For example you cannot combine points from your qualification with points from your income.


Claim 1 point for each year of skilled work in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 points. These points can be combined with the points from your qualification, New Zealand occupational registration or income.
Check your points here!

SMC Points System


The SMC complements the Green List and Sector Agreement residence pathways, providing clear residence options for people depending on their job, qualification or wage.

All SMC applicants must have a job offer for, or current employment in, a role paid at least:
  • the median wage for occupations classified at ANZSCO skill level 1-3, or 
  • 1.5 times the median wage for occupations classified at ANZSCO skill level 4-5.

In addition, they need six points to apply. This can be made up from:
  • three to six points based on New Zealand occupational registration, or a recognised qualification or income; and
  • one point per year of work in a New Zealand skilled job, up to a maximum of three points. 
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Timeline of Application


After submitting your EOI, it will then be lined up along with other applications for processing. The assessment time varies and it depends on INZ’s caseload but it can roughly be between 8 weeks to 16 weeks.

​Then, should your EOI be chosen, INZ will complete a preliminary assessment of your provided information and you may be given a chance to apply for residence.

About 4 months will be given to you to submit the residency application from the date of receipt of your Invitation to Apply (ITA). You must send your application to INZ, along with other supporting documents and the required application fee.

After paying, the application process will commence and the process time it will take will be an average of 6 to 18 months.

Generally, if an application is complete, has no error in information, and provides all documentation in accordance to the INZ requirements, then the application process is more likely to be faster and successful.
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  • Home
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    • Unlawful
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  • Success Stories
  • Forms & Guides
    • INZ hub >
      • Fees
    • INZ Forms Hub for all INZ forms >
      • INZ1000-Residence Application
      • INZ1001-Additional Dependants for Residence in New Zealand
      • INZ1012-Student Visa Application
      • INZ1007-General Medical Certificate
      • INZ1014-Financial Undertaking for a Student
      • INZ1015-Work Visa Application
      • INZ1017-Visitor Visa Application
      • INZ1019-Transit Visa Application
      • INZ1020-Application for a Variation of Conditions or a Variation of Travel Conditions
      • INZ1021-Group Visa Application
      • INZ1022-Additional Group Visa Application
      • INZ1024-Sponsorship Form For Residence
      • INZ1025-Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry
      • INZ1027-Supplementary Form 补充表
      • INZ1056-Entrepreneur Residence Application
      • INZ1090-Employer Accreditation Application
      • INZ1091-Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form
      • INZ1094-Refugee Family Support Category Tier One Sponsor Registration Form
      • INZ1096-Chest X-ray Certificate
      • INZ1100-​Expression of Interest Form
      • INZ1103-​Expression of Interest Form Child Supplement
      • INZ1111-Visitor Visa Application for Auckland Region Applicants
      • INZ1113-Employer Supplementary Form
      • INZ1115-Skilled Migrant Category Application for Residence
      • INZ1140-Application for Recognised Seasonal Employer Status
      • INZ1141-Application for an Agreement to Recruit
      • INZ1142-Application to Work for a Recognised Seasonal Employer
      • INZ1146-Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications
      • INZ1153-SSE/WHE Work Visa Application
      • INZ1155-Group Transit Application
      • INZ1156-Additional Group Transit Application
      • INZ1158-Work Visa Application for China Skilled Work Instructions
      • INZ1167-Supplementary Seasonal Employment Approval in Principle
      • INZ1170-Parent Retirement Category Residence Application
      • INZ1172-Temporary Retirement Category Visitor Visa Application
      • INZ1175-Application from a Resident or Former Resident Visa Holder
      • INZ1177-Military Visa Application
      • INZ1178-Partnership Support Form for Residence
      • INZ1187-Performing Artists, Entertainers and Entertainment Industry Personnel Work Visa Application
      • INZ1188-China Tourist Visitor Visa Application
      • INZ1189-Tourist Business Visitor Visa Application
      • INZ1190-Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers
      • INZ1197-Entertainment Industry Accreditation Application
      • INZ1198-Partnership-Based Temporary Visa Application
      • INZ1200-Additional Information Application
      • INZ1202-Parent Category Expression of Interest Form
      • INZ1204-Request for Approval in Principle to Recruit Foreign Crew of Fishing Vessels
      • INZ1205-Additional Dependants for a Visitor Visa
      • INZ1206-Parent Category Residence Application
      • INZ1212-Formal Notification of Crew Deserter
      • INZ1217-Verpflichtungserklärung über die finanzielle Unterstützung eines Studenten/Schülers Financial Undertaking for a Student
      • INZ1220-Supplementary Form
      • INZ1222-Entrepreneur Work Visa Application
      • INZ1223-Working Holiday Scheme Second Work Visa Application
      • INZ1225-Work Visa Declaration Form
      • INZ1226-Student Visa Declaration Form
      • INZ1227-Labour Hire Employer Accreditation Application
      • INZ1235-Employer Supplementary Form for Skilled Migrant Category
      • INZ1241-To recruit overseas workers under Essential Skills Work Instructions
      • INZ1266-Essential Skills Work Visa Application
      • INZ1279 Employer Accreditation Declaration Form
    • Immigration Matters >
      • Visitor Visa
      • Study Visa >
        • Changes to Study Visa - After Covid
      • Accredited Employer Work Visa >
        • Employer Check for AEWV
        • Accredited Employer Work Visa Implementation Process
        • Accredited Employer Work Visa Requirements
        • Employer accreditation for AEW
        • Accredited Employer Job Check requirements
        • AEWV Employer's Flyer in Hindi
        • STANDARD AND HIGH-VOLUME ACCREDITATION
      • Migrant Exploitation Protection work visa
      • Post Study Work Visa
      • Green List Visa
      • Interim Visa
      • SMC >
        • Possible questions from your case officer to your employer
        • List of ANZSCO occupations treated as an exception
      • Resident Visa >
        • Green List Resident Visa
      • Permanent Resident Visa
      • Parent Visa
      • Entrepreneur Work Visa >
        • Free Entrepreneur Work Visa Pre-Assessment
      • Entrepreneur Residence Visa
      • Variations of Conditions
      • PPI
      • BONA FIDE
      • Appeal Review
      • Complaint to INZ >
        • Report to INZ
      • Employer Assistance
      • Character Waiver
    • New Zealand Immigration Guides >
      • Differences between Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa in New Zealand
      • INZ 1199 Partnership-Based Temporary Visa Guide
      • INZ1016 Work Visa Guide
      • New Zealand Visa Applications Fee
      • New Zealand Visa Processing Time
      • New Zealand Visa Prevent Delays
      • New Zealand Police Certificate
      • Visa Photos
  • About Us
    • Founder & CEO
    • Immigration Trust Team
    • How we work and Policies
  • Contact