Points System

Points System

For applications submitted as an EOI (Expression of Interest) for migration, the New Zealand Immigration Service applies a points system to judge an applicants eligibility. The NZIS then places all applications into a 'pool' from which they do a draw every two weeks.

It all sounds very complicated but quite simply it means:

all applications who score over 140 points in the following table are automatically invited to apply for residence providing that all requirements have been met.

applicants that score between 100 and 140 are then considered on an individual basis and decisions are made based on qualifications and work experience in areas that are listed on the NZIS Immediate Skills Shortage List (ISSL) and/or the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL).

those who do not score 100 points or over are declined.

If you are not invited to apply for residence from the EOI 'pool' system, or your application has been declined, this does not affect any other applications you would like to make to visit or migrate to NZ. It simply means that you are not eligible at this time and need to consider ways of increasing the number of points you score.

The Skilled Migrant Category:

Skilled Requirements:
Current employment in NZ for 12 months or more (ongoing)	60
Offer of employment in New Zealand or current employment i n NZ for less than 12 months (but minimum of 3 months)	50

Bonus points for employment or offer of employment in NZ:
An identified future growth area or cluster	5
An area of absolute skills shortage	10
Region outside Auckland	10
Spouse/ partner employment or offer of employment	10

Relevant work experience:
2 years	10
4 years	15
6 years	20
8 years	25
10 years	30

Additional bonus points if work experience in New Zealand:
2 years	5
4 years	10
6 years or more	15

Additional bonus points if work experience in an identified future growth area cluster:
2 to 5 years	5
6 years or more	10

Additional bonus points if work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage:
2 to 5 years	10
6 years or more	15

Qualifications:
Recognised basic qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma, bachelors’ degree with Honors).	50
Recognised post –graduate qualification (Masters degree or doctorate)	55

Bonus points for:
Recognised NZ qualification (and at least two years study in NZ)	10
Qualification in an identified future growth area or identified cluster	5
Qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage	10
Spouse / partner qualifications	10

Close family in NZ:	10

Age:
20 – 29	30
30 – 39	25
40 – 44	20
45 – 49	10
50 – 55	5