Skilled migration to New Zealand

Skilled migration to New Zealand operates on a points-based system that offers a number of paths to permanent residence. As New Zealand's most popular migration category, skilled migration is targeted towards migrants who will increase New Zealand's level of human capital and innovation.

New Zealand skilled visa criteria

A number of basic requirements must be satisfied before you consider submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in applying for New Zealand residence. These include the requirement that:

  • You must be in good health
  • You must be of good character
  • You must have a reasonable standard of English
  • You must be less than 55 years of age.

Your EOI provides Immigration New Zealand with an indication of your suitability for permanent skilled migration to New Zealand. You need to score a minimum of 100 points to be eligible to submit an EOI.

In your EOI , points are scored according to the following factors:

Close family in New Zealand

You can be allocated points if you have a family sponsor provided that your sponsor is a New Zealand citizen, or has been a resident for three years, and is you or your spouse's parent, brother, sister or child.

Provided you achieve the minimum number of points, your EOI will go into the EOI pool where EOI s are ranked from highest to lowest. Immigration New Zealand makes regular selections from the pool and if your EOI is selected, and the information provided within your EOI can be verified, Immigration New Zealand may then offer you an 'Invitation to Apply' for New Zealand residence.

Once you are invited to apply for residence you will be required to evidence your claims in addition to satisfying New Zealand's health, character and English language requirements.

Note that your chances of being selected from the EOI pool are greatly increased if you can show that you have an offer of employment from an accredited New Zealand employer in a field considered to be skilled employment.

Job offer

Points are scored if you currently have a job in New Zealand or a genuine offer of skilled employment in New Zealand. Bonus points are available to those with job offers outside of Auckland, in areas of acute skill shortages, future growth areas, having a spouse with qualifications, work experience in New Zealand and New Zealand qualifications.

Work experience

Points can be allocated for work experience previously gained lawfully in New Zealand.

Age

You must be between the age of 18 and 55 at the time you lodge your application.