How do I know if I am eligible for New Zealand emigration?
You may be eligible to emigrate to New Zealand with their Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. Check if you qualify using this point guide.
Prerequisites to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
To be eligible for this visa, you must meet all these minimum requirements:
- An acceptable standard of health
- Be of good character
- Have proven English language capabilities
- Be under the age of 56 years
- Score a minimum of 100 points.
Calculate your points score
Use this table to calculate your score.
| Current skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand | 50 |
| Area of absolute skill shortage | 10 |
| A region outside of Auckland | 30 |
| Partner’s skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand | 20 |
| High remuneration | 20 |
| Skilled work experience of two years | 10 |
| Four years | 20 |
| Six years | 30 |
| Eight years | 40 |
| Ten or more years | 50 |
| One or more year of skilled work experience in New Zealand | 10 |
| Two to five years’ work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage | 10 |
| Six years or more work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage | 15 |
| Recognised level 3 qualification (if included in the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment) | 40 |
| Recognised level 4-6 qualification | 40 |
| Recognised level 7 or 8 qualification | 50 |
| Recognised level 9 or 10 qualification | 70 |
| Two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised New Zealand Bachelor degree (level 7) | 10 |
| One year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification | 10 |
| Two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification | 15 |
| Partner qualification – recognised level 7 or 8 | 10 |
| Partner qualification – recognised level 9+ | 20 |
| Aged 20 – 39 years | 30 |
| 40 – 44 years | 20 |
| 45 – 49 years | 10 |
| 50 – 55 years | 5 |
What if you scored over 100 points?
Unfortunately, that is a minimum requirement. While you can, in theory, submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) and apply; a score of at least 160 gives you a realistic chance for your EOI to be selected.
Additionally, the categories for qualifications, work experience, and job offers are more complex than they seem at face value and often don’t add up to the necessary points.
It is better to get a professional assessment and guidance on the process.
The Tri-Nations Migration team are the best emigration advisers to provide you with assistance when emigrating to New Zealand or Australia. Contact us to find out more about the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
