• Calculate your points
• Gather your documents
• Get your Qualification assessed by NZQA
• Get assessment of skills shortage if required
• Submit your Expression of Interest- EOI
• Receive invitation to apply for Residence
• Send complete application for residence visa to Immigration Zealand for skilled migration visa

• Applicants for SMC category must have good health
• They must have good character
• They must good English language ability demonstrated by Overall IELTS band score of 6.5 or an equivalent alternate acceptable test score
• Applicants must be aged less than 55
• Applicants must have recognised qualification
• Applicants must have comparable work experience
• Applicants must meet the minimum point’s criteria

In order to claim points for a recognised qualification for the applicant and any points for partner qualification you need to have your overseas qualification assessed by NZQA New Zealand qualification authority at an appropriate level. Applicants need to submit IQA- International qualification assessment by NZQA for Immigration purposes. IQA compares the overseas qualification of the SMC applicants to the level on the NZQF- New Zealand Qualification framework. You must have an IQA or your qualification must be exempt for NZQA assessment for you to claim points for your qualification. There is a fee for IQA. The process time is about one month from the date NZQA received your complete application. Applicants may also require skill shortage assessment add on as a part of their NZQA assessment for some occupations listed on the skills shortage list.

Under SMC Zealand residence visa applicants must meet the minimum point’s threshold of 100 points. Currently Immigration New Zealand is accepting EOI with a minimum score of 160 points. English language requirement is compulsory to meet. There are no points awarded for English language.

• Points for age from 5 points to 30 points
• Points for recognised qualification level 3 to level 10 from 40 points to 70 points
• Bonus points for a New Zealand qualification 10 points to 15 points
• Points for skilled work experience overseas 10 points to 50 points
• Bonus points for skilled work experience in New Zealand 10 points
• Bonus points for work experience in area of absolute skills shortage 10 points to 15 points
• Partner recognised qualification 10 points to 20 points
• Skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand 50 points

In order to be eligible to apply for New Zealand skilled visa under skilled migrant category your occupation must be listed on the Long Term skill shortage list. This list covers the occupations where there is shortage of skilled workers throughout New Zealand. This list is not specific to any region in New Zealand and covers whole of the country. This list is compulsory for applicants who wish to apply under SMZ residence visa for New Zealand. The applicants may also be eligible for bonus points in an area of absolute skills shortage if the qualification is listed on the LTSSL. In order to claim points for work experience if your experience is not in a comparable labour market and claim bonus points for recognised qualification you must fulfil all the conditions listed on the Long Term skills shortage list.

Stage 1 Expression of interest EOI

---

• Expression of interest fees NZD 530
• Validity of expression of interest in the pool 6 months
• After selection of expression of interest from the pool review time for EOI 3 weeks

---

Stage 2 Apply for residence

---

• Application fees NZD 3310
• Apply within 4 months of receiving ITA- Invitation to apply for residence visa
• Processing time with Immigration New Zealand about 18 months

West Highlander is an immigration consultancy based in Chandigarh offering sound advice and services to applicants wishing to apply for residence visas to New Zealand. The director of West Highlander Mrs Parwinder Kaur is a full licensed adviser licensed by Immigration adviser authority, New Zealand and is authorized to represent and file skilled migrant visa application with New Zealand embassy. We have years of experience in the field and can provide you with sound advice.  New Zealand  skilled migration category  involves many steps like qualification assessment from NZQA- New Zealand Qualification Authority, assessment from relevant assessing authority, calculating points to be eligible, filling expression of interest, , completing documentation required once invitation to apply is received. For all these steps you need services of an expert, experienced and qualified skilled migration consultant. West Highlander has team of experts who are equipped to provide all these services efficiently.