If are thinking of emigrating to New Zealand, then this article is for you.
The Skilled Migrant route is a way to help New Zealand to fill their employment needs. Applicants are selected based upon the value they can add to the New Zealand economy and labour force. This the category that most immigrants to New Zealand qualify under.
The Skilled Migrant route has been segregated into three different categories, nl. :
a) Residence
b) Work to Residence
c) Residence from Work
Each has it’s own unique situation when you can apply under this route.
Permanent Residence
The permanent residence category is for immigrants that immediately qualify for full permanent residence status to New Zealand. Applicants who apply under this category are generally granted residence based on the strength of their qualifications or work related experience, but it can also be granted on the strength of an approved job offer.
An advantage of gaining permanent residence before landing in New Zealand is that the new resident can then immediately start work in any job which makes the initial job search and the subsequent settling in a lot easier. The applicants immediate family can also be included in this application, so they will then also gain residence as part of the skilled migrant application process. There are however certain factors that determine which immediate family members qualify for inclusion in the application. Applicants also need to be under 55 when they apply under this route.
Work to Residence
Work to Residence may be granted to those that don’t immediately qualify for full permanent residence, but have the ability and / or skills to successfully integrate and contribute to the New Zealand economy. A work to residence permit is in essence a work permit which after two years can be converted to Permanent Residence.
An applicant may be granted a Work to Residence permits if :
1) They have applied for and qualify for full permanent residence, but the New Zealand Immigration Service have reservations about the applicants ability to successfully adapt and integrate into New Zealand. They then issue the applicant with a Work to Residence permit to give them the ability to prove that they can settle successfully.
or
A potential immigrant can also apply for a Work to Residence permit immediately under these categories if they don’t qualify under the Full Residence category :
2) Long Term Skills Shortage list – an applicant who has a valid job offer from a New Zealand employer and that skill is listed on the Long Term Skills Shortage list may be able to apply for a Work to Residence permit. Applicants need to be under 53 years of age to apply under this category.
It is important to note that certain occupations cannot be practiced in New Zealand unless the person has gained the suitable occupation registration. New Zealand Immigration Service requires applicants that apply under these skills categories to register and / or obtain provisional registration before they will be granted a permit under the Skilled Migrant category.
3) Talent (Accredited Employer) – Many of the employers in New Zealand have been approved to search for and employ staff from overseas. A suitable candidate who receives a job offer from one of these employers, can then you apply under the Work to Residence category. There are certain conditions that need to be met before one can apply under this category, for instance : minimum wage conditions need to be met and the position offered needs to meet certain skill criteria.
4) Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) – Persons who have internationally recognised talents and abilities in the arts, culture or sports areas, and who have the ability to enhance New Zealand’s reputation internationally, may also be able to apply under the Work to Residence category. The applicant would need to be sponsored by a New Zealand organisation of national repute to qualify.
The Work to Residence category is only available to persons who are 55 years and younger at the time of application.
A Work to Residence permit is only issued to the principle applicant and does not include any family members. Certain immediate family members can however apply for their own visitor, work or student permits in order to accompany the principle applicant.
The final category under the Skilled Migrant route is the Residence from Work category
Residence from Work
Applicants can only apply under this category if they have been working in New Zealand for two years or more already. Generally potential immigrants will apply under this category if they are here under a Work to Residence permit or they have been working here for two or more years under a general work permit in order to gain the required points to apply for permanent residence. This option is also only available to persons aged 55 or under at the time of their application.
