Why are changes being made to the Skilled Migrant Category?
The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) was recently reviewed by the Department of Labour. As a result of the review, changes were recommended to enhance the SMC.
When will the changes take effect?
The changes to the Work to Residence component of the SMC that came into effect in April 2007 were the first stage of changes to the SMC. You can read about these changes here .
The Minister of Immigration announced further changes on 6 June 2007 to modify the SMC bonus points. These changes will come into effect on and after 30 July 2007. All SMC applications made on or after 30 July 2007 will be assessed against the new policy.
The Minister of Immigration also announced changes to provide a more transparent and objective definition of skilled employment. This change will come into effect in November 2007.
Finally, the Minister of Immigration announced ongoing work to update and expand the List of Recognised Qualifications. These improvements are currently being explored by the Department of Labour and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Changes to the List of Recognised Qualifications will be progressively implemented.
What changes will be made to the SMC on 30 July 2007?
The changes to the SMC that will be implemented in July concern the bonus points that applicants can claim. From 30 July 2007 the following changes will come into effect:
- Applicants will be eligible for an increased number of bonus points for skilled employment, recognised qualifications and work experience in an identified future growth area.
- A restructure of how bonus points will be awarded for study in New Zealand.
- The introduction of bonus points for a post-graduate recognised New Zealand qualification (eg Masters or Doctorate).
- An increase in the number of bonus points awarded for a principal applicant’s partner’s recognised qualification.
- An increase in the number of bonus points awarded for a principal applicant’s partner’s offer of skilled employment in New Zealand (or current skilled employment).
- A reduction in the number of years of work experience in New Zealand required to claim the applicable bonus points.
- Removal of bonus points for skilled employment, recognised qualifications and work experience in an identified cluster.
Should I wait until after the July changes come into effect to submit an EOI?
No, you should submit your EOI as soon as possible to be eligible for selection from the EOI pool (currently selections are made fortnightly). Once your EOI is entered into the pool it will remain in the pool for six months (or until selected). When the changes to SMC bonus points come into effect on 30 July 2007 a number of changes (to reflect the policy changes) will be automatically made to your EOI. If there are changes that can’t be made automatically, you will be advised which questions need to be manually edited.
I have been invited to apply for residence under the SMC. Do the July changes affect me?
Yes, the changes may affect you. All applications that are made with Immigration New Zealand are assessed against the policy that is in effect at the date the application is made. Therefore, SMC applications that are made before 30 July 2007 will be assessed against the current policy. Applications that are made on or after 30 July 2007 will be assessed against the SMC policy that includes the changes to bonus points.
I have been invited to apply for residence under the SMC. Should I wait until the policy changes come into effect to make my SMC application?
No, you should submit your SMC application as soon you are able to. Remember, you must make your SMC application within four months of the date of the letter inviting you to apply for residence. We cannot accept applications made after this four month period.
My EOI included a claim of bonus points for identified clusters. Will this be a problem?
SMC applications made before 30 July 2007 will not be affected by the removal of cluster bonus points.
If you have an offer of skilled employment and therefore possibly eligible to claim identified cluster bonus points, you will not be eligible to be awarded the cluster bonus points if you make your SMC application on or after 30 July 2007. If you are in this situation you should contact the immigration/visa officer who invited you to apply for residence to ensure that you will still be eligible for residence after your cluster bonus points are removed on 30 July 2007.
Will my SMC application be assessed against the policy that was in effect when my EOI was submitted or selected?
No, the date that your EOI is submitted or selected does not indicate what policy your subsequent SMC application will be assessed under. An EOI does not form an application with Immigration New Zealand; it is the date that the actual SMC application is made that determines what policy the application will be assessed under.
Where can I obtain further information from?
As further details about the July and November changes to the SMC policy become available they will be available at the ‘latest news’ section of our website. We recommend that you check the ‘latest news’ section of our website on a regular basis.
What has the Minister of Immigration said about the changes to the SMC?
The press release about the change to the work to residence component of the SMC made in April 2007 is available here.
The Minister of Immigration’s media statement about the upcoming SMC changes is available here.