2015-Oct 30: SMC points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland

Visa Pak 234 - Information about SMC bonus points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland effective 1 November 2015 and relevant conditions applicable.

Visa Paks

30 October 2016

SMC points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland

As outlined in Amendment Circular 2015-08, effective 1 November 2015, bonus points awarded under the Skilled Migrant Category for skilled employment outside the Auckland region will increase from 10 to 30 points.

To ensure applicants remain outside of Auckland, Section 49(1) conditions will apply to applicants who are awarded points for a job offer or current employment outside of Auckland and have been in that job for less than three months. These applicants will be restricted from changing to a job in Auckland for at least 12 months. They would, however, be able to change jobs and regions outside of Auckland. These new conditions will become operational through amendments to instructions SM4.30, effective on 1 November 2015.

Please note:

  • Existing Expressions of Interest with a status of Created, Submitted or Selected with a ‘Yes’ answer for ‘Is your skilled employment outside Auckland?’ will be updated from 10 points to 30 points on 1 November.
  • 30 points will be awarded in AMS when any region other than ‘Auckland’ is selected for the Determination question ‘Region of employment’, on any Skilled Migrant Category application tendered on or after 1 November. If an applicant was invited to apply before
    1 November with 10 points for skilled employment outside Auckland, they can be awarded 30 points if their application is tendered on or after 1 November.
  • If an applicant has been employed outside Auckland for more than three months and less than 12 months, Section 49(1) conditions will not apply.
  • Nothing will change for applicants with skilled employment inside Auckland. If they have an offer of skilled employment or current skilled employment for less than three months, standard Section 49(1) conditions will still apply.

 

Action

Please discuss with your team(s) and ensure all staff are familiar with these changes.