Skilled Migrant Category reopening
When we will select expressions of interest for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Waiting for a visa
- COVID-19 information
- Checking your visa application status
- How long it takes to process an application
- Why some applications are processed faster than others
- Fees, decision times & where to apply
- Request or change your personal information
- Skilled Migrant Category reopening
- Employment Visa Escalation process
Selections of EOIs for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa resumed at 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT). The selection on 11 November was at 160 points. From 18 January 2023, EOIs need to have at least 180 points to be selected.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) are receiving high volumes of applications. Your International Qualification Assessment (IQA) may be delayed.
If you are invited to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa you can upload:
- your IQA results, or
- evidence you have submitted your qualification to NZQA for assessment.
We will ask to see your IQA after you have submitted your SMC application.
The long-term direction of the Skilled Migrant Category is being reviewed and there may be changes in the future.
If you have previously submitted an EOI, you can choose to continue or withdraw it. If you withdraw your EOI before it is selected you can request a refund.
If you want to continue, you should check your details are correct and add any new information before 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT). You can also claim any additional points.
You must ensure your EOI is up to date before selection begins.
Update your SMC expression of interest
You can withdraw your EOI
You can choose to withdraw your EOI at any time, but you cannot get a refund if your EOI has been selected. This is because the fee you pay covers the costs of assessing your EOI.
If you withdraw before selections begin at 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT) you can request a refund.
To withdraw, you need to complete and send us a Customer Refund Request Form.
Selection process
When we start selection, we will check your EOI to ensure the right number of points for your age, experience, employment, and qualifications.
If you meet the points threshold, you will be invited to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
The first selection in November is expected to have a large number of EOIs. You may have to wait to hear from us as we work through the initial selection.
EOIs submitted before 11 May 2022 which do not result in an invitation to apply will expire and will not be reselected.
How a Skilled Migrant Category EOI expires
Invitations to apply
If you are invited to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa you will have four months to submit your application.
Submissions are made online.
If you are invited to apply for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa you will need to meet:
- the 2021 median wage of $27.76 an hour if your EOI was selected before 27 February 2023, or
- the 2023 median wage of $29.66 an hour if your EOI was selected after 27 February 2023.
You should have all your information and documents ready when you submit your application. Check the file size requirements in the form when you are making your application and make sure the files you have are not too big to upload.
File formats for uploading documents and photographs
You will need to supply these documents:
- a photo of yourself and of each person included in your application
- a copy of your passport and a copy for each person included in this application. Include the page with the photo and details on it.
- police certificates for you and any family member 17 years or older. Include certificates for any country you or your family member have lived in for more than 12 months and any country where you hold citizenship.
Who needs to provide police certificates
You may also need to supply:
- your EOI
- employment documents
- evidence of your qualifications or your partner's qualifications
- skilled work experience documentation for you and your partner
- a timeline and supporting evidence of your relationship with your partner
- proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate, for any dependent children you have included in this application
- a completed Employer Supplementary form (INZ1235)
- a completed Resident Visa Declaration form (INZ1242) if someone helped you complete this form or if you are including a partner or children who are over 18 years old in your application
- a completed Additional Dependants for Residence in New Zealand form (INZ1001).
You may need to upload evidence of your English language background or English language test results. If you submitted your EOI on or before 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT) and you are invited to apply, you can upload English test results that are more than 2 years old. If you submitted your EOI after 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT), your test results must be less than 2 years old.
Application fees must be paid when you complete the online form.
We will contact you if we need more information or any extra documents.
Selection dates
The first selection was at 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT). All EOIs with at least 160 points were selected.
The second selection was on 18 January 2023. All EOIs with at least 180 points were selected.
After 18 January 2023, selections will be monthly, occurring on the third Wednesday of each month. All EOIs with at least 180 points will be selected.
Consultation on future changes
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is consulting on the long-term direction of the Skilled Migrant Category.
Future of the Skilled Migrant Category | MBIE.govt.nz