SM17.5 Bonus points for a partner's recognised qualifications (25/07/2011)

1. Recognised qualifications (see SM14.5) held by the partner of a principal applicant qualify for the following points:

   Level on the New Zealand Qualification Framework	Points
   three – must be on the List of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception (SM14.10.10) four - must be recognised in SM14.10 (e) five, or six	10
   seven to 10	20

2. A partner's recognised qualification only qualifies for points under this provision if:
   1. the partner is included in the application; and
   2. the partner meets the English language requirements for principal applicants (see SM5.5); and
   3. an immigration officer is satisfied that the principal applicant and their partner have been living together for 12 months or more in a partnership that is genuine and stable (see F2.10.1) and otherwise meets Partnership instructions (see F2.15).
3. Despite (a), if a partner of a principal applicant holds a recognised New Zealand qualification at levels three, four, five, and six on the NZQF, they will be eligible for 20 points if:
   1. the qualification would have met the requirements for the award of points under the Skilled Migrant Category that was in effect on 24 July 2011; and
   2. the qualification was completed before 25 July 2011 or they had commenced a course of study, resulting in the qualification for which they are claiming points, on 24 July 2011.

Effective 25/07/2011