SM8.25 Bonus points: New Zealand qualifications

Recognised New Zealand qualifications qualify for points as follows:

d. Qualifications gained with New Zealand Scholarship funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will not qualify for bonus points.

SM8.25.1 Bonus points for New Zealand qualifications gained before, or commenced on or before 25 July 2011

1. If SM8.25 (a), (b), and (c) above do not apply, the principal applicant may be eligible for New Zealand qualification bonus points under SM8.25.1 if they:
   1. gained the qualification before 25 July 2011; or
   2. had commenced a programme of study towards a recognised New Zealand qualification on or before 24 July 2011.
2. Two years of full-time study in New Zealand towards a recognised New Zealand qualification qualifies for 5 points, providing the full-time study was over four semesters during a period of at least 16 months.
3. A recognised basic New Zealand qualification from level four up to and including level eight on the NZQF qualifies for 5 points.

SM8.25.1.1 Definition of 'full-time study' for the purpose of the Skilled Migrant Category

Study undertaken in New Zealand is defined as full-time where:

1. an undergraduate student at a tertiary education institution was enrolled in at least three papers per semester; or
2. a postgraduate student at a tertiary education institution was enrolled in either a programme of study:
   1. that resulted in at least 100 credits per calendar year; or
   2. with a workload of at least 20 hours per week; or
3. a student at a private training establishment was enrolled in:
   1. a programme of study that requires attendance for a minimum of 20 hours per week; or
   2. at least three papers, or equivalent, per semester if the programme of study is at level 7 or above on the New Zealand Qualification Framework.

Effective 13/05/2019