SM9.10 Bonus points for partners’ recognised qualifications (28/08/2017)
Recognised qualifications held by the partner of a principal applicant qualify for the following points:
Level on the New Zealand Qualification Framework
Points
7 or 8
10
9 or 10
20
A partner's recognised qualification only qualifies for points under this provision if:
the partner is included in the application; and
the partner meets the English language requirements for principal applicants (see SM4.15); and
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 meet Partnership category criteria (see F2.15).
Despite SM9.10 (a), if a partner of a principal applicant holds a recognised New Zealand qualification at levels 3, 4, 5 or 6 on the NZQF, they will be eligible for 10 points if:
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
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 or before 24 July 2011.