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New Challenges for migrants and employers in the construction industry

November 3, 2016 by Network Migration

To be eligible for selection from the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool a migrant must be able to claim 160 points from the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) points system. This is a very high threshold and many of the migrants with families in NZ now find that they cannot apply for residence in NZ.

Prior to the latest changes to the immigration policy

Recently a migrant with a score of 100 points or more, with skilled employment in NZ was able to submit an EOI and be selected from the pool. Many migrants currently on work visas in NZ in the range of 40 years or older, with more than 10 years of experience in construction and building trades do not have a qualification that is recognised by INZ that would qualify for points on the Expression of Interest (EOI).

Those with industry certificates or apprenticeship certificates generally find that after an NZQA assessment the level of their certificates are less than a National Certificate level 4. How the points system works in these circumstances 40 years or older with 10 or more years’ experience, and no qualifications can claim:

• Employment – 50-60 points • Work experience – 30 points

• Age 40 to 55 years of age 20 – 5 points Maximum available points from this list is a score of 125 There are bonus points that may be claimed in certain circumstances: • Working outside of Auckland claim a further 30 bonus points

• Bonus points for NZ work experience – 5 to 15 points • Bonus points for a partners recognised qualification is 20 and/or • Partners skilled employment in NZ is 20

• If close family live in NZ a further 10 bonus points Not all Principal Applicants partners have recognised qualifications or skilled employment in NZ, or close family that are permanent residents or citizens in NZ, and the big construction contracts are mainly in Auckland therefore these bonus points are not always easy to claim.

What happens to these migrants now?

Employers often find that the migrants that have worked for more than 10 in construction or building trades have more knowledge and experience to draw on and can undertake more complex tasks than the younger migrants with technical institution qualifications but less time in the industry.

The change to the EOI points requirement (160) leaves many of these migrants with no options under the current SMC instructions. Migrants can continue applying for Essential Skills work visas for a while but there is no pathway to residency under the current SMC requirements for these migrants.

What can be done to sort out the mess?

Accredited Employer certification from INZ is now the best way an employer has to secure off shore employees and offer a pathway to residence under the ‘talent’ criteria. This requires an employer to provide relevant business information to INZ for assessment.

Once INZ is satisfied that the information from the employer meets the Accredited Employer requirements a 12 month certificate is issued to the employer. This must be renewed annually. An employer looking to secure talent from off shore as and when needed to meet construction deadlines and contractual obligations should consider the Accredited Employer option as way to continue to attract the best migrants to NZ to meet the company’s staffing needs.

Who can offer assistance with the INZ policy and requirements?

The use of an experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser is the best defence against wasting time and money trying to navigate through the INZ requirements and policy changes. Please contact  Andrew Kerr – andrew@networkmigration.com of Network Migration Services in South Africa for advice.


Filed Under: Important Updates, New Zealand Tagged With: new zealand, visas

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Letter of Recommendation

To Everybody Thinking of Emigrating,

My partner and I would like to write this letter of recommendation for Network Migration, as they have been absolutely amazing in assisting us in emigrating to New Zealand.

It all started with a seminar and a brief introduction to New Zealand, with topics like medical care, schooling, work, housing and lifestyle being discussed. This gave us an idea of what New Zealand is like and we could get an idea if this is a place that we could live and settle.

After this, we scheduled a private appointment with Andrew Kerr and he really took the time to listen to our reasons for wanting to emigrate and what our goals are. He then discussed with us our family, our work, our qualifications and all the things that would determine whether we would be legible to emigrate. He explained to us the various pathways that we could use in order to actually emigrate and settle in New Zealand. What I really liked was the fact that he was so straight forward with us. He did not sugar coat anything, and he was upfront as to whether we would actually be able to get in, and what our challenges would be.

The emigration process does not happen overnight. It is a process. Andrew and his entire team were with us every step of the way. They sent through all the necessary documentation as and when it was needed, and assisted us in completing it in the correct way. They looked over everything, and ensured that all documentation was in the correct format for New Zealand and presented in a way that was satisfactory for the immigration officials. They advised us as to when certain things needed to be done (e.g. police clearances and medicals) and helped in ensuring that everything was done timeously. They were always available to take our calls and discuss our concerns with us, and even to this day after they have completed their obligation, they are always willing to help in giving advice or answering a question. Andrew’s door is always open, and his team are absolutely amazing.

I recall one specific incident, when my partner first left South Africa to enter New Zealand to look for a job. About two days before he was due to leave, Andrew phoned him and told him that there had been an influx of South Africans entering New Zealand and that he would be flagged as he left South Africa, and most likely pulled aside and questioned by an official when he entered New Zealand. Andrew advised him as to how to handle this legally, and what to say so that everything was honest, legal and above-board, and so that he would be able to enter New Zealand legally. He prepared my partner, and when this did happen, he knew exactly what to do. Andrew and the team at Network Migration are really on the ball with things like this. They know the law and they know how to handle challenges along the way, and everything is done legally and above-board.

Shane and I would like to thank Andrew and the entire team at Network Migrations for all of their hard work and support in getting us to New Zealand, and for making the process so much easier.

We would like to highly recommend them to anybody considering emigrating, as they really are an absolutely amazing team.

Thank you so much😊

Kind Regards,
Shane & Michelle