In order to be successful with an application to New Zealand under the skilled migrant category, a skilled offer of employment is a requirement. Since amendments were made to the migration process in August 2017, Immigration New Zealand places an emphasis on the remuneration offered, the duties to be performed and the occupational skill level of the job offer that the immigrant receives in New Zealand. They asses eligible migrants to not only be able to obtain a work visa into New Zealand but also to be to obtain residence through the skilled migrant category.
To define the requirements, they work on ANZSCO skill levels. ANZSCO stands for Australia New Zealand standard classification of occupations. range from skill level one through to skill level five. The immigrant not only has the option of a work visa but also is able to obtain residence through two visa categories; the skilled migrant category (SMC) and the residence from work category.
Get a job offer
The greater percentage of migrants are more successful in their visa application with a job offer that meets the minimum requirements from Immigration New Zealand’s perspective. These include but are not limited to, the employment being full time, genuine and sustainable and paid at the correct remuneration threshold.
Migrants will likely apply under one of two Work to Residence. For the essential skills work visas, in order to be eligible for the SMC residence application, the job offer must meet the minimum remuneration requirement according to the ANZSCO skill level of the occupation as set out below. For example, an ANZSCO code of skill level one to three means that the candidate must be earning a minimum remuneration of NZ$25 per hour.
If it is in an ANZSCO code of skill level four to five, the minimum remuneration requirement is NZ$37.50 Per Hour. If the migrant receives a job offer with what is known as an Accredited employer, the current minimum salary requirement in order to be eligible for the Residence from work application is NZ$55,000 per year based on a 40 hour work week. These are strong rumours that there will be an increase of up to NZ$73,000 per year for this category, however, this has not been finalised or confirmed by Immigration New Zealand.
Points-tested visas
If you are on an Essential skills work visa you may be eligible to apply for residence once you meet the 160 points requirement for the SMC residence visa.
Currently, SMC residence applications are being processed within 10 months and you would need to remain on a valid temporary visa while awaiting the outcome, such as with a work visa. This is a point tested visa, which requires the migrant to have at least 160 points in order to be eligible for selection from an Expression on interest pool. The points are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, age, qualifications, work experience, job offer, partner job offer and partner qualifications.
To be awarded points for work experience and job offer, an immigrant must be considered to be skilled. Applicants must have been adequately qualified by training or experience for the roles in which they claim skilled work experience and skilled employment.
The qualification or experience required by the ANZSCO description for the occupation must be relevant to the nominated occupation and must have been completed before the years of work experience for which points are being claimed.
This does not necessarily mean you need to have a formal qualification like a trade certificate or a degree(although a formal qualification is always beneficial) to be successful with an application to New Zealand as Immigration New Zealand can deem you skilled based on the amount of work experience relevant to your occupation.
Should any points be claimed for a partner job offer, the partner must meet the same requirements as the principal applicant.
Accredited Employer
If an offer of employment is from a New Zealand accredited employer, the work visa that is applied for is a talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa. This visa opens the residence from work pathway, which means that after two years (from employment start date) you can submit the residence application. This pathway requires fewer steps, costs less, does not include an Expression of interest application, where you need to prove you are skilled, and you do not need to wait to be invited to apply. So at the end of the day, with this visa, its all about the job offer.
Network Migration Services can assist you with your process of immigration to Australia or New Zealand. Should it be a holiday, student or work visa for a shorter stay, we too can assist. We have over 20 years’ experience in the immigration process to Australia and New Zealand.
Our principal agent and owner is a fully licensed agent for Australia and New Zealand and a member of MIA and NZAMI. We pride ourselves in having first-hand knowledge of all the legislation and requirements-ensuring all our clients are advised correctly. We boast a 99% success rate on all our cases and can assist you from anywhere in the world.