New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa to re-open [1]
Thursday, October 13, 2022 - 22:43
The New Zealand Government has announced the re-opening of two more visa categories for migrants to become residents there, starting this November.
We are resuming the Skilled Migrant Category under the current settings to help attract more workers. The first selection will be at 160 points, and subsequent selections at an increased threshold of 180 points, to better align with the future direction of the category and our rebalance goals."
In addition, over 12,000 international migrants have applied for 511 different occupations across New Zealand since the Accredited Employer Work Visa opened.
The Skilled Migrant Category provides a pathway for retaining the majority of these much needed skills in New Zealand permanently, strengthening our nation’s resilience to global shocks and economic security into the future, he said.
The first selections for the upcoming Skilled Migrant Category will be based on the existing 160 points. Future selections will be at an increased threshold of 180 points.
People with existing expressions of interest (EOIs) will be advised how to update these, or withdraw and request a refund.
The Skilled Migrant Category provides a pathway to intake people with much needed skills and to retain them in New Zealand permanently.
At the same time, the resuming of selections a new system will be consulted to address future proof of the category and further improve the new Green List and Highly Paid residence pathways.
“Our proposed changes, include removing the planning range, so that all applications that meet the criteria will be processed.
It will also include a more simplified points system, will set a clear, fair and transparent eligibility threshold and offer several ways for people to demonstrate their skill level.
Moreover, the changes will also see a faster route to residence for very highly skilled migrants, such as university lecturers or scientists who hold a PhD, while other professionals such as teachers and registered tradespeople will have a clear route if they work for a period in New Zealand.
The new system will improve processing times and there will be no cap on the number of people who can gain residence each year, if they meet the skills threshold”, he said.
Parent category
He said the New Zealand Government is also reducing barriers to access the Parent Category Visa.
This includes increasing the number of parent resident visas granted to 2,500 a year and up to 2,000 visas a year will be granted to people with existing expressions of interest.
“We recognise the importance for migrants resettling here to have a pathway for their parents to join them,” he saiud
“Re-starting the parent category is the right thing to do, and will see New Zealand become an even more attractive destination for high skilled migrants looking to resettle long term, knowing they can do so with their families.
Alongside reopening and modernising the category it means more family reunifications."
He said the category will see a lower income threshold for sponsors, a new ballot, and the resumption of selecting expressions of interest from the existing queue starting 14 November, among other changes.
“The number of Parent Resident Visas granted each year will also increase to 2,500 a year.
“Resuming selections from existing Expressions of Interest queue is a priority, and I know how important this is to many migrant families. I’m pleased to say selections will resume on 14 November, and up to 2,000 visas a year will be granted to people with existing expressions of interest."
He said as part of modernising the Parent Category, from today, any new expressions of interest submitted will go into a ballot rather than add to the existing queue.
“Moving to a ballot means people will avoid a lengthy queue and they will be eligible for selection for two years after submitting their expression of interest.
An additional 500 visas a year will be granted from the ballot, starting with the first selection in August 2023."