Immigration changes bring important changes and will open doors for some applicants – South Island Contribution Visa and Skilled Migrant route to residency – Rupert Ward – Immigration Barrister
Immigration changes bring important changes and will open doors for some applicants – South Island Contribution Visa and Skilled Migrant route to residency
Very recently Immigration have announced new changes to Skilled Migrant residency rules.
They bring exciting new opportunities for residency for those people who have been committed to the South Island – such as those helping with the Christchurch rebuild. You can read more about this new visa here. The changes will also change the points available to a number of Skilled Migrants.
For many the changes, which will come into force in August 2017, will lead to a higher score when submitting their expression of interest for residency.
Those who will be greatly advantaged by the change are likely to be workers who are on a high salary (earning $73,299 or more per year) but whose job definition presently means that they are considered by Immigration to be to be “unskilled” workers. Following changes they will be able to claim points for their employment. Those who may be disadvantaged by the scheme include workers who are paid less than NZ$48,859 per year despite being in a “skilled” job.
The changes also include a greater number of points for certain qualifications, skilled work experience and the recognition of skill levels in the 30-39 age group. Bonus points will be awarded for remuneration at or above NZ$97,718.00 per year.
Points for qualifications in an area of absolute skills shortage, skilled employment, work experience and qualifications in Identified Future Growth Areas and close family support in New Zealand will be removed. For some people this may remove vital points so acting now is important.
If you are considering obtaining residency I would encourage an assessment of your position now – that way you can decide whether your prospects of success are greater by lodging your application before or after the August changes. If an application is submitted before 14 August it will continue to be assessed under the existing rules. If you lodge an application after this date you will be subject to the new rules which may not be to your advantage.
More detailed information will be available about the changes in June 2017.