If you have the qualifications, training, along with the required amount of work experience, your dream of becoming a New Zealand resident may come true! Yes, as a skilled worker you can reap the advantage of New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category to enter the country and live and work there, while having the access to most of the citizenship advantages.

But, before you decide to become a New Zealand resident, it is important to be ensured of certain things. Why don’t you look at them below?

• The Skilled Migrant Category is the most viable resident visa option for you if you want the rights of a New Zealander. A resident is entitled to have the right in relation to traveling in and out of New Zealand; access to public services for the principal applicant, as well as dependents; advantage of working for any New Zealand employer; and last thing to vote in the country and have New Zealand passport, both basically come after obtaining citizenship.
• You decision to immigrate to New Zealand under the Skilled Migrant Category to be a resident will be fruitful if you want to make the country your new home.
• This is of utmost important! The Skilled Migrant Category is based on a points system. Points are awarded for a number of factors. If you have enough points (points levels are worked out periodically by INZ), you are eligible for the visa category to be in New Zealand.

How does the Skilled Migrant Category Points-based System work?

The points-based system actually assesses your ability to enter and settle in New Zealand. Points are awarded on the following factors:

• Age: The first point to be mentioned here is that the principal applicant must be aged under 56. Further, points, ranging from 5-30, are awarded to applicants, based on their age. The basic idea is- the younger the applicant is, the more points he/she is likely to receive.
• Work experience: The same idea applies here as well- more the number of years of work experience, the more points being awarded to applicants!
• Employability: A job offer from a New Zealand employer or if an applicant is already working for a New Zealand employer, works like cherry on the cake!

• An employment offer strengthens the applicant’s chance to become a skilled immigrant to the country. Also, bonus points are awarded for having the job offer or the applicant’s skill been identified as one of the areas that are running short of skills in New Zealand.

• Qualification: Points can be claimed for the highest qualification an applicant has gained in his career. Usually, points, ranging from 50 to 55, are awarded for recognized qualifications. Moreover, bonus points are offered for recognized qualifications gained in New Zealand.

If you are interested in applying for a residence permit to New Zealand, mail following information ASAP at ajay@abhinav.com for a free of charge assessment by Ajay Sharma, principal consultant, ABHINAV.

• Your updated resume if skilled professional, or if businessmen, then brief on business profile along with information on your current personal net worth.
• If married, provide the resume for your spouse as well.
• If applicable, please provide information on children and their age.
• Information on any blood relatives residing in New Zealand. This is not a compulsory requirement to qualify for immigration to New Zealand, but serves as additional positive assessment and suitability factor.