In early 2004, the entire Skilled Migration scheme for New Zealand was overhauled. The new Skilled Migrant Category (formerly called General Skills) has been designed to attract highly-skilled migrants to New Zealand, particularly in those industries and regions of New Zealand experiencing growth and skills shortages.

The Scheme has been designed to comprise two stages: the lodging of an Expression of Interest and the Invitation to Apply for Residency.
These stages and the process involved are explained in more detail in the sections below.

Please note that it is unlikely you will qualify for residency unless you have a job offer in a particular industry or in a low-growth region in New Zealand. Presently, you need to score a minimum of 100 points to be able to lodge an Expression of Interest. Applications in the Expression of Interest pool that are being invited to make a Residency Application are, on average, scoring at least 165 points.

To be considered under this category you need to be of good health, good character, have a reasonable standard of English and be no older than 55 years of age. You will also need to meet the threshold of 100 points to register an Expression of Interest.

Expressions of Interest submitted over a number of weeks will be pooled and ranked from highest to lowest points. It is not a case of first in, first served. NZIS will prioritize Expressions of Interest in terms of points claimed and, following some checking. Those with the top points will be invited to lodge an application for residence visa. If your Expression of Interest is not selected from the pool the first time it will remain in the pool for three months. If it is still unsuccessful, NZIS will tell you that your Expression of Interest has been withdrawn from the pool. You can lodge another Expression of Interest if you wish to.

The points system is designed to allow Expressions of Interest to be ranked so that the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) can extend invitations to apply for residence to those who have the most to offer New Zealand. Points are available for skilled employment in New Zealand, work experience, qualifications and age. Bonus points are available for employment, work experience and qualifications in identified areas of growth or absolute skill shortage or within identified clusters. Bonus points are also available for employment outside Auckland and for New Zealand qualifications gained in New Zealand over at least two years. Your partner's employment and qualification can also gain bonus points.

NZIS will assess your application for residence against Government residence policy and look at your ability to settle successfully and make a real contribution to New Zealand's social and economic development. NZIS will also undertake further verification of some of the information you have provided in your Expression of Interest. Depending on how you are able to demonstrate your ability to settle in New Zealand successfully, your application can be approved with a residence visa or permit or a visa or permit which enables you to move from work to residence. It is then over to you to confirm your decision to come to New Zealand.