ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): New Zealand has introduced an attractive immigration pathway for skilled foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, employment and education opportunities through its Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
The visa allows eligible applicants to live and work in New Zealand and access educational opportunities. Applicants can also include their spouse and dependent children aged 24 or younger in their applications.
The visa application fee starts at NZD 6,450. Successful applicants may become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after living in New Zealand continuously for two years, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
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Be 55 years of age or younger at the time of application.
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Meet health and character requirements.
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Have the ability to speak and understand English.
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Demonstrate a genuine relationship with any family members included in the application.
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Hold a full-time job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
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Obtain at least six skilled resident points based on qualifications, occupational registration, income and/or eligible work experience.
Job Requirements
The employment offer must meet the following conditions:
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At least 30 working hours per week.
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A permanent position, a fixed-term contract of at least 12 months, or a qualifying continuous contract of at least six months.
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Employment with an accredited employer in New Zealand.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates with a qualifying job offer and six required points can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) without paying an application fee.
After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through email, applicants have four months to submit their complete visa applications.
The required documents include:
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A valid passport and photograph.
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Medical examination results.
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Police clearance certificate.
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Evidence of English-language proficiency.
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Educational qualifications and work experience documents supporting the six points.
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Proof of an eligible job offer.
Applicants must ensure that police clearance certificates are no older than six months and medical reports are no older than three months. Documents issued in languages other than English must include certified translations.
Applications must be submitted online along with the applicable visa fee within the four-month deadline. Immigration authorities may subsequently request additional documents or an interview before making a decision.
