Is the Skilled Migrant category about to reopen?

The Minister of Immigration wrote to our CEO at the end of June confirming he has made decisions about resuming the selection of Expressions of Interests (EOI) and selection criteria. The Minister said, “I will be making an announcement on these matters soon”.

We anticipate there will be changes to the current passmark (160) and how points are allocated. Until the Minister has made his announcement it is purely speculation as to what the final changes will look like. Don’t expect any easing of the current criteria.

There now over 10,000 EOIs in the Skilled Migrant pool.

In other news our prediction that pay rates would increase for Skilled Migrant and Residence from Work residence applications to get priority processing have been confirmed. From 19/07/2021 the new pay rate is a minimum of $54 per hour or an annual salary of $112,320. Currently, priority applications land on an Immigration Officers desk for processing in around 2 to 4 weeks from the date they are lodged.

There are over 11,000 residence applications in the non-priority processing queue. Applications lodged in October 2019 are currently being assessed.

Pressure is building to reopen EOI selections sooner rather than later. We are seeing highly skilled people starting to leave New Zealand because they cannot secure a pathway to residence. Becoming a resident is an important part of feeling like you are part of the local community.