livewire

This from today's Herald:

"The points scheme for potential migrants is being changed.

From now on people who score 140 points or more in the skilled migrant category will automatically be allowed in.

Applicants with between 100 and 140 points who have a guaranteed job will also find it easier to gain residency.

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said an additional three thousand places will be made available for the next two financial years.

He says the changes announced today will help employers needed to recruit skilled workers from overseas for their business growth. "

KayC

We've only just started looking into it, but I thought you only needed 100 points?

Billie

It's just gone up- after today's pool you will need 140 for automatic selection. Between 100-140 points with a job or job offer means you will be ranked and possibly selected. The next pool is on 1 Feb 06 and new rules kick in then.
Anyone who has not yet received their invitation to reply (ITA) from NZIS by today could be affected. Best to go on to their website- it's all in there. They've made the time you are in the EOI pool longer up to 6m.
:scared: There's a lot of changes- not all good if you don't have a job offer.

livewire

It has NOT gone up - the selection point is still at 100, it's just that people with 140 will automatically be invited to apply.

People with 100 -140 points and a NZ job/job offer will be ranked and selected to fill the necessary quota.

Read the article at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...c05Changes.htm and you'll see what I mean.

Billie

Have read it- still worse than before for people without job offers but have the 100 points- like me!! Hopefully I am too far along line with process to be affected but there are a lot of grey areas and am worried until I get my visa stamped in my passport!!

livewire

I think all they are doing is prioritising so that those with with higher points and job offers get preferential treatment, but surely this could only really become a problem if the number of applicants ever exceeds the quota?

Stephen Jones

Well I'm screwed.....was just on the point of doing the EOI when the rules changed. Unfortunately, even with 10years + experience I only score 105 points for my IT skills.

Without a job offer from NZ we cannot go. What's the chances of that happening?

Is there any way to get off these damned forsaken British Isles?

Steve

welsh213

Stephen,

I hope this really is not the case, for both our sakes.
I am hoping to move from S.Wales to Wellington, was contacted by Immigration today asking for more information, so fingers crossed I will get an invitation to apply sometime soon, but if it changes then i dont think i will be able to go as I currently have 115 points with no job offer.

Good luck mate

John

Billie

They'll surely only know when the quota is being exceeded at the end of each year!!

Billie

The time allowed in the EOI pool has gone up from 3 to 6 months so it is still worth going ahead with. Just wait a bit longer to stick your EOI in - to see if you can get a job offer in the meantime and raise your points.There are a lot of grey areas so I would still keep trying. Good lluck.

brandn

Steve,
Your not screwed. You don't have to have a job offer. You will be ranked higher with a job offer but you can still apply if you have more that 100 points. 105 points is enough.

Im in a similar boat. We are using the First Contact agency to help us and they confirmed the above.
Good luck.
Neil.

Billie

Are you sure this is up to date advice taking into account changes on 21 December?