SMC Visa Requirements
To qualify for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
- Be aged 55 years or under;
- Be employed in New Zealand or have a Job Offer from an accredited employer;
- Employment or Job Offer should be at least at the median wage or 1.5 times the median wage;
- Score at least six (6) points from:
- Any one skill category (NZ Qualification or High Income in NZ or NZ Occupational Registration); or
- Combination of any one skill category (as above) AND skilled work experience in New Zealand
- Meet English language, Health and Character requirements;
- Be Invited To Apply for Resident visa.
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Application Process
SMC Resident Visa application is a two-step process:
- Submit your online Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for Skilled Migrant Visa (SMC Visa);
- EOI is checked and if it meets the points and other criteria, Invitation To Apply (ITA) for Resident Visa is issued;
- Submit your Resident Visa application within 4 months from receipt of the ITA;
- Resident Visa application is processed and decision made on your application (if your current temporary work visa expires during processing, an SMC Interim Visa will be issued to keep you status lawfull in NZ).
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Estimated Processing Time
The average processing time for an SMC Resident Visa application is approximately 9 weeks, with 80% of applications finalized within 4 months from submission.
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SMC Visa Application Fees
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Free (No charge to submit an EOI).
- Resident Visa Application Fee:$6,450 NZD payable upon submitting your visa application following an ITA.
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