SMC recognised-qualification points redistributed by qualification level

Policy effect

From July 25, 2011, SMC points for recognised qualifications at NZQF levels 9 and 10 increased from 55 to 60, while levels 5 and 6 decreased from 50 to 40; levels 7 and 8 remained at 50. Eligible level 4 qualifications and level 3 qualifications recognised as an exception decreased from 50 to 40. Level 4 qualifications still had to qualify through the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment or through NZQA assessment, relevance to a listed skilled occupation and the exclusion rules; listed level 3 qualifications still had to meet the exception-list requirements. Points were not cumulative: they applied to one qualification or to qualifications assessed in combination, with a maximum of the applicable 40, 50 or 60 points. The July rule retained non-recognition of qualifications gained while unlawfully resident or without required study authority and added ESOL qualifications to the exclusion list. A qualifying New Zealand qualification at levels 3–6 retained 50 points if it would have qualified under the SMC rules in force on July 24, 2011 and was completed before July 25, or the applicant had commenced the course leading to the qualification on July 24, as worded in the archived instruction. This component concerns recognised-qualification points, not separate New Zealand-study bonus points.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Eligible level 4 qualifications and level 3 qualifications recognised as an exception decreased from 50 to 40.; Level 4 qualifications still had to qualify through the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment or through NZQA assessment, relevance to a listed skilled occupation and the exclusion rules; listed level 3 qualifications still had to meet the exception-list requirements.; Points were not cumulative: they applied to one qualification or to qualifications assessed in combination, with a maximum of the applicable 40, 50 or 60 points.; The July rule retained non-recognition of qualifications gained while unlawfully resident or without required study authority and added ESOL qualifications to the exclusion list.; A qualifying New Zealand qualification at levels 3–6 retained 50 points if it would have qualified under the SMC rules in force on July 24, 2011 and was completed…

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

SM14.10 Points for recognised qualifications (25/07/2011) SM14.10 Points for recognised qualifications (25/07/2011) Qualifications are recognised and qualify for points as follows: Qualifications assessed as occupying levels nine and ten on the NZQF qualify for 60 points. Qualifications assessed as occupying levels seven, or eight on the NZQF qualify for 50 points. Qualifications assessed as occupying level five or six on the NZQF qualify for 40 points. Qualifications assessed as occupying level four on the NZQF qualify for 40 points by inclusion in the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (see Appendix 3 ) if they meet the requirements specified in that list. Qualifications assessed as occupying level four on the NZQF qualify for 40 points if they are assessed by the NZQA and are: relevant to an occupation listed at part B or part C of the List of Skilled Occupations (see Appendix 6 ); and not included on the list of Excluded Qualifications (see SM14.10.5). Qualifications assessed as occupying level three on the NZQF that are included on the List of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception (see SM14.10.10), and meet the requirements specified in that list, qualify for 40 points. Points are provided for: one qualification only; or two or more qualifications assessed in combination. Note: Points for recognised qualifications are not cumulative. A principal applicant may qualify for only 40, 50, or 60 points. For example, if an applicant has two level nine qualifications on the NZQF they may still only qualify for 60 points. Note: A qualification will not be recognised if gained while in a country where the principal applicant was either an unlawful resident or required authority to study, but did not have such authority. SM14.10.1 New Zealand qualifications Despite SM14.10, SM14.10.5 and SM14.10.10, a New Zealand qualification at levels three, four, five or six on the NZQF qualifies for 50 points if: it would have met the requirements for the award of points under the Skilled Migrant Category that was in effect on 24 July 2011; and the principal applicant completed the qualification before 25 July 2011 or the principal applicant had commenced a course of study, resulting in the qualification for which they are claiming points, on 24 July 2011. SM14.10.5 Excluded qualifications The qualifications listed below are excluded from recognition under the Skilled Migrant Category and do not qualify for points. This list may be amended by the deletion or addition of qualifications from time to time, as approved by the Minister of Immigration. Level four qualifications that are not a New Zealand National Certificate (or compared to a New Zealand National Certificate by the NZQA). Any English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualification. Note: Immigration officers must ensure that the qualification is a National Certificate or comparable to a National Certificate and may refer to the following for confirmation: ~ the www.nzqf.govt.nz … ~ written confirmation provided by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to the Tertiary Education Provider confirming the qualification is a National Certificate, ~ a NZQA International Qualification Assessment (IQA); or ~ a NZQA Qualifications Assessment Report (QAR). SM14.10.10 Qualifications recognised as an exception The qualifications included in the list held at Appendix 8 are recognised for the award of points as an exception under the Skilled Migrant Category. Qualifications in this list, awarded by an institution included in this list, do not require assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Effective 25/07/2011 PREVIOUS IMMIGRATION INSTRUCTIONS SM14.10 Points for recognised qualifications (04/04/2011) SM14.10 Points for recognised qualifications (29/11/2010) SM14.10 Points for recognised qualifications (25/07/2011) SM14.10 Points for recognised qualifications (25/07/2011) Qualifications are recognised and qualify for points as follows: Qualifications assessed as occupying levels nine and ten on the NZQF qualify for 60 points. Qualifications assessed as occupying levels seven, or eight on the NZQF qualify for 50 points. Qualifications assessed as occupying level five or six on the NZQF qualify for 40 points. Qualifications assessed as occupying level four on the NZQF qualify for 40 points by inclusion in the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (see Appendix 3 ) if they meet the requirements specified in that list. Qualifications assessed as occupying level four on the NZQF qualify for 40 points if they are assessed by the NZQA and are: relevant to an occupation listed at part B or part C of the List of Skilled Occupations (see Appendix 6 ); and not included on the list of Excluded Qualifications (see SM14.10.5). Qualifications assessed as occupying level three on the NZQF that are included on the List of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception (see SM14.10.10), and meet the requirements specified in that list, qualify for 40 points. Points are provided for: one qualification only; or two or more qualifications assessed in combination. Note: Points for recognised qualifications are not cumulative. A principal applicant may qualify for only 40, 50, or 60 points. For example, if an applicant has two level nine qualifications on the NZQF they may still only qualify for 60 points. Note: A qualification will not be recognised if gained while in a country where the principal applicant was either an unlawful resident or required authority to study, but did not have such authority. SM14.10.1 New Zealand qualifications Despite SM14.10, SM14.10.5 and SM14.10.10, a New Zealand qualification at levels three, four, five or six on the NZQF qualifies for 50 points if: it would have met the requirements for the award of points under the Skilled Migrant Category that was in effect on 24 July 2011; and the principal applicant completed the qualification before 25 July 2011 or the principal applicant had commenced a c …

Review method

Source-based draft with independent Gemini 3.8 Flash verification

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2011

• 2011-04-04Visiting academics: specified short academic activities excluded from work requirements
• 2011-04-18SSE work visa applicants required to demonstrate genuine intention to work for an approved employer
• 2011-07-25Expansion of acceptable investments for migrant investor categories to include registered bank bonds/equities, residential property developments, and finance-company bonds
• 2011-07-25Investor 1 annual physical-presence requirement reduced from 73 to 44 days
• 2011-07-25SMC job-search visa barred for onshore recent Study-to-Work visa holders
• 2011-07-25SMC New Zealand qualification bonus points tied to degree level and duration