Skilled Migrant Category Bonus Points Increase for Regional Employment Outside Auckland

Policy effect

Increased bonus points under the Skilled Migrant Category for skilled employment or job offers outside Auckland from 10 to 30 points, while introducing Section 49(1) visa conditions restricting successful applicants from moving to a job in Auckland for at least 12 months if employed in that position for less than three months. Phase scope: Applies to Expressions of Interest updated or selected and applications tendered on or after 1 November 2015

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Increased bonus points under the Skilled Migrant Category for skilled employment or job offers outside Auckland from 10 to 30 points, while introducing Section 49(1) visa conditions restricting successful applicants from moving to a job in Auckland for at least 12 months if employed in that position for less than three months.; Phase scope: Applies to Expressions of Interest updated or selected and applications tendered on or after 1 November 2015

Official source excerpt

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

2015-Oct 30: SMC points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland | Immigration New Zealand Skip to main content Skip to footer 2015-Oct 30: SMC points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland Visa Pak 234 - Information about SMC bonus points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland effective 1 November 2015 and relevant conditions applicable. 30 October 2016 SMC points increase for skilled employment outside Auckland As outlined in Amendment Circular 2015-08, effective 1 November 2015, bonus points awarded under the Skilled Migrant Category for skilled employment outside the Auckland region will increase from 10 to 30 points. To ensure applicants remain outside of Auckland, Section 49(1) conditions will apply to applicants who are awarded points for a job offer or current employment outside of Auckland and have been in that job for less than three months. These applicants will be restricted from changing to a job in Auckland for at least 12 months. They would, however, be able to change jobs and regions outside of Auckland. These new conditions will become operational through amendments to instructions SM4.30, effective on 1 November 2015. Please note: Existing …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2015

• 2015-03-27Standardized Definitions for Essential Skills Labour Market Test and Skill Level 5 Rule
• 2015-05-08Immigration Amendment Act (No. 2)
• 2015-08-06A designated person must not enter New Zealand or transit through New Zealand.
• 2015-11-01Entrepreneur Work Visa regional bonus increased from 20 to 40 points
• 2015-11-03Character exception for qualifying Filipino dairy workers with earlier false visa evidence
• 2015-12-07Joint declaration permitted as partnership evidence for a partner included in a visitor visa application
• 2015-12-07Pathway Student Visa pilot launched for consecutive study programmes
• 2015-12-07Recognised Seasonal Employers required to provide access to lawful remittance services
• 2015-12-07Refugee Family Support Category sponsorship extended to qualifying Afghan interpreters and accompanying family
• 2015-12-07Student visa provision for multiple short-term English language programmes
• 2015-12-20Korea Working Holiday Scheme annual places increased from 1,800 to 3,000
• 2015-12-20Korea Working Holiday Scheme three-month limit with one employer removed
• 2015-12-20Republic of Korea added to the Primary Sector Trainees route with 50 places
• 2015-12-20Special work route introduced for qualifying Korean citizens in specified occupations