Media Releases
Electronic Immigration Service Launched
26 January 2004
Skilled migrants looking to come to New Zealand will now be able to register their interest online through a new system launched by the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS).
The Skilled Migrant Category, which opened last year, requires prospective migrants to lodge expressions of interest which are then ranked according to total point scores.
The Skilled Migrant Category policy looks to proactively target and attract migrants who can contribute to the country’s economic development needs.
Arron Baker, NZIS Market Manager of Electronic Services says the online Expression of Interest system is just one of the initiatives the NZIS has launched to support the assessment and processing of skilled migrant submissions.
“We expect the online Expression of Interest service will be used more than the paper applications. This is because the online version provides prospective migrants with an instant electronic indication on their chances of being selected to apply for residence, can be a lot quicker to complete, and provides applicants with control over when they are submitted into the selection Pool. In addition, every section has help pages, as well as links to policy, to assist the applicant,” says Mr Baker.
“The online Expression of Interest also means that, wherever the prospective migrant is located, they can receive assistance, online, without having to visit or phone one of our branches.
“The customer has control over when they want to be submitted into
the selection Pool – it’s immediate,” says Mr Baker.
“The Skilled Migrant Category policy replaced the General Skills Category
policy in December last year, allowing New Zealand to select migrants who
will best meet New Zealand’s needs.
“We want to select migrants who can contribute positively to our communities and economy. The online Expression of Interest is a very effective and user- friendly forum to enable prospective migrants to assess their eligibility for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category,” says Mr Baker.
“This initiative is about providing prospective migrants with a choice. They can either complete an Expression of Interest online, or fill in the paper form which can be downloaded from our website.
“Before completing the Expression of Interest, prospective migrants are encouraged to score themselves on the online ‘Points Indicator’ facility. This self service facility indicates how many points the prospective migrant may be eligible to claim as a result of meeting certain criteria,” says Mr Baker.
“Once prospective migrants have submitted, successfully, the Expression of Interest online, they will receive instant acknowledgement it has been received and they have been entered into the Pool. They can then check the status of their online Expression of Interest on their personal Expression of Interest NZIS homepage. They won’t need to contact the NZIS to track its progress or experience the anxiety of waiting for a letter to arrive in the post,” says Mr Baker.
Prospective migrants must submit an Expression of Interest to the NZIS before they can be considered for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category. Customers need a minimum of 100 points, and meet other prerequisites for an Expression of Interest to be successfully submitted.
“Once an Expression of Interest has been submitted successfully it is entered into a Pool and prioritised in terms of points claimed. Those with the top points will be selected from the Pool and, following checking, may be sent an official Invitation to Apply for residence,” says Mr Baker.
If a prospective migrant’s Expression of Interest is not selected from the Pool the first time, it remains in the Pool for three months. If it is still unsuccessful, the person concerned will be informed their Expression of Interest has been withdrawn from the Pool.
Editor's Notes
The online Expression of Interest and an Online Expression Question and Answer document are available on the New Zealand Immigration Service website at immigration.govt.nz.
A photograph (CDRom) of Arron Baker is available on request.
Changes to skilled immigration policy were announced by the Government in July 2003 following a comprehensive review of the General Skills component of the Skilled/Business stream of the New Zealand Immigration Programme.
The new Skilled Migrant Category replaces the General Skills Category and enhances the points-based system with a strengthened focus on skills and settlement attributes that meet New Zealand’s needs.
