SM3.5 Skilled Migrant Category requirements (28/08/2017)

SM3.5.1 Health, character and English language requirements

1. Applicants under the Skilled Migrant Category must meet:
   1. health and character requirements (see A4 and A5); and
   2. a minimum standard of English or, where instructions allow, pre-purchase English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tuition.
2. If an ESOL charge is required (see SM4.20), but is not paid within the time specified by INZ, the resident visa application will be declined.

SM3.5.5 Employability and capacity building requirements (SM5 to SM9)

1. Employability and capacity building factors comprise the requirements contained in SM5, SM6, SM7, SM8 and SM9 and are assessed using a points system.
2. An application for a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category will be declined if a principal applicant:
   1. does not qualify for the points for employability and capacity building factors on the basis of which their Expression of Interest was selected from the Pool (unless SM3.15 (b) applies); or
   2. does not qualify for points for either work experience (see SM7) or qualifications (see SM8); and either
   3. does not qualify for points for skilled employment in New Zealand (either before or during the deferral period as set out at SM3.20 below); or
   4. has not undertaken full time study for at least two years in New Zealand that has resulted in the award of a Doctorate or Master’s degree.

SM3.5.10 Applications made in response to an invitation to apply resulting from selection from the Skilled Migrant Category Pool prior to 28 August 2017

1. Applications made on and after 28 August 2017 in response to an Invitation to Apply resulting from selection of an Expression of Interest from the Skilled Migrant Category Pool prior to 28 August 2017, will be assessed in terms of the Skilled Migrant Category criteria and associated Appendices 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 of the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Operational Manual in effect on 27 August 2017.
2. Despite (a) above applicants must meet the requirements for health (see A4) and character (see A5) in effect on the date their application is made.

Effective 28/08/2017