How will changes announced by Immigration New Zealand affect the “Study Pathway to Residence?”

The new announcement (on 11th October 2016) will make it a little more difficult for students to get Residence, but should not make a huge difference.

1. The ‘points” requirement for automatic selection has gone from 140 to 160 points (temporarily).

The basic requirement is still to get an offer of a Skilled Job, and for most students that will still be

20 to 30 (age) + 50 (job offer) + 50 (L7 or L8 qualification) = 120 to 130 points

To get the additional points required, students may need some of the following

• Study in ‘bonus’ subjects where we have a real shortage (possibly 10 + 10 + 10)
• Study at Post Graduate level (1 or 2 years)  (10 + 10 or possibly 15)
• Work for most of the 3 years permitted after study  (possibly 10 + 10 +10)
• Get a job out of Auckland (+30)
• Have a partner (10 or 20 + possibly 20)
• Have close family already resident in NZ (+10)

So, a very good reason to get advice from the experts, and use our Licensed Immigration Adviser services.

2. The English requirement is still IELTS 6.5, but is no longer met by

• Studying one year at level 7 in NZ  OR
• Work in a skilled job for 1 year

So, unless gaining a qualification at L8 (minimum) you will need an IELTS test result less than 2 years old at the time of applying for Residence.

Read about more details on Immigration New Zealand website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/new-zealand-residence-programme-changes/nzrp-smc