Hon David Cunliffe, Minister of Immigration Press Release

6/06/2007

Skilled Migrant Category fine-tuned to deliver more

The flagship Skilled Migrant Category has been fine-tuned to deliver more for the country while still ensuring quality, says Immigration Minister David Cunliffe.

"The SMC is generally working well, and is delivering high quality skilled migrants," Mr Cunliffe said. "We need to keep testing our policies to find ways of improving them and better target the people New Zealand needs. The SMC needs to be well positioned to attract quality skilled migrants in an increasingly competitive market.

"International competition for skills is intensifying, with many countries, including Australia, investing heavily to pursue the same migrants. Hence we have done some fine-tuning."

The changes include:

An increase to the bonus points awarded for skilled employment, a recognised qualification and work experience in an identified future growth area
An introduction of bonus points for a post-graduate New Zealand qualification (Masters or Doctorate)
A reduction in the number of years of New Zealand work experience required to claim the applicable bonus points
An increase to the bonus points awarded for a principal applicant’s partner’s recognised qualification and skilled employment in New Zealand
A restructure of how bonus points are awarded for study in New Zealand
Removing the award of bonus points for skilled employment, a recognised qualification and work experience in an identified cluster.
A review of the list of recognised qualifications
A more transparent and appropriate definition of skilled employment.

"The revised points more closely target the people who New Zealand needs and recognises, for example, that the partner of a principal applicant can be of significant value to New Zealand in his or her own right," Mr Cunliffe said

The Skilled Migrant Category is New Zealand’s premier immigration product, providing residence opportunities for skilled people. Most skilled migrants are granted residence through the SMC, which comprises 60 per cent of the New Zealand Residence Programme.

Active Investor Migrant policy good news

New Zealand will be better placed to attract serious investor migrants under the Labour-led government's new Active Investor Migrant policy, says Immigration Minister David Cunliffe.

"The new policy will increase both the number of investor migrants and their contribution to New Zealand," Mr Cunliffe said.

"Active investment is about creating a closer link between investor migrants and New Zealand businesses. More active investment will ensure that investor migrants are more likely to utilise their human and financial capital to support New Zealand’s economic development.

"It will mean more investors who are actually creating goods and services in New Zealand and employing Kiwis."

The new policy is based on the three principles of seeking more active high-quality investment directly or indirectly in New Zealand firms; segmented risk management; and more realistic investment levels that will increase investor migrants’ financial contribution to New Zealand.

It aims to increase productivity by boosting output more than demand. It excludes residential property development.

The policy has three sub-categories:

Global Investors – the top priority category for high value investors investing $20 million (including $5 million in active investment), which requires minimal policy conditions and facilitated, fast-track processing.
Professional Investors – a second priority category for migrants investing $10 million (including $2 million actively) with moderate policy condiions and facilitated, fast-track processing.
General Active Investors – a category for those investing a minimum of $2.5 million.

"All three categories will be closely monitored to ensure transparency, probity and effectiveness.

"Investor migrants can make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economic transformation through their business experience, international connections and financial capital," Mr Cunliffe said.

"It is important that New Zealand does not miss the opportunity to support our businesses through investor migrants. An investor policy that attracts and facilitates these high-value migrants while managing risks is essential."