Summary of questions

Summary of questions for the consultation on the future of the skilled migrant category

Rationale for making changes to the Skilled Migrant Category

1. Do you agree with what the proposed changes to the Skilled Migrant Category are seeking to achieve?  Why/why not?

  • To align with the Immigration Rebalance
  • To give more certainty to migrants and employers
  • To improve processing times
  • To reduce immigration and labour market risks.

2. Are there any other issues or opportunities that we should consider?

Proposed changes to the Skilled Migrant Category

Simplified points system

3. Do you agree with the proposed skill threshold, i.e. equivalent to six years formal training and/or skilled experience? Why/why not?

4. Do you agree that a points system using a range of skills proxies is a clear, fair way to assess Skilled Migrant Category applications?  Why/why not?

5. Do you have any other comments on this section?

Managing the flow of migrants into New Zealand

6. Do you agree with the proposed approach to managing migrant numbers? Why/why not?

7. Do you have any other comments on this section?

People who are not eligible for residence

8. Do you agree with the proposal to apply the stand-down period, to reduce the risks associated with migrants becoming well-settled without a realistic pathway to residence? Why/why not?

9. Do you have any other comments on this section?

Special conditions for people in specified occupations

10. Do you agree with having a higher threshold for people in specified higher-risk occupations? Why/why not?

11. Do you have any other comments on this section?

Simplified points system in depth

12. Is the simplified points system easy to understand?

13. Do you think that the number of points allocated for professional registrations is fair?

14. Do you think that the number of points allocated for qualifications is fair?

15. Do you think that the number of points allocated for income is fair?

16. Do you think that the points are balanced between the three different skill categories?

17. How could we improve the simplified points system?

18. Do you have any other comments on this section?

Other comments

19. Do you have any other comments on the proposed changes to the Skilled Migrant Category that are not covered in your responses to the questions above?