Home > Our Publications > New Zealand Outlook > 2004 > April

By Lawrence Johnston

ALMOST a third of potential migrants to New Zealand who expressed an interest in the first batch of the new skilled migrant category, overstated their credentials. When scaled down to their true points level, they dropped below the selection point, and were not issued an invitation to apply - the new category's second application stage - in that round.
And though they will be available for future selections based on their revised points scores, their errors highlight the importance of providing the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) with accurate information.
But those who erred do have the consolation of knowing that that first pool.- the one when the pass mark was 195 - was treated as a trial run.
That means that the maximum three months that their expression of interest (EOI) remains in the pool, started a fortnight later.
NZIS London branch Manager, Mr Kevin Cameron, said these erroneous EOIs were being filled in incorrectly rather than fraudulently: "These people will not be issued with an application to apply at this point, but we're trying to unravel what the problem was, and if it was just a simple misunderstanding, they can get the benefit of the draws that have happened since they lodged their EOIs," he said.
And with 82 per cent of the people who submit an EOI, now taking advantage of the big financial and time savings they can enjoy by doing so on-line, he felt the number of inaccuracies would decline.
A further three per cent submitted bogus information, so will neither be invited to apply nor be eligible for future pool selections.
The future level of the passmark, which settled at 185 for a month, after dipping from its launch level of 195, is hard to predict. He thinks it may drop still further, but points out that if it does, the number of applications that will have to be approved will jump "quite considerably".
On the other hand, by early summer, most of the applications will be coming from the pool because by then all of the applications from the previous interim skilled migrant category will have run out.
In the first two-and-a-half months of the new category, the number of EOIs in the pool grew to over 2,700. Over time it is thought that will increase.
"I think there are still a number of punters out there waiting to see how the system develops," he said.
Mr Bruce Burrows, immigration regional manager for Europe, Africa and the Americas, said that unlike the former general skills category's relatively stable situation, the passmark could potentially now change any fortnight.
"Obviously, people who are on the system will be contacted if their application meets the passmark, but those contemplating applying, should keep an eye on our website www.immigration.govt.nz," he said.