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PASSMARK CAN MOVE

By Lawrence Johnston

THE New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) website indicates that the NZIS will be looking to review the skilled migrant passmark, which has stood at 100 for the past seven months.

The passmark - the point at which skilled people who have expressed an interest in emigrating to New Zealand, are invited to apply - has stood at 100 ever since it first hit that mark last September.

That is despite the fact that it is assessed every fortnight according to the quality of people applying to migrate.

Bruce Burrows, NZIS manager for Europe, Africa and the Americas said: "It's a fact that the passmark can move, and people should not assume that it will always stay at the level that it is at today. My advice is for people to keep their antennae tuned to the website so they have the latest information."

Over the past three months in the NZIS London branch, generally between about 20 and 25 per cent of people invited to apply under the skilled migrant category, had job offers.

This is in marked contrast to the skilled migrant category's early stages, when the passmark was gradually sliding from its 195 pinnacle in February 2004 to around 150 and those sort of points could only be achieved via a job offer.

Besides UK applicants, the London branch also handles applications from Europe, Africa and the Americas. That being the case, the current proportion of UK applicants who have a job offer is likely to be more than 20 to 25 per cent.

Meanwhile, the NZIS London Branch agents' newsletter carries a reminder of how skilled migrant applications should be submitted.

It helps the NZIS to assess an applicant's file more quickly if the necessary accompanying documents are submitted in the following order:

* Covering letter.

* Application form.

* Birth certificates.

* Passports.

* Relationship evidence if partner included.

* Custody/financial dependence of children - if relevant.

* Evidence of job offer/ current employment.

* Evidence of New Zealand registration if required to take up job offer.

* Evidence of work experience.

* Evidence of qualifications.

* Partners job offer/Qualifications.

* Evidence of their New Zealand registration if required to take up job offer.

* Medical certificates.

* Police certificates.

If originals rather than certified copies are being provided, a photocopy should be included behind each item. This does not include the application form, medical certificates or police certificates.

The application form should be read carefully and understood and it is important to remember to make any amendments that are necessary. Also, the application should not be submitted in a plastic sleeve.