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NEW ZEALAND'S new immigration policy has potentially shut the door to an estimated 10,000 hopeful immigrants. The changes see the general skills category scrapped and replaced with an overhauled skilled migrant category with a new points system.
Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said the most "significant change in immigration policy in a decade" would hit many people immediately.
There is a backlog of more than 20,000 applicants under the current system who will be caught up by the legislation. But those already in New Zealand would be better off than those applying from overseas.
"They will be distinctly advantaged, the ones in New Zealand, particularly those that already have a skilled job offer... they will go to the top of the list," the Minister said.
Mrs Dalziel estimated up to 10,000 of those caught by the new legislation would not meet new priority criteria and their applications would have deemed to be lapsed. Refunding their application fees would cost the Government $9 million.
Many of those who applied would have never gained successful employment and were "going to fail", she said.
The points system was flawed because it gave people false hope, she said.
The main change means those seeking residency under the general skills category will no longer have the automatic right to have their application considered under the points system.
In the future, potential immigrants would have to express an interest and if they are deemed worthy by immigration officials then will be invited to apply. Those who do not meet the grade will have no right of appeal.
The potential immigrant who clears the first hurdle would then work their way through a revamped points system.
"There is no point bringing talented and skilled people into New Zealand only to see that talent and skill wasted through unemployment or underemployment," Ms Dalziel said.
However, the Minister said she did not believe the changes would lead to the numbers of people coming to New Zealand drying up. Almost $2 million would be spent enticing people to apply for residency.
The new points system would include bonus points for those with skills that were in short supply in New Zealand and for potential immigrants going to jobs outside Auckland.
Mrs Dalziel also said there would be tougher screening of those expressing an interest, meaning many applicants who misled authorities would have no right of appeal.
"These changes are designed to ensure migrants who are selected because of their skills and talent are set up to succeed not destined to fail. New Zealanders do not want to see skilled migrants driving taxis, cleaning offices and cooking hamburgers," Mrs Dalziel said.
The new categories and points system would come into force later this year or early next. In the meantime an interim category would fill the gap left by the dumping of the general skills category.
To qualify, people would require 29 points and a relevant job offer.
Mrs Dalziel said there would be further changes to toughen up medical tests and further changes to the investor category in August.