New Zealand Residence Programme Policy Becomes Stringent

New Zealand’s Residence Programme has made its policy regarding the number of residency permits more stringent for the next two years, between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018. Now, it will get tougher for the eager migrants to gain residency under the skilled migrant and family-sponsored categories.

The recent policy change aims to reduce the number of new migrants over the next two years, as New Zealand is a popular destination with a high demand for places under the Skilled Migrant Category.

According to the revised planning range of the programme, the number of new residence approvals has been reduced to 85,000 to 95,000, down from a previous range of 90,000 to 100,000.

In addition to that, a temporary ban has been imposed on new applications under the parent category, which previously allowed any parents with adult children residing in New Zealand also to apply

Under the Skilled Migrant Category, the number of places for capped family categories has been more than halved from the earlier 5,500 to 2,000. As a result of the changes, no Expressions of Interest will be selected from the Parent Category Pool from 12 October 2016 onwards.

The most crucial change under the skilled migrant category is concerning the minimum points; the threshold for this has now been increased from 140 to 160 points to ensure that the number of residence approvals remains within the approved limits. From 12 October 2016 onwards, only EOIs with a minimum of 160 points or more will be selected.

New Zealand Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said in a statement that the new changes will make way for better management of the skilled migrant and family categories at a time when the demand to obtain residency under these categories continues to expand.

This is a very responsible and pragmatic approach on the part of the government to manage immigration in the country.

 Changes in the English Language Test Requirements

In the recent policy change, it is stated that New Zealand will accept a broader range of English language tests to meet the English language requirements, effective from 21 November 2016. The list of acceptable tests is as follows –

• Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based (TOEFL)
• Occupational English Test (OET)
• Cambridge English: First (FCE) and FCE for Schools
• Pearson Test of English: Academic (PTE: Academic)