Pass mark for migrants increased to 30 points

By AUDREY YOUNG


The immigration pass mark has been raised again, from 29 to 30 points, to make it harder for immigrants to qualify in the general skills category.

It is the third time since June that the Government has sought to cut the number qualifying for permanent residency because of high demand.

Under the points system, all applicants who reach the stated points pass - from criteria including age, qualifications, skills and job offers - must be accepted.

The pass mark is raised or lowered in an attempt to meet annual residency approval targets set by the Cabinet, at present 45,000.

The last National-led Government applied a policy of giving no notice of the change in points.

In line with the Labour-led Government's policy, a week's notice of the change has been given. It will take effect on Monday, October 7.

But in line with past experience, an abnormal jump in the number of applications is expected during the week's notice.

Immigration Service figures suggest that the aim of the policy - to reduce the number of eligible applicants - is not working because would-be immigrants rush to lodge applications during the notice period, increasing both the numbers and the backlog of applications facing the service.

At the first increase last year, a month's notice was given and 5000 applications were made during the notice period. The notice was reduced to a week.

An increase in June, from 25 to 28 points, saw 3369 applications in a week, up from the average 543.

The last increase, from 28 to 29, saw 1273 applications lodged in a week, when the norm before then had been 300 to 400 a week.

Acting Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor believes the end result of the points adjustment will be fewer qualifying applicants.

"We accept that there is some immediate pressure, but over time it is moving to alleviate the pressure and increase the qualifications of those people coming into New Zealand.

"From a situation where there was no notice, we assessed it was only fair to offer some notice to people. What we have seen is a downward trend in the number of rushed applications."

He would not go so far as to predict that the rush in the coming week will be less than that of a month ago.

It would be "interesting" to see, he said.

Mr O'Connor said applicants in the general skills category with a job offer relevant to their qualification or work experience would continue to get priority assessment.

The pass mark change would not affect initiatives for business to tap into the global labour market through the talent visa, long-term business visa, and priority occupation list schemes in the work-to-residence programme.

In post-election briefing papers, the Immigration Service warned the Immigration Minister, Lianne Dalziel, that raising the pass mark was not having the desired effect.

It also said it was not practical to use immigration approvals to control net migration as it would lead to "highly volatile inward flows" with high number of immigration approvals required some years to compensate for departing New Zealanders.

To achieve a goal of a 10,000 net migration gain per year, about 63,000 approvals would have been required in 2000-2001 but only 22,000 in 2001-2002, the papers said.

The Government's goal of 45,000 approvals for residency in the present financial year has a tolerance of plus or minus 5000.

That number comprises 60 per cent in the skilled/business category; 30 per cent in the family-sponsored category; and 10 per cent in the international/ humanitarian category.

Further reading
Feature: Immigration