Opinion on SMC

[syedjafferahmed]

Hello People,

Thanks for allowing me to post this here. I am on a work visa and its been 6months since I am working as a Civil Engineering Technician in a construction company in Auckland CBD. Although I studied a Grad dip in Construction Management (which is a level 7 qualification), I still hold a Bachelors in Engineering (Civil Engineering)

Let me get to the point here, I was landing up to 160 points which is the current selection of points for EOI's by Immigration. But now when I called the immigration, they said I cant claim 10 points for (Do you have a qualification in Absolute Skill Shortage), which is my Bachelors in Engineering. Although It is assessed by NZQA as a Level 7 Bachelors degree in NZQF, I called them and they said you need to have a more specialised degree and you can get it from IPENZ. I understand this, but in the LTSSL for a civil engineering technician, The qualification requirement is listed in the 3rd column as follows.

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering) (NZQF Level 7)
- A diploma at NZQF Level 6, or a higher qualification, with the minimum equivalent of 240 credits, which includes the knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil) (Level 6)
- A Washington Accord or Sydney Accord accredited undergraduate (initial) engineering degree in Civil Engineering (listed - see Note 3)
- A qualification at NZQF Level 7 or higher, with a letter from IPENZ certifying that the degree and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer status in New Zealand
- NZ registration in the field of Civil Engineering as a Chartered Professional Engineer or as an Engineering Technologist by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand


So from my understanding, it should be one of the above and I still hold my Bachelors of Engineering (Civil Engineering) and it is assessed by NZQF. Why do they say I cant claim points for those? Can anyone please advise on that so that It will be very useful? Because it is just those 10 points that I lag which is stopping me from applying for a SMC visa???


Thank you,

Regards,

Syed Jaffer

[JandM]

The NZ government changed the regulations just over a year ago, requiring that the content of most engineering degrees must be checked out by IPENZ. NZQA give the NZ Level, but it is IPENZ that check the content.

[syedjafferahmed]

The NZ government changed the regulations just over a year ago, requiring that the content of most engineering degrees must be checked out by IPENZ. NZQA give the NZ Level, but it is IPENZ that check the content.

So If this is the case, can I apply for a essential skill work visa with same position if my employer is non-accredited employer or does he have to be an accredited employer to support for my essential skills work visa?

[squowse]

The new points system doesn;t come into force until August 14 so as long as your EOI is selected before then I believe the old system applies.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...tegory-changes.

After that you won't get the 10 points for having a qualification in a skills shortage area. So if you have no other way of getting the 10 points I suggest you get your skates on.

Your employer does not have to be accredited for you to apply for an Essential skills visa although it might remove some of the checks they will undertake.

Is your bachelor's degree accredited by the Washington accord? If so you should be ok without NZQA accreditation. I was anyway.

[squowse]

If you are aged between 30-39 and have 4 years work experience you should get an extra 10 points under the new system.

[syedjafferahmed]

Thanks for the reply.

I did realize under the new smc, I may not claim points under qualification being in Absolute skill shortage which was the reason why I was trying to get on my SMC and make use of the opportunity before the new one comes but after I am running 10 points short despite being in a skilled employement, I decided to post this question and get your views on it.

I am in between 20-25 and have half an year of work experience in NZ.

I was primarily looking to do the resident visa but now SMC category resident visa is ruled out, and I don't get to apply for a resident visa thru Ltss residency visa, The only possible option left for me would be applying through an essential skills work visa from where I will have to look for a pathway to a residency visa through the same. I suppose this is the only option left despite me having a skilled job here in Nz.

[squowse]

You can't get the 10 points now, while the old rules are still in place?
Is this because your degree is not Washington accord or assessed by NZQA?

[squowse]

if so then maybe your best option is to carry on working until you have enough work experience to apply for SMC
what visa are you on at the moment and when does it expire?

[syedjafferahmed]

if so then maybe your best option is to carry on working until you have enough work experience to apply for SMC
what visa are you on at the moment and when does it expire?

Hey thanks for your reply,

I am currently a civil engineering technician here in Auckland (My employer is not an accredited employer but pays me well according to the industry standards). The current job runs throughout my visa expiry which is March next year. By January 2018, I will be having an year experience. But still It wouldn't help because by then, the points for " Do you have a qualification in absolute skill shortage list" is scrapped (New Regulations) which means I got 140 points. I am surprised even after having a skilled employment and even if the position is on the skill shortage list, I am not able to proceed for a residency (which is what I was ultimately after). While I was looking for other options, It would be interesting for me to know what your opinion/option would be easy for the current situation to apply for a resident visa or any other pathway to a residency visa?

Your opinion would be much appreciated.

[Carioca]

If you leave Auckland you get 30 points. If you falling short, get a job outside Auckland...