News article about SMC processing

[EGoodhue]

I'm 'technically' on maternity leave, but they say there's no rest for the wicked This is an article from Radio New Zealand based on my raising the issue with RNZ's immigration reporter about INZ's unfair method of allowing some SMC applications to jump the queue ahead of most others based on their own internally-set criteria and definition of "skilled migrant". This is an incredibly unfair practice and I hope some meaningful discussion can come out of this article.

Every single applicant in that managed queue has just as much right to have an application there and allocated in a timely manner as everyone else - everyone got to that queue by way of having 160 points or more and deserves to have their application assessed on a 'first in, first out' basis.

There are also a couple of audio clips, and I respectfully disagree with INZ Assistant General Manager, Peter Elms, regarding his comment that INZ has the "prerogative" to allow some applications to jump the queue ahead of others - the Government has set the criteria for being invited to apply for Residence under SMC as having 160 points or more, not solely on the basis of having registration, high remuneration or working for a govt department. INZ's current method of allocating SMC applications to Immigration Officers for assessment is incredibly unfair and I am hopeful that they will put an end to it soon and return to the 'first in, first out' method only.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...aits-for-visas

Audio clips:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/progr...aits-for-visas
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/progr...e-to-immigrate

[Frankgo]

I'm 'technically' on maternity leave, but they say there's no rest for the wicked This is an article from Radio New Zealand based on my raising the issue with RNZ's immigration reporter about INZ's unfair method of allowing some SMC applications to jump the queue ahead of most others based on their own internally-set criteria and definition of "skilled migrant". This is an incredibly unfair practice and I hope some meaningful discussion can come out of this article.

Every single applicant in that managed queue has just as much right to have an application there and allocated in a timely manner as everyone else - everyone got to that queue by way of having 160 points or more and deserves to have their application assessed on a 'first in, first out' basis.

There are also a couple of audio clips, and I respectfully disagree with INZ Assistant General Manager, Peter Elms, regarding his comment that INZ has the "prerogative" to allow some applications to jump the queue ahead of others - the Government has set the criteria for being invited to apply for Residence under SMC as having 160 points or more, not solely on the basis of having registration, high remuneration or working for a govt department. INZ's current method of allocating SMC applications to Immigration Officers for assessment is incredibly unfair and I am hopeful that they will put an end to it soon and return to the 'first in, first out' method only.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...aits-for-visas

Audio clips:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/progr...aits-for-visas
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/progr...e-to-immigrate

Erin, good to hear from you, hope you are doing well with new baby coming up!

Thanks for standing up to this, because in a way you are representing a lot of people that has the same concerns than this guy Ross mentioned in the article, being the most prominent one "should I stay or should I go?".

My Manager says that you are a really brave lady haha.

All the best.

[EGoodhue]

Thanks Frankgo. I'm either brave or stupid INZ is going to be pretty upset with me going to the media about this. But I couldn't sit by and watch them continue to give half-truths about their processing system when it affects real people's lives as much as it does.

[BoerieNZ]

I honestly don't understand the underhanded approach to immigration in this country. It's NOT easy to score 160 points or more. It's NOT cheap and it's NOT easy to get all the paperwork ready in the format that's only accepted by INZ. So even with all that done and all the hoops that we've jumped through, we now have to worry-and-wait due to political agendas and huge egos. Screw that.

[Vccgg]

Thanks Erin for all you do. Really appreciate it. And you a brave lady.
Best wishes.

[deverett]

Thanks for the efforts Erin. We did fire off emails to some press agencies about the situation but never got any traction or feedback on the subject so I'm happy to see someone finally report on the issue with skilled migrants and not just the partner and student visas issues that have been very public. Fingers crossed somebody listens

[kiwihusky]

I personally don’t understand what’s unfair about these criteria. New Zealand needs people who are highly skilled in certain industries quickly to fill a wide gap in the market. Hence, INZ need to prioritise applications who clearly represent these groups, by setting a very sensible list of criteria.
We all know NZ desperately needs nurses, doctors, teachers and few other highly specialised jobs. I do think it’s fair for these applications to be prioritised over others who solely meet the 160 points criteria.
I’m not saying it’s good that the “normal” applications take that long to be processed, however I see they have shown good efforts in fast-tracking applications that deserve it.

P.S: I got residency under skilled migrant category, and my application wasn’t fast-tracked as I didn’t meet any of these criteria.

[deverett]

I personally don’t understand what’s unfair about these criteria. New Zealand needs people who are highly skilled in certain industries quickly to fill a wide gap in the market. Hence, INZ need to prioritise applications who clearly represent these groups, by setting a very sensible list of criteria.
We all know NZ desperately needs nurses, doctors, teachers and few other highly specialised jobs. I do think it’s fair for these applications to be prioritised over others who solely meet the 160 points criteria.
I’m not saying it’s good that the “normal” applications take that long to be processed, however I see they have shown good efforts in fast-tracking applications that deserve it.

P.S: I got residency under skilled migrant category, and my application wasn’t fast-tracked as I didn’t meet any of these criteria.

My issue with it is that it isn't the skilled people new Zealand needs. If they were doing it based on absolute skills shortage that would be frustrating as I still wouldn't benefit but understandable. To prioritize high earners and and government employees is cherry picking the easy work to keep their average processing times down and not necessarily what NZ needs. If you earn $105000 you get a visa quickly even if your job isn't on the skills list, that isn't what is needed employment wise that's just doing a job that needs no evidence to prove the skill so can be signed off quickly.

I've said it a few times but if my company just did the easy jobs those customers that have trickier jobs for us would rightfully be angry that we just didn't sort their problems out and kept pushing out appointments, but our numbers look good because we did the easy work so that's what counts.

[onyiking]

I personally don’t understand what’s unfair about these criteria. New Zealand needs people who are highly skilled in certain industries quickly to fill a wide gap in the market. Hence, INZ need to prioritise applications who clearly represent these groups, by setting a very sensible list of criteria.
We all know NZ desperately needs nurses, doctors, teachers and few other highly specialised jobs. I do think it’s fair for these applications to be prioritised over others who solely meet the 160 points criteria.
I’m not saying it’s good that the “normal” applications take that long to be processed, however I see they have shown good efforts in fast-tracking applications that deserve it.

P.S: I got residency under skilled migrant category, and my application wasn’t fast-tracked as I didn’t meet any of these criteria.

You personally don't understand what's unfair because you already got your residency.

[LemonAndPaeroa]

It is unfair because this is not communicated when you apply for residency - so people are currently making decisions not fully informed.

I literally never listen to the radio but happened to have it on on a random channel yesterday and heard you being quoted Erin!