Immigration lexicon

New Zealand Immigration Points Calculator

Calculate your points for New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa. This assessment evaluates your eligibility based on age, qualifications, work experience, and other factors.

12 Questions
Comprehensive Assessment
160+ Points
Typically Required
Free
Professional Consultation

About the New Zealand Points Calculator

Why Use This Tool?

Our New Zealand Immigration Points Calculator helps you evaluate your eligibility for New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa. This intelligent system assesses your profile based on the official points system and provides personalized recommendations.

How It Works

The assessment evaluates 12 key factors:

  • Step 1: Age and qualifications assessment
  • Step 2: Work experience evaluation (global and NZ-specific)
  • Step 3: Partner qualifications and family connections
  • Step 4: Job offers, location preferences, and English proficiency
  • Step 5: Receive your total points score and personalized advice

Your Information is Confidential

All information you provide is kept strictly confidential and securely transmitted to our trusted New Zealand immigration law partners. Your data is never shared with third parties without your explicit consent.

What Happens After Assessment?

Once you complete the points calculation:

  • You receive instant points breakdown with eligibility status
  • Your information is securely sent to our vetted New Zealand immigration partners
  • A qualified New Zealand immigration advisor contacts you within 24-48 hours
  • You receive expert guidance on improving your points or application strategy
  • No obligation - the consultation is entirely free and confidential

Our Trusted Partners

We work exclusively with licensed New Zealand immigration advisors and law firms with proven expertise in SMC applications. All partners are:

  • Licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA)
  • Experienced with New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category applications
  • Committed to providing transparent, honest guidance
  • Bound by professional confidentiality and ethical standards

Understanding the Points System

New Zealand uses a competitive points-based system. You typically need 160+ points to be selected from the Expression of Interest pool. Points are awarded for age (up to 30 pts), qualifications (up to 70 pts), work experience (up to 50 pts), job offers (50 pts), and other factors. Our calculator uses the official points allocation.

Why Calculate Your Points Now?

New Zealand immigration policies change regularly. Points thresholds, skill shortages, and processing times are subject to government updates. Understanding your current points position helps you plan effectively and identify areas for improvement before policy changes affect your eligibility.

Need More Help?

If you have specific questions about New Zealand immigration requirements not covered by this points calculator, our partner advisors are ready to help. The consultation is completely free and without obligation.

New Zealand Immigration Points Calculator FAQ

New Zealand Points Calculator FAQ

Complete answers to the most frequently asked questions about New Zealand immigration points calculation and the Skilled Migrant Category visa system

What is the New Zealand immigration points calculator?

The New Zealand immigration points calculator is a tool that evaluates your eligibility for New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa based on the official points system. This points calculation for New Zealand immigration assesses factors like age, qualifications, work experience, job offers, and English proficiency to determine if you meet the 160+ points typically required for selection.

How does the point calculation for New Zealand immigration work?

The point calculation for New Zealand immigration uses a comprehensive scoring system where points are awarded for:
Age (20-39 years)
30 points maximum
Qualifications (PhD)
70 points maximum
Work Experience (10+ years)
50 points maximum
Job Offers
50 points
Location (Outside Auckland)
30 bonus points
Partner Qualifications
20 points maximum
Critical Requirement: Scoring below IELTS 6.5 results in -50 points, effectively disqualifying most applicants from the skilled immigration new zealand points calculator system. All bands must be 6.0 or higher.

What is the minimum points score needed for New Zealand skilled immigration?

For New Zealand skilled immigration, you typically need a minimum of 160 points to be competitive for selection from the Expression of Interest pool:
180+ Points
Excellent chances
Quick selection likely
160-179 Points
Competitive range
Good selection prospects
Below 160 Points
Unlikely selection
Need improvement

The immigration New Zealand points calculator shows that higher scores significantly improve your chances of being selected quickly, while scores below 160 points make selection unlikely under current policies.

What qualifications give the highest points in the immigration for New Zealand point calculator?

In the immigration for New Zealand point calculator, qualifications are scored as follows:
PhD/Doctorate
70 points
Highest qualification level
Master's Degree
65 points
Postgraduate level
Bachelor's with Honours
60 points
Honours degree
Bachelor's Degree
50 points
Standard undergraduate
Post-Secondary Diploma
40 points
Technical qualifications
New Zealand Bonus Points: NZ PhD/Masters (+15 points) and NZ Bachelor's/diploma (+10 points), making local study valuable for skilled immigration new zealand points calculator results.

How does work experience affect the immigration to New Zealand points calculator?

Work experience significantly impacts the immigration to new zealand points calculator:
10+ Years
50 points
Maximum experience points
8-9 Years
40 points
Substantial experience
6-7 Years
30 points
Good experience level
4-5 Years
20 points
Moderate experience
2-3 Years
10 points
Basic experience

New Zealand Work Experience Bonus:

  • 4+ years NZ experience: +15 bonus points
  • 2-3 years NZ experience: +10 bonus points
  • 1-2 years NZ experience: +5 bonus points

Skilled work must be relevant to your qualifications to count toward the points calculation.

Does age significantly impact the New Zealand skilled immigration points calculator?

Yes, age significantly impacts the New Zealand skilled immigration points calculator:
20-39 Years
30 points
Maximum age points
40-44 Years
20 points
Good age range
45-49 Years
10 points
Moderate age points
50-55 Years
5 points
Minimal age points
Under 20 or Over 55
0 points
No age advantage

This makes younger applicants more competitive in the immigration in new zealand point calculator system.

How important is English proficiency in the New Zealand immigration point system calculator?

English proficiency is crucial in the New Zealand immigration point system calculator:
IELTS 8.0+
+20 bonus points
Excellent English
IELTS 7.0-7.5
+10 bonus points
Good English
IELTS 6.5
0 bonus points
Meets minimum only
Below IELTS 6.5
-50 points
Severely damaging
Critical Impact: Scoring below IELTS 6.5 results in -50 points, effectively disqualifying most applicants from the skilled immigration new zealand points calculator system.

Can a job offer improve my immigration new zealand points calculator score?

Yes, a skilled job offer significantly improves your immigration new zealand points calculator score:
Skilled Job Offer
+50 points
Any skilled position in NZ
Auckland Job Offer
50 points total
No location bonus
Regional Job Offer
80 points total
50 job + 30 location bonus
Strategic Advantage: Job offers outside Auckland provide an extra 30 location bonus points, making regional opportunities particularly valuable for maximizing your point calculation for new zealand immigration results.

How does having a partner affect the immigration for new zealand point calculator?

Having a qualified partner can significantly boost your immigration for new zealand point calculator score:

Partner Bonus Points:

  • Qualifications + Work Experience: 20 points
  • Qualifications Only: 10 points
  • Work Experience Only: 10 points
  • Neither Qualifications nor Experience: 0 points
Assessment Requirements: Your partner's credentials are assessed separately using the same criteria as the principal applicant. This can make the difference in reaching the 160+ points threshold for new zealand skilled immigration points calculator success.

What location preferences matter in the immigration to new zealand points calculator?

Location preferences significantly impact the immigration to new zealand points calculator:
Outside Auckland:
+30 bonus points
Job offers or intended residence in regional areas
Auckland:
0 bonus points
No location advantage for main city

This policy reflects New Zealand's desire to distribute skilled migrants beyond Auckland, making the immigration in new zealand point calculator favor regional settlement for higher overall scores.

How long does the New Zealand immigration points calculation process take?

The New Zealand immigration points calculation process varies by stage:
Instant
Online Calculator
2-4 Weeks
EOI Processing
6-9 Months
ITA Processing
12-18 Months
Total Timeline
Process Steps: Initial points calculation for new zealand immigration assessment → Expression of Interest (EOI) submission → Invitation to Apply (ITA) → Final residence approval. The new zealand immigration point system calculator provides immediate preliminary results.

Can I improve my score after using the skilled immigration new zealand points calculator?

Yes, you can improve your score after using the skilled immigration new zealand points calculator:
English Improvement
IELTS retakes
Up to +20 points possible
Gain Experience
Additional work years
+10 points per tier
NZ Qualifications
Study in New Zealand
+10 to +15 bonus points
Job Search
Secure NZ employment
+50 to +80 points
Partner Development
Partner gains qualifications
Up to +20 points
Regional Focus
Target outside Auckland
+30 location bonus

The immigration new zealand points calculator can be used repeatedly to track improvements and plan your strategy.

What family connections help in the New Zealand immigration point system calculator?

Family connections provide modest benefits in the New Zealand immigration point system calculator:

Family Bonus Points (+10 points):

  • Parents: Who are NZ citizens or residents
  • Siblings: Who are NZ citizens or residents
  • Adult Children: Who are NZ citizens or residents
Limited Impact: While not a major factor compared to qualifications or job offers, these family points can help push borderline applications over the 160-point threshold in the immigration in new zealand point calculator system.

Are there negative points in the immigration new zealand points calculator?

Yes, the immigration new zealand points calculator includes negative points for certain factors:
English Below IELTS 6.5:
-50 points
Severely impacts eligibility
Insufficient Settlement Funds:
-20 points
Must demonstrate financial capacity
Health/Character Issues:
-100 points
Can be disqualifying
Critical Impact: These negative scores can severely impact your point calculation for new zealand immigration, making it essential to meet all basic requirements before applying. English proficiency below 6.5 is particularly damaging.

What settlement funds are required for the New Zealand immigration point system calculator?

Settlement funds are a mandatory requirement in the New Zealand immigration point system calculator:
NZ$4,200
Single Applicant
NZ$7,000
Couple
NZ$1,050
Per Child
Requirements: Funds must be available for 12+ months, held in your name, and transferable to New Zealand. Job offer holders may have reduced requirements. Insufficient funds result in -20 points in the skilled immigration new zealand points calculator.

Can I use the immigration to new zealand points calculator multiple times?

Yes, you can use the immigration to new zealand points calculator multiple times to:
  • Track Improvements: Monitor score changes as you gain experience or qualifications
  • Test Scenarios: Compare different pathways (study vs. work vs. job search)
  • Plan Strategy: Identify which factors will give you the biggest point increases
  • Update Information: Reflect changes in circumstances or policy updates
  • Partner Assessment: Calculate different combinations of principal applicant
Strategic Tool: The immigration in new zealand point calculator is designed for multiple uses to help you optimize your immigration strategy and timeline.

How accurate is the New Zealand immigration point calculator?

The New Zealand immigration point calculator is based on the official Immigration New Zealand points system and provides accurate estimates. However, final point calculations may vary based on:
  • Qualification Recognition: NZQA assessment outcomes may differ from initial estimates
  • Skills Assessment: Professional body evaluations for specific occupations
  • Policy Changes: Immigration rules and point allocations can be updated
  • Documentation Verification: Supporting evidence must meet strict requirements
  • Work Experience Validation: Employment history must be properly documented
Professional Advice: Professional assessment by licensed immigration advisers is recommended for precise point calculation for New Zealand immigration applications.

Disclaimer:
 immigrationlexicon.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. All information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney. Views expressed on this website are those of the individual authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of immigrationlexicon.com or its affiliates. Visitors are encouraged to seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters or concerns they may have. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship between the user and immigrationlexicon.com or its contributors.
Immigration Lexicon is backed by an international law firm to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content we provide.

© Immigration lexicon 2025 All Rights Reserved