Medical Professions Cut From NZ Visa Points List

New Zealand is to reduce the number of professions that are being actively sought as part of the nation’s special work visa program.

The changes, which will take effect from March 2015, mostly affect certain kinds of medical and engineering professionals, who fall under one of two of New Zealand’s Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) Lists: the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) and the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL).

New Zealand operates a points-based system for those seeking to live and work in the nation. In the case of the LTSSL, migrants applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category may gain bonus points if they have an offer of employment, work experience, or qualifications in an area included on the list.

The lists are reviewed annually by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. Some professions are being removed due to low numbers of applicants over the past five years.

The review has confirmed that the LTSSL will continue to include General Practitioner and Medical Physicist, as well as several kinds of Registered Nurse (Aged Care; Critical Care and Emergency; Medical; and Perioperative). Meanwhile, the ISSL will continue to feature the profession Resident Medical Officer. However, to prevent migrants competing with New Zealanders for entry-level jobs, the work experience requirement for Registered Nurse (aside from Aged Care) is being raised from three years to five years, and for Resident Medical Officer from one year to two years.

The Ministry stressed that the removal of a profession from a skill shortage list does not mean that specialists in this area cannot migrate.

http://www.expatbriefing.com/expat-news/Medical-Professions-Cut-From-NZ-Visa-Points-List-66845.html