Skilled Migrant Category Residence Case Study: Demonstrating “Suitably Qualified”

Skilled Migrant Category Residence Case Study: Demonstrating “Suitably Qualified”

When a qualification and occupation are not an obvious match

A Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa application involves more than calculating points. Applicants must meet the relevant requirements for skilled employment, the points-based pathway and any other applicable immigration instructions.

In some cases, particular attention may be required when considering the relationship between an applicant's qualification and their occupation.

This case involved a 24-year-old professional who held a Master of Business Management (Level 9) from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and was employed full-time as a Systems and Applications Trainer with a New Zealand organisation.

The employment was assessed against ANZSCO 223211 – ICT Trainer.

One area requiring detailed consideration was how the applicant's business management qualification related to the knowledge and competencies relevant to the role.

The qualification and occupation

At first glance, the title Master of Business Management may not appear directly aligned with an ICT Trainer position.

However, the assessment was not based solely on the title of the qualification.

The application considered the applicant's:

• actual employment responsibilities

• academic background

• individual papers completed as part of the master's degree

• knowledge and skills developed through those studies

• relationship between the academic content and the duties performed in employment.

The applicant's role involved activities such as planning and delivering training, developing training resources, supporting employees using business systems and applications, identifying learning requirements and assisting with the adoption of organisational systems.

The evidence was therefore presented around the relationship between:

Qualification → Knowledge and Skills → Employment Duties → Occupation

Reviewing the academic content

The applicant's Master of Business Management included papers that provided relevant knowledge and transferable competencies.

Applied Business Research and Communication

This paper supported the applicant's communication, research, presentation and information-sharing capabilities.

These competencies were relevant to developing and delivering structured training and communicating information to employees with different levels of experience.

Managing Organisations and People

This paper provided knowledge relating to organisational behaviour, people management, leadership and workforce development.

These areas were relevant to an employment environment involving training and supporting employees across different teams.

Managing Change

Change management was particularly relevant to a role involving the introduction and use of business systems and applications.

The paper provided knowledge relating to organisational change, stakeholder engagement and supporting people through changes in processes and systems.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

This paper provided knowledge of business processes, operational systems, workflows and organisational efficiency.

These concepts were relevant to understanding and explaining business applications used within an organisation.

Strategy and Performance

This paper supported the applicant's understanding of organisational objectives, performance and strategic alignment.

Applied Business Management Project and Responsible Leadership

These components provided opportunities to demonstrate skills including analysis, problem-solving, planning, project work, communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Looking beyond the qualification title

A qualification title does not necessarily describe every area of knowledge and competency developed during a programme of study.

For this application, the relevant academic content was considered alongside the applicant's actual employment responsibilities.

The purpose was to provide Immigration New Zealand with evidence explaining the relationship between the applicant's studies and the knowledge and skills relevant to her employment.

This type of evidence-based assessment can be particularly relevant where the relationship between a qualification and an occupation is not immediately apparent from the qualification title alone.

The applicant's SMC position

At the time of the application, the applicant's circumstances included:

• 24 years of age

• Master of Business Management (Level 9) from AUT

• More than 12 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand

• Full-time permanent employment

• 40 guaranteed hours per week

• Remuneration of $35 per hour

• Employment assessed against ANZSCO 223211 – ICT Trainer

• A New Zealand Level 9 master's qualification

• 5 points from the qualification

• 1 point from eligible skilled work experience in New Zealand

• 6 points in total under the points-based pathway

Current SMC instructions provide that applicants need 6 points from one skill category or a combination of one skill category and eligible skilled work experience in New Zealand. A New Zealand master's degree may provide 5 points, while 1 year of eligible skilled work experience may provide 1 additional point.

The applicable requirements can change, so applicants should check the immigration instructions that apply to their circumstances and application date.

What this case demonstrates

This case illustrates why an SMC application should not necessarily be approached as a simple points calculation.

In addition to meeting the applicable points requirements, an applicant needs to demonstrate that their circumstances satisfy the relevant immigration instructions.

Where a qualification and occupation do not appear to have an obvious connection, the supporting evidence can be particularly important.

In this case, the application considered the connection between:

Academic study

↓

Knowledge and competencies developed

↓

Employment responsibilities

↓

Claimed occupation

The assessment was therefore based on the applicant's individual circumstances and the evidence available in the application, rather than the qualification title alone.

Thinking about Skilled Migrant Category residence?

If you are working in New Zealand and considering the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, your qualification, employment, remuneration, skilled work experience and supporting evidence may all be relevant to your circumstances.

At Kiwiana Immigration, our licensed immigration advisers can assess your circumstances and explain the applicable residence pathway and evidence requirements.

Get in touch with our team to discuss your Skilled Migrant Category residence options.

Disclaimer: This case study describes a specific client's circumstances and should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of a particular immigration outcome. Immigration requirements and policies can change, and every application is assessed according to the applicant's individual circumstances and the immigration instructions applicable at the time.