People who would be contributing valuable skills or qualifications to the country, setting up businesses or making a financial investment and who intend to live for a long time, who are easily adaptable to the country's lifestyle and willing to obey its laws and have no previous criminal convictions are welcome to New Zealand.

There are five main categories under which one can immigrate to New Zealand. They are:

1. Family Category

2. General Skills Category

3. Business Investor Category

4. Humanitarian Category

5. Refugee Category

1.1 Family Category :

This category requires you to have a family member who is a Resident or Citizen of New Zealand. Family is defined in a very narrow way under this Policy and covers spouse or partner, parents, children and brothers and sisters only.

This category is available to those applicants who are in genuine and stable marriage or have immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents and who permanently live in New Zealand.

The policy is complex. Each case should be considered in the light of the specific facts. In some instances a family relationship may offer advantages in other categories.

1.2 General Skills Category :

Traditionally most applications are made under this Category. This is a points based system, where points are allocated for "Human Capital" factors such as age, qualifications, work experience, settlement factors, and assets. Maximising your score is vital if an application is to exceed the pass mark which is set each week, based on predictions of trends in applicant numbers. Applicants scoring 25 points or more will only be approved if they meet the relevant weekly pass mark. Applicants who do not score points for qualifications and at least one point for work experience will not be approved.

A degree, diploma or trade certificate of a minimum of three years duration can be granted 10 points which are the minimum points required for qualifications. Additional one year's duration on the degree, diploma or trade certificate qualification would be allotted 11 points and master's degree would be allotted 12 points.

One can be allocated upto a maximum of 10 points for work experience. Two complete years of work experience would be allotted 1 point, 4 years experience 2 points, upto 20 years experience would be allotted 10 points. An immigrant having a genuine offer of employment in New Zealand can be allocated 5 points.

Points are also allocated for age. Young persons between the age of 18 to 24 years would be allocated 8 points and 25 to 29 years would be allocated 10 points. Persons above the age of 50 years would be allocated 0 points.

If you are in a position to transfer New Zealand $ 1 lakh to New Zealand, within the period of six months from the date of approval, you will be allocated 1 point and for double that amount, you would be allocated double the points i.e. 2 points.

1 point will be allocated to you if your spouse possesses a degree, diploma or trade certificate of a minimum of three years duration and 2 points, if your spouse possesses advanced qualifications or master's degree.

If you have lawfully gained work experience in New Zealand, for one years experience you can be allocated 1 point and two years work experience 2 points.

If you have a parent, a brother, a sister or child who is 17 years and over and is a New Zealand citizen or resident and has been lawfully and permanently living in New Zealand for at least three years, and if he or she sponsors you ensuring financial support and accommodation to you for at least 12 months, the you would score 3 points for such family sponsorship.

1.3 Business Investor Category :

This category has an annual target which will be controlled by the setting of a weekly pass mark. The minimum requirements are the ability to transfer to New Zealand and invest at least NZ$750,000 earned through your business skills, and that you be aged under 66 years.

This is a complex category requiring substantial paperwork to ensure that the evidential demands are met. Good advice will ensure you are not forced to move any more money than is necessary. The correct blend of "passive" and "active" investment will ensure success without excessive cost.

This category is also points system. Applicants score points for factors such as investment funds, business experience, qualifications and age.

The objective of the Business Investor category is to select business investor migrants who will increase New Zealand's levels of human capital, enterprise and innovation and foster international linkages.

To be granted residence under the Business Investor category you must score enough points to meet the pass mark that applies at the time your application is accepted, make and acceptable investment and meet all other requirements.

Applications in the Business Investor category with a points score of 11 or less will be declined. Applications scoring 12 points or more will only be approved if they meet the relevant weekly pass mark. Applicants who do not score at least one point for accumulated earnings funds will not be approved.

1.4 Humaniatrian Category :

This category is available to those applicants who have the support of a close family member who is a New Zealand citizen or residence permit holder; and whose circumstances are causing serious physical harm or serious emotional harm to the applicant or a New Zealand party that can only be resolved by the applicant being granted residence in New Zealand. You are required to submit medical or psychiatric reports submitting your claim of serious physical or emotional harm.

1.5 Refugee Category

New Zealand has an annual quota for Refugees, which is set and administered by the Government through the United Nations. The current quota is 800, and is only available to people with UN Refugee status.

1.6 Miscellaneous

Good health, good character and good level of English language is a must for any person intending to immigrate to New Zealand. You can also obtain work visa or work permit to work in New Zealand if you are an overseas student requiring practical work experience or you are a partner of New Zealand citizen or resident or if you are a player on tour or competing in a tournament or are a professional and for various other reasons.

Out of the total of 33,836 people who were approved for residence in New Zealand in the year 1997, 26% were from Europe, 23% from North Asia and 18% were from Middle East and Africa. In the year 1997, about 2,311 Indians migrated to New Zealand.