The NZIS has published the August 26 figures for successful Expressions of Interest in the Skilled Migrant Category. This was the seventeenth draw of 2009.

A total of 662 Expressions of Interest – representing 1,452 people – were selected. These applicants will now undergo preliminary checks to decide whether an invitation to apply for residency will be issued.

459 out of the 662 applications were from people who already have job offers or a job.

EOIs were selected as follows:

• 373 EOIs were selected that had a points total of 140 or above;
• 126 EOIs were selected that had a points total of 100 or more but less than 140, and included points for offers of skilled employment or current skilled employment in New Zealand.
• 42 EOIs were selected that had a points total of 100 or more but less than 140, and included 15 points for work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage.
• 37 EOIs were selected that had a points total of 100 or more but less than 140, and included 10 points for work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage.
• 55 EOIs were selected that had a points total of 100 or more but less than 140, and included 10 points for a qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage.
• 29 EOIs were selected that had a points total of 120 or more but less than 140. These EOIs did not claim points for offers of skilled employment or current skilled employment in New Zealand, work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage or for a qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage. These EOIs were ranked in descending order of points.

416 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) remain in the pool following the selection. While these EOIs satisfied the general requirements for NZ immigration, they did not meet the selection criteria applied on this occasion. They may potentially be selected in a future draw.

The 10 countries most people were selected from: