[Trevor Joe]

My Oh and I are in the process of selling our house we are coming over to NZ from UK on 6 months visitors permit. My job is on the immediate skills shortage list (I am a printer with all the relevant qualifications recognised in NZ) and I have been in touch with a print recruitment guy who says I will not have a problem getting a job with my qualifications I just need to be over in NZ. I wonder if anyone else my age has done this or knows of someone because I will be 54 January 2008 and know the cut off age is 55, when I get a WP will this allow me enough time to apply for PR whilst on the WP, hopefully we will sell the house soon and should be over in May/ June allowing about 18 mths. any help appreciated thanks.

[Sam B]

Well in a seminar I went to at the expo, a 54 year old was asking if they were less likely to get PR and the immigration woman said the age limit is 55 - and 54 year olds are treated exactly the same as any younger person. Although I think she said get the EOI in several months before 55th birthday.

[victoria]

This is really important to me. I have been told on several occassions that you can actually be 55 but must have the PR complete before your 56th.Of course the sooner you get everything in the better but I've also been informed that if you're already in the system at 54, reaching 55 you can still continue until (hopefully) you attain a PR. PLEASE!!!! Is there anybody out there who can absolutely confirm that I"ve got this right. Vicky

[jess]

Victoria -

The NZIS website says you are not eligible to apply at age 56 under the skilled migrant category, so I thought 55 was fine."If you’re 56 years or older, you're not eligible to apply under the Skilled Migrant Category. However, you may be eligible to apply for residence under one of our Business Categories."
See NZIS page here (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workandlivepermanently/caniworkinnz/whatisrequired/age.htm).

[Trigirl]

also see section SM4.5 b(iv) in the operations manual here which agrees that you have to be under 56 to be approved.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/6334.htm#o8006

[Trevor Joe]

Thanks everybody for the replies all the info is appreciated. We read this forum all the time and find it very helpful. We just can't wait to get going now and hope we can sell our house very soon!!

[Cardy]

Hi Trevor
What kind of printing do you do ? I worked for a screen printer when i first arrived and i know he is always looking for people. He had companies in Hamilton ,Auckland and Pearoa and i was in Hamilton with the screen printing but i think he may have done other kinds at the other two sights but didnt have a lot to do with them. Might be able to put you in touch bu havent spoken to him for a while. When i applied for a job with him from the uk he did ask me to fly out for an interview so i came over for two weeks and had lots of interviews but he gave me a job straight away.
Cardy

[Trevor Joe]

Thanks for that Cardy I am actually a flexo and litho printer, as i said before I am in touch with a recruitment guy and as soon the house is sold we will be over there. I'll be staying on the forum so if I need to get in touch with you I will, thanks again