[E&C]

Hi everyone - my very first time on this forum. We have only just decided to look into moving to New Zealand and I must say, I'm feeling a bit nervous as it seems to be a pretty complicated process. Can I ask a couple of questions? Firstly, can South Africans also get the working holiday visa? If not, how do we get jobs so that our EOIs are more impressive - do any of the companies in NZ hire you if you're still in your own country? I'm not sure if we even qualify at the moment (husband has BSc in Applied Maths/Maths Programming and now owns a small graphic design/advertising busines but I am a mere legal secretary and my 1 year old is going to be something amazing when he's grown up but I doubt that will impress the officials just yet). Any help would be much appreciated (and please tell me if you think we stand no chance at all - better than getting our hopes up!).

[speckythecky]

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry but I can't answer your questions but I am sure someone on here will be able to assist.

If you do a search on keywords you can check answers to previous similar questions.

[debsandandy]

Howzit Durbs
We went through the whole EOI process which took us 18 months from start to acceptance, so be prepared to have some patience. We actually did it ourselves online, having decided not to pay extra to get an immigation agent to do it. You will find a mine of usefull information on www.immigration.govt.nz: the site through which you submit your Expression of Interest. Register and log in, and you will find points calculators etc on there on which you can input you and your hubby's ages, professions, qualifications etc to see how many points you have.
I'm not too sure about the SA working holiday thing, but one thing I can tell you is that NZ firms are not keen to hire you if you are not actually in the country with a work/residence visa: we tried that from here in Cape Town, and the reply of "come see us when you get here" is standard.
I had to reply to your posting ( just joined yesterday myself), as I am from Durban and worked in Marketing there with several design/graphic studios, so it felt close to home.
I really wish you and your family all the best in wanting to make the best for your kid's future: we have a 6 month old and a 3 year old, so I can relate to your situation.
Cheers
Debs

[E&C]

Thanks so much for the replies! Its looking a bit bleak at the moment (the only way we get enough points is if I "pretend" we have a job offer) but we're going to a seminar on 19 March so we'll get to ask some questions there and see if there's any hope. I hope hope hope so - was watching Takalani Sesame (SA version of Sesame street) and one of the puppets has HIV and they were teaching kiddies not to touch other people's blood! So scary!

[able]

and one of the puppets has HIV and they were teaching kiddies not to touch other people's blood! So scary!

Necessary, but shocking nonetheless.

Oh, and welcome from me too.:yes

[Oliver]

Hi from Port Elizabeth. I was lucky. I applied for a job that was advertised on the internet, had a telephonic interview and was offered the position. My prospective employer is a preferred employer (or something like that) in NZ which means that I can enter on a talent visa. All in all, this process takes very little time. The personnel officer assured me that he would be able to get my visa sorted out within a week after I submit my documentation (and if push comes to shove!) I have to follow the work to residence route as the EOI route will take too long.

There are stacks of jobs for legal sec's in NZ. Just check the classifieds of the NZ Herald. http://search4jobs.nzherald.co.nz/

Good luck!

[Brad77]

Hi.

I was lucky. I am a teacher. From job offer to work visa to moving to NZ and getting residency took 4 months BUT I did all the paper work a year before that. I spent 3 hrs per day on the net reading everything and learning as much as I could about NZ etc.

Good luck.

[E&C]

Wow, this is by far the friendliest and most helpful forum I've ever come across (and I've had some very boring jobs so I come across a LOT)! I think I'd be fired if was on the internet three hours a day but I'm on here a lot more than I should be! Thanks for the welcomes and well wishes and the links for jobs.

[pinkpiggy]

Hi there,

Just wanted to add my welcome to the others. For jobs you can also use the Seek website www.seek.co.nz which is excellent.