[Suzan]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading many of your posts with great interest over the last 6 months or so and it has been an absolute minefield of useful information.

My first post to you was meant to be a happy occasion, but unfortunately I have have some bads news instead. :-(

My EOI was selected from the pool on 14 February 2007. I was claiming extra bonus points from under the Long Term Shortage List. I received a letter from Immigration saying that I could only do this if I had a degree in a related subject. (I do not have a degree)

When I filled in the form it let me select my HNC in the section for the Long Term Shortage List and I genuinly believed that this was ok to do. Now I feel that they think I was trying to deceive them in some way. :-( I also feel let down by Immigration becasue the form should not have allowed me to choose HNC from a combo box if it was not allowed.

I plan to write to them about all of this. I have two weeks to get a letter to them.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? Do you think it's a waste of time talking to them?

I have been a high level Manager for 7 years working for one of the top University's in the UK. Previously worked 2 years as Team Leader in commercial sector. My experience and skills would be, in my humble opinion, an asset to many organisations and it makes me so frustrated that all of this it seems counts for nothing without a degree. What is this world coming to!

Regards

Sue

[holland]

Hello...don't give up!! That would be my advice, we have had to fight for our visa. We had it granted ok in 2005, and then I was involved in a serious car accident and couldn;t travel within the 12 months, so had to watch as it expired...I felt there was no hope, but I wrote letters/emails to practically every government official in New Zealand!!!!....and we now have our visa, and will be going sometime this year.

I always kept in mind this ' Don't wish for it, work for it!'

Good Luck

jade and Graham x

[Suzan]

Thank you,

My instincts are to fight! I am sure I am not the only one who has had to go through this stressful time.

Your kind thoughts are well received. And like you say, keep fighting and eventually you will get your reward. You have proved that. :-)

Regards

Sue

[Twig]

Hi Suzan,

Like you we have not been able to claim LTSSL points as my OH doesn't have the 'accredited degree' that is mentioned on the list. However, because my OH's job is on the list the upshot is, it will be relatively easy to get a job despite not having a degree (he does however has 18 years exp).

So my only advice would be to contact companies/specialised recruitment agencies and try and go down the 'skilled migrant with job-offer' route.

Anyway, good luck!

[Suzan]

Hi Twig,

Thank you for your response. When I left school they had only just started bringing computers in. I'm only 40, but it just shows how quickly things change. I never thought not having a degree would be a problem. I completed courses which I thought would be a benefit overall. :-)

Do you think it is not worth me writing to NZ Immigration then? Shall I just try to get an offer of employment and then apply again?

Thank you again.

Sue

[Juniper]

Though I don't have experience to draw on, I think you should definitely write, just in case there is any doubt in their minds about your honesty. A second application would not be a total "fresh start" in their minds, I believe.

They probably get lots of cases of misunderstandings, but once they actually think there is fraud involved, I believe they may decline further applications. (Not to get you all panicky, I'm just going from memory on some fine print I read somewhere a ways back, on the EOI probably).

The EOI is confusing, so I'm sure they'll understand - although bending the rules seems unlikely. A car accident is special circumstances, but your case sounds like more standard fare. I've heard at least one other person on here with the same complaint about degrees and the shortage list. How do they expect to get enough experienced people if they make all these hurdles...

Couldn't hurt to write them. It's good to have records "just in case" of misunderstanding when you reapply. And they are the best ones to advise you about what to do next. I'm no NZIS official so take my advice with a grain of salt!

[Suzan]

Hi Juniper,

Thanks for your response. I will write to them and explain this then. I think you are right.

There certainly was no thought of me trying to deceive them. I genuinly thought that because the option was available in the form then I thought it was ok to use.

Cheers

Sue

[Trigirl]

the reason this is in the form is that not all LTSSL jobs require a degree.

but this misunderstanding happens an awful lot. there are numerous examples of it on here. so there is no reason whatsoever that NZIS will think you weren't being genuine. however, not a single one of them has ever managed to get a positive decision about getting those points back. fighting NZIS on this is really unlikely to work so if i were you i'd think about a plan b

here's a link to an old thread on this - there are lots of others if you search
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9791

[Suzan]

Hi Trigirl,

This is the clarity I need :-) Your words are wise, thank you for this.

I wont be giving in and hopefully in a month or two I'll back with good news!!

Thank you to everybody who has commented on my post. You are really nice people.

This is the first forum I have ever posted on. Weird I know, for a 'Techie' hehehe

Sue

[Trigirl]

sorry - i forgot to add...

WELCOME :) :)

to the forum.

[Suzan]

Thank you Trigirl ;-)

[Juniper]

I just refreshed my memory on one of the points - as Trigirl was saying, whether or not you need a degree depends on your occupation. Look at the right hand column on the skills shortage list to find out which qualifications you need in order to claim points for experience.

Here's that list for any interested...
http://tinyurl.com/2xbtfb (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/D5484233-E8FE-4232-970E-486C47615D73/0/AmendmentCircular200701.pdf)

[Ana&Steve]

Hi Suzan, and welcome!
Just wanted to offer commiseration, as the same happened to us last year. After we were deselected last May, hubby went back to school to raise his quals, but we realized it wouldn't be enough by itself, so now that his schooling is done we are going over for job hunting *fingers crossed* We haven't let the hiccups deter us, as there are many creative (legal) ways to get over there!:nice1 Good luck with everything and don't get discouraged!
Ana

[Suzan]

Hi Ana,

Thank you for your comment. I am determined to make the move and will look into the Working visa route instead. If I can't get that then I will undertake a trip over and see if I can arrange any interviews before I go. I have read on other threads that NZ companies are more likely to interview if you make the effort to go over there.

I need to research the Working visa route now :-) No rest for the wicked!

Regards

Sue