[Rich]

I've got a job offer from an acredited employer; I'd assumed that we'd be applying for residence under the skilled migrant scheme. But I've been advised to apply for a talent visa.

Can anyone let me know the main differences between the two and the benefits of each as I'm now totally confused!

Thanks
Richard

[jess]

Deleted... I had put info on the Talent Visa for artists, but then realized you actually need info on a Talent Visa for someone being hired by an accredited employer - different thing about which I don't know very much. But there's an overview here (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktoresidence/howdoiapply/stepsfortalent%28accreditedemployers%29/).

(Sorry for any confusion if you read it in the few minutes before I realized my mistake.) :o

[Trigirl]

rich - who has advised you to apply for a talent visa? If the job offer counts as skilled and you have enough points then apply for skilled migrant category. PR via this route will give you the most flexibility - and with a job offer in hand you get fasttracked which means it shouldn't take all that long to get.

if you do the talent visa route you will have to work for that employer for 2 years before you can apply for residence.

[KerryS]

I've got a job offer from an acredited employer; I'd assumed that we'd be applying for residence under the skilled migrant scheme. But I've been advised to apply for a talent visa.



Was it the employer who advised you or someone else? If the employer then I'd personally ignore them - they want to get you over on a talent visa so you'd be tied in to work for them for 2 years before you can get residency and work for anyone else. A friend of mine was trapped this way by a devious employer...

[Oliver]

I'm coming over on a talent visa. It was a very simple and straightforward process. Most importantly, it was very, very quick. It took less than 2 weeks from application to approval of visa and collection of passport.
Question: would it be possible to apply for PR under skilled migrant once one is in NZ? It's a different category to work-to-residence, so if one is successful under the skilled migrant category, surely the WTR would fall away? :confused:

[goodonion]

I had a look through immigration website and am a bit confused. Seems like, once I got a job offer from an accredited employer (which I have) - I can go to nzis and just apply - without having to prove experience and qualifications. It seems all I need to be is under 55, and have the job offer. Assuming I don't mind working for the same employer for two years - should I consider this? I have no qualifications and a hard time proving experience as most of the companies I worked for in the past were either Military or closed down...

Thanks,
Onion.

[Oliver]

Hi Onion
If you have a job offer from an accredited employer and you are concerned that you might not qualify in terms of the skilled migrant category, the talent visa is definitely the way to go. Just remember that the offer of employment should be for minimum 2 years (I think). YOu'll also be required to go through all the medical tests, which is a bit of a schlep.
Good luck.

[Sam B]

And let's face it - talent visa SOUNDS very impressive. I'd love to say "oh, yes, I came over on a TALENT visa don't you know...?" Ha ha ha

[Oliver]

And let's face it - talent visa SOUNDS very impressive. I'd love to say "oh, yes, I came over on a TALENT visa don't you know...?" Ha ha ha

Ha ha! You're so right! People ask me what my special talent is, and I tell them that I can talk and walk at the same time! :D

[Sam B]

ha ha ha