[MPD]

Hi

I know this subject has been brought up many times, but please indulge me :-)

I am wanting to come over to NZ beginning 2008, and look for a job.
I will need to have a job offer in order to get a WP, so I will need to arrive on a visitors visa. However, how does one look for a job on a visitors visa, when it appears all agencies stipulate "Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position." etc.
What does this *really* mean? Does it mean I *must* have a WP, or that I must be eligibile for one?

My EOI points are 130 with a valid job offer, and a dismal <50 without :-(

I am currently considering a diploma at the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand - a simple 6 course (9 -12 month course @ level 5) - this will then give me an additional 50 - is this true?

In addition, my degree is due to be complete end 2008 (Bsc), but I am loathe to put everything off another 18 months.

I see from the link below, that a WP can be obtained in NZ - so surely one would then need to be able to interview for a position in NZ?

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktoresidence/howdoiapply/


Many thanks for any advice,
M

[kanatakiwi]

I am not really sure of the answer to your question, but please note that it can take up to two months to get a work visa from within NZ, depending on where you apply. So if you apply for a job they would have to be willing to hold it open for you until you get the visa. However applying here means you would get a case officer and maybe that personal touch could speed things up?

I know it can be done, and in fact I did it but I have a kiwi husband, so am applying for PR under the partnership program and applied for the work visa at the same time, and did nto have a job offer.

[Trigirl]

lots of people do this. i've never heard of the "you must be eleigible to work here" thing being enforced once you are in the country. and although worst case scenario is a couple of months wait for a visa most are only a couple of weeks at the most. in fact i've never heard of anyone waiting much longer than that. but then i think applying for a work visa with a job is likely to be much quicker than applying for a work visa under partnership.

[MPD]

Many thanks for the responses guys! Much appreciated.

Can anyone recommend agencies they have dealt with in NZ for job placements in the IT field? Were they accommodating as to the WP not being applied for yet?

[eternalkiwi]

Most agencies do enforce their requirement to have a legal right to work.
Agencies prefer people with PR though consider people with work visas, especially if they come from the UK or North America.

This is partly a filtering technique and also means they work with candidates who have fewer 'hurdles' in the eyes of employers (i.e. easier to place and gain a quick commission).

It is possible if you have solid qualifications and experience that agencies will consider you for work without a visa, especially if you have hard to find experience and qualification like in IT, Project Management or Engineering.

Shawn

[Trigirl]

by the way it sounds as though doing the open poly course is likely to be a waste of time. you'll still have <100 points so wont get selected with that. same is likely for your degree course.

lots of people have come over here on a visitors visa and got work, especially in IT.

[Singel]

We came here as tourists and OH got an IT job offer less than a month. The work visa took a week to process and we were granted PRs a few months later.

We find that the recruitment agencies here are useless, so it is advisable to apply directly to the companies as well.
Things will happen fast when you are physically in NZ cos' companies prefer to meet the candidate face-to-face.

Here are some links :
http://it.seek.co.nz/
http://jobs.search4.co.nz/?section=it
:cheers

[MPD]

by the way it sounds as though doing the open poly course is likely to be a waste of time. you'll still have <100 points so wont get selected with that. same is likely for your degree course.

lots of people have come over here on a visitors visa and got work, especially in IT.

I think maybe I made a mistake somewhere - lol.

With a diploma (50 points) and my work experience in IT, I get over 200. All those bonus points seem to add up big time. Or, maybe I misunderstand the bonus points (experience in future growth areas, absolute skill shortages etc?)

Lets see:
0 points for job offer and 0 for degree / diploma
30 points for 10 or more years experience
15 points for 6 or more years work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage
25 points for age
= 70 points

now, with a diploma, add 50 + 10 for Qualifications in an area of absolute skills shortage = 60 = 130.

to all that, if I geta job offer outside Auckland, add 70 = 200?

OR job offer + no diploma / degree = -60 = 140 points. Still OK

[Trigirl]

sorry - in your first post you said you had less than 50 points without a job!

however, in order to claim bonus points for IT skills shortage (either work exp or quals) you need a degree in IT - not a diploma - it has to be at level 7

so without a job you would have 55 and with a diploma you will have 105 (and still realistically little or no chance of being selected).

with a job offer and no diploma you would have at least 105 so automatic selection.

if your degree is in IT then there's a possibility you may get bonus points for skills shortage once you've completed that - then you'd have 130 and probably get selected pretty quickly - but i'm just not sure how it works if your degree is after your work experience? you might need to check that with NZIS.

[MPD]

Thanks trigirl.

Am I correct in saying that if Ihave 105 with no diploma etc and a work offer, I would have 155 with a diploman / degree AND a work offer?

[Trigirl]

yes you would. either gives you automatic selection as anyone with a job and over 100 points is selected immediately.