[bk88]

Hello Everyone!

My name is Beth (Elizabeth if you prefer to be more formal) and I came upon this great site of information for travel and immigration to NZ.

I have a million questions, but will try to find most of the answers in the forums.

I am looking to come to NZ on vacation in early June/ end July 07 to meet some online friends (SI - Blenheim, Marlborough, and mostly Invercargill) and also hop over to OZ for 2-3 weeks during that time. If anyone has done this or has advice..feel free to message me as all info is well appreciated. It seems I do not need a visa at this time as I will only be there less than 3 months. If all goes well in Invercargill, I will look to possibly relocate there sometime in '08.

I want to set myself up as best as possible for future visits/immigration as I read there are restrictions on visits of 9 months total in an 18mo period. Yet I also see that if you want to move with a significant other - you must be there a year minimum and be able to prove it. I read some threads about a working vacation visa? How long can those last? Can a citizen just sponsor you for a move?

I read several terms I was unsure of such as "OH" and "NZQA" Havent found the meaning of OH and it seems the NZQA is only for teacher qualifications? I will be graduating in May with an AAS in Information Technology Specialist: Network Administration and also have an AAS in Microcomputer Support Specialist as well as a few IT certificates (not certifications as of yet) and intend on working on my Bachelor's Degree in the time between now and a possible move. Some friends think that the job market in Invercargill would be good for IT, I read different in here? True? Also, how important is having the Bachelor's - in the skilled jobs lists I see over and over Bachelor's and 3 yrs Experience in the selected field. Is it possible to find something with less? Just trying to think ahead and get my ducks in a row so as not to do something I shouldn't or forget something I should.

I am a nontraditional student as I am 44 now (45 in August) what is the age cut off/job market like for older employees etc? I thought I read 56 as a cutoff somewhere?

I read on one airline site I had to apply to visit NZ and there was a 16pg form? Is this true? Also, do I need shots before my trip, one site "suggested" some and others say no? My friend in Invercargill will sponsor my visit and do anything else needed to comply with requirements on his end. Again, any advice?

Oh and what I've read so far makes me feel very comfortable as everyone in here seems so wonderfully helpful and genuine. What a great community!

Thanks for any help/comments in advance!
Beth

[barryp]

Re IT here:
(1) Some of us in the field consider degrees and certifications of minimal use. But most employers really like them, and NZIS devotes quite a bit of energy to assessing degrees granted overseas and ascertaining the job-relevance of particular certifications. Lists are published and updated.
(2) IT here values youth, but not obsessively as in the USA. 44-year-olds can find employment here, even with limited work experience. By contrast, people in IT in the USA are considered in a protected employment class once they hit 40.
(3) IT employment is pretty solid in the biggest cities but very scarce outside them. Invercargill: not a hot spot.

Welcome!

[Oregonkiwi]

Welcome!
You seem to be getting conflicting information from various sources. It's best to stick with the official source, http://www.immigration.govt.nz/. Pretty much everything you need to know is on there (although sometimes you do have to dig a bit to find what you need); lots of guides, forms, etc.



Yet I also see that if you want to move with a significant other - you must be there a year minimum and be able to prove it.That's not quite it...the year minimum refers to the length of your partnership. NZIS won't recognise your partnership unless you've been living together for at least a year.

I read some threads about a working vacation visa? Working holiday visas for Americans are only for people under 30
Can a citizen just sponsor you for a move?Only if you're family.

I read several terms I was unsure of such as "OH" and "NZQA" Havent found the meaning of OH OH = "other half" = spouse
and it seems the NZQA is only for teacher qualifications? Not only for teachers.

I thought I read 56 as a cutoff somewhere? 55 is the age cut-off for applying for residency under the skilled migrant category.

I read on one airline site I had to apply to visit NZ and there was a 16pg form? Is this true? Only if you're coming for more than 3 months or otherwise can't use the visa waiver program. US citizens don't need a visa for visits under 3 months.
Also, do I need shots before my trip, one site "suggested" some and others say no? No.

good luck with your planning:)

[wiki]

Hi there, I'm from Invercargill and although I'm happy to praise it to the hilt as a wonderful place to live, it's not a big centre for IT. My school friends who went into IT are all either Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Hamilton based. That's not to say there are no systems jobs in Invercargill - just the people who are in them like to stay put.

As for the sponsorship, only NZ-based partners or family can sponsor you - otherwise you really need to go down the skilled migrant route. If you're in a partnership and one of you gets in via skilled migrant then your partner can come in as part of that.

I'm a Kiwi in the UK going through the partnership sponsorship for my OH (other half) right now. I've not live in NZ for 10 years, but that's okay since we only have to prove that we've lived together and have a stable relationship here in the UK.

What made you decide on Invercargill, apart from your friend? You may find it easier to come to In'gill first for a visit but then explore job markets further afield. Good luck, and PM me if you have any Invercargill questions.

[migratory birds]

Welcome, Beth!

We're currently just down the road from you!

If you're coming up on 45 this summer, you might want to look into applying to emigrate to Australia while you can because once you turn 45 (or is it the last day before you turn 46?) you can no longer apply to emigrate there. The cut-off for NZ is 55. If you emigrate to NZ, establish permanant residency, become a citizen you can still travel freely b/w NZ and Oz, own land and work in Oz but just not vote or become a citizen.

OREGONKIWI - how do you do all that great quote pulling/posting? I haven't figured that out!

[DrPhred]

Welcome. Also don the road or river from you.
I just turned 45 and that lowered my points, the older you get the lower the points.

[Oregonkiwi]

OREGONKIWI - how do you do all that great quote pulling/posting? I haven't figured that out!

I used the QUOTE button to copy the whole message into my reply and then typed the quote/unquote code where I wanted to make breaks to type my replies. I can't type it properly to show you as then it puts a big quote in the middle of my text. The word "quote" in capitals in [] goes at the start and "/quote" in caps in [] at the end. This explains it better:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/misc.php?do=bbcode

[bk88]

Barry - Thanks for the info - good to know.

Oregonkiwi - Wow, thanks for addressing those seperately - and the help/info how to post that way. I think I was looking at too many sites - but the airline sites try to be helpful and post links so at the time I was reading anything I came across for reference.

Wiki - Thanks for the reply
- Am not looking to be in the main IT centre - just put my schooling/skills to use as best as possible. I can see that if the population there is smaller than here (89,000-90,000) at roughly half(48,000-50,000) - that there isn't going to be as much opportunity as where I live even. Time will tell.
- OK so OH can be spouse or live-together partner then. So being married isnt an issue then for immigrants and partners? Seems that many people in NZ and OZ both just live together as partners from people I talk to online.
- Invercargill is the choice as that is where my friend lives ;-) and from talking to him and another girlfriend - it is also quite similar to the weather where I am from - only a bit milder (no super sub-zero days or giant Lake-Effect dumps of snow) I'd prefer NO SNOW ever again in MY LIFETIME, but then that always can't be helped when the heart is involved. I like quieter places. Grew up in the Twin Cities - very busy and chaotic - yet convenient. Lived here now 15 yrs and it's smaller, although beautiful here - the winter's I hate and want a change for my 2nd half of life. I like having space (from neighbours) and some of the city conveniences nearby, but bigger isn't always better as cities go.
- Thanks too for the PM invite - I am sure I will be in contact as it is good to have more information on Invercargill from someone who knows.

Migratory Birds - Hi from up north! Yes, I had originally looked into moving to Oz a couple of years back, but then their age cut-off was nearing and with the things I need to do here it would be harder to get there before a cut off - then I met my friend and between him and my NZ online g/fs information it just made it easier to look into NZ. Also Oz is more expensive to live/housing etc..as well for someone starting out there on their own. The voting and citizenship in Oz wouldn't be a factor for me at all if all works out in NZ - It is good that people can go between the two countries so easily.

DrPhred - Hello down there! Yeah, if I could only turn back time a few years eh? :P Oh well, I like how old I am, look young, just wish the NUMBER wasn't always a hindrance. It is a shame that employers go for younger, as most these days don't always have the work ethic and drive that people of our age do - knowing what we know and from experiences. Each age has their bonuses obviously. I also need to find out more about these points I keep reading about....*Starts a list of new things to learn*

[Oregonkiwi]

- OK so OH can be spouse or live-together partner then. So being married isnt an issue then for immigrants and partners? Seems that many people in NZ and OZ both just live together as partners from people I talk to online.

I missed that your friend in Invercargill is a "special friend" :)
NZIS doesn't distinguish between married or living together, and recognises same-sex partnerships also (unlike US immigration). Perhaps you could come over as a visitor, then get a job and a work permit (lots of people have done this, try searching the forum for info), then you could live with your friend for a year and then apply for PR on the basis of that partnership? Or you could go through the skilled migrant process if you have enough points.

I hear you on the NO SNOW EVER :laugh - 4 winters at Tahoe was plenty of snow for my lifetime.

[Lisa&Andy]

Hi
Just wanted to say welcome to the forum - hope you find it as helpful as we have :)

[wiki]

Yes weather is much milder than minnesota - I had a friend from St Pauls and wouldn't have like that much snow each winter. I can remember snow falling in Invercargill maybe seven times in 22 years - and no more than a couple of inches. We don't even have snow tyres and only use chains to get up the access roads at the ski-fields.

You don't need to be married for a partnership sponsorship - you just need to prove you're in a stable relationship of at least a year's length. They are looking for things like joint bank accounts, mortgage or tenancy agreements in joint names, post-marked letters or postcards to both, acknowledgements of relationship from family or people of standing in the community.

[bk88]

Hi Lisa & Andy and thanks! So far it's been great to come in and read when I get a chance..busy with work and school til next Tues (the end of my finals) and a few other things. It's really a great forum.

Thanks for that info Wiki..sorry about not replying sooner. I'll have to let him know to save some of the things I have mailed, although I am sure he has, just not maybe the packaging. But there is plenty of time for that.

I booked my trip to Oz & Nz last week and got my tickets last friday. I will be landing in Christchurch from Syd on 25 June, and then onto Dunedin where I'll be driving down with him to Invercargill, staying there until 1-8. So I get to scope out the South Island, Invercargill mainly for about 5 weeks, where I'll be staying with him. Maybe see some of you around :nice1

Cheers!