[checkout]

If a person has a WTR how quickly he can get converted to a PR assuming he gets a job.

[Marie P]

We came with WTR [Hubby is an Electrician] ,he got a job in our first week ,after 3 months we sent our passports back to the UK and had PR stamps put in them .

Dont know if its the same for everyone ,but he had to stay in the same job for the 3 months.

Marie x

[Nienke]

Back to the UK? Were you not allowed to get your passports stamped here in Auckland?

[Marie P]

Hi Nienke ..........No we had to send everything back to our case officer in London .

Marie x

[priya]

Hi there ,

We came to NZ with WTR Visa on March 2006. we came under SMC . My Husband got a job offer and after 3 months we submitted for PR on August 2006. He is Working as IT Project Co-ordinator . He has been working as Contractor . We contacted Immigration and asked if we can work as contractor and still apply for PR they said yes .

After 10 months our visa officer yd sent email stating that my husband is working as contractor that means he is self employed and does not count in SMC , so they may reject our Application . They asked us to send a our explanation .

We are in our deep end . After having so much dreams about having a wonderful life in NZ , It seems all wast of money and time .

Can anyone tell what is the best possible solutions for us :confused: we just have 7 more months on our WTR Visa ??

[checkout]

Hello,
Thanks for the post, unfortunately I dont have an answer for your question. I wish you good luck and hopefully things would work out for you guys. Anyways how has been your experience in newzealand so far. Any inputs would help

Regards

[eternalkiwi]

Hello Priya,

Sorry to hear about your situation.

Did you get anything in writing from Immigration that being a contractor is ok?

Would it be possible for your husband to change his status to being on a (longterm) fixed term contract or permanent employee?

Is it possible for your husband to work with another colleague or associate in NZ? If this is possible he could be then employed to perform the contract he is currently working on.

Just a couple of suggestions on how your husband could meet the requirement to be an employee and not self employed.

Shawn

[checkout]

In case of a WTR I assume you need to get a job offer in your skills area for being eligible for a PR after 3 months into the job. Basically any job offer wouldnt help, is my assumption correct?

[steviec]

My understanding of WTR is that it is specific to the job offer and accredited employer.
The permit/ visa is issued on the pretense that you have been offered employment with an accredited company for 24 months and paying at least $45,000. If you finished with the company for whatever reason before the 24 months is over it would break the qualifying period to apply for residency.
I dont think there are time limits on applying for PR while you are working tho.
Sometimes the reason for going down WTR route is not having quite enough points to go straight for PR or to just experience NZ first before diving in.
The job offer or work experince could give you the extra points needed.
Hope this helps.

[KerryS]

Hi there ,

We came to NZ with WTR Visa on March 2006. we came under SMC . My Husband got a job offer and after 3 months we submitted for PR on August 2006. He is Working as IT Project Co-ordinator . He has been working as Contractor . We contacted Immigration and asked if we can work as contractor and still apply for PR they said yes .

After 10 months our visa officer yd sent email stating that my husband is working as contractor that means he is self employed and does not count in SMC , so they may reject our Application . They asked us to send a our explanation .

We are in our deep end . After having so much dreams about having a wonderful life in NZ , It seems all wast of money and time .

Can anyone tell what is the best possible solutions for us :confused: we just have 7 more months on our WTR Visa ??

Priya - the best solution would be to get a job offer from an employer. Can your husband approach the company he's contracting at and ask them of the possibility of this? Would potentially mean a big income drop as PCos are only paid about $60K rather than getting a decent hourly rate, but at least you'd have the opportunity to obtain PR.
Alternatively, has your husband been contracting at the same company for the entire time or for more than 12 months. Technically, although self-employed this does make him an employee under some strange employment legislation. (I can look it up if you need details and this is applicable to your case.)

Sorry you're having problems.


To the OP - if you have WTR with Section18 conditions, then it is 3 months before these are lifted and you can have the PR stickers.