WA to SI
15th July 2007, 03:38 AM
Hello all,
I’ve mostly been lurking here, and quietly going through the Work to Residence (Talent-Accredited Employer) process. My visa is on the way, according to the NZ Embassy, so I thought this a good time to share my experience.
I had a job offer from an accredited employer before I started the process, which is a huge plus and allows one to obtain the WTR talent visa. This visa will be for 30 months, so police checks (FBI) and medicals are required. The FBI website currently lists the processing time as 16 to 18 weeks; however, I obtained mine in about 4 weeks by asking for expedited service due to immigration issues and then following up with an email to the CJIS department. Lesson – don’t be afraid to be pesky, it seems to help to keep your name in their minds.
The medical form actually proved more problematic, not because of health problems, just getting the forms properly filled out by the various departments. I actually had this form returned by the NZ embassy because the doctor didn’t check the boxes for which blood tests had been performed, despite the results being shown! Also forgot to have the person drawing blood sign and date a passport photo. Lesson – know how to herd reluctant cats and check EVERY action item and box!
Once the completed visa application is in the NZ embassy’s possession, the processing time for an accredited employer is less than 2 weeks. And this was with them apologizing for being backed up!
I used Upakweship to send my household goods, because I only had one pallet to send (after much junk jettisoning) and they are quite reasonable for less than container loads. I boxed my stuff and delivered it to their agent in Tacoma, Washington, they will deliver to Christchurch. The minimum is 100 cubic feet at $8.50/cu. ft, or $850. I went slightly over minimum, at 110 cubic feet, and with zero deductible loss insurance the total was $1100. Very smooth process, we will see about the results in mid-August when my goods arrive.
Unfortunately I purchased round trip airfare before I knew I didn’t need to with a WTR visa, and Air NZ has a $300 cancellation fee! So, I will keep the return leg open for now, maybe use it down the road for a visit to the US, unless somebody has inside information on how to plead ignorance and exchange R/T for one-way without paying the cancellation fee?
That’s all for now, I will update this post when my visa arrives – I was told it would be sent in “a couple days” on Thursday, July 12.
I’ve mostly been lurking here, and quietly going through the Work to Residence (Talent-Accredited Employer) process. My visa is on the way, according to the NZ Embassy, so I thought this a good time to share my experience.
I had a job offer from an accredited employer before I started the process, which is a huge plus and allows one to obtain the WTR talent visa. This visa will be for 30 months, so police checks (FBI) and medicals are required. The FBI website currently lists the processing time as 16 to 18 weeks; however, I obtained mine in about 4 weeks by asking for expedited service due to immigration issues and then following up with an email to the CJIS department. Lesson – don’t be afraid to be pesky, it seems to help to keep your name in their minds.
The medical form actually proved more problematic, not because of health problems, just getting the forms properly filled out by the various departments. I actually had this form returned by the NZ embassy because the doctor didn’t check the boxes for which blood tests had been performed, despite the results being shown! Also forgot to have the person drawing blood sign and date a passport photo. Lesson – know how to herd reluctant cats and check EVERY action item and box!
Once the completed visa application is in the NZ embassy’s possession, the processing time for an accredited employer is less than 2 weeks. And this was with them apologizing for being backed up!
I used Upakweship to send my household goods, because I only had one pallet to send (after much junk jettisoning) and they are quite reasonable for less than container loads. I boxed my stuff and delivered it to their agent in Tacoma, Washington, they will deliver to Christchurch. The minimum is 100 cubic feet at $8.50/cu. ft, or $850. I went slightly over minimum, at 110 cubic feet, and with zero deductible loss insurance the total was $1100. Very smooth process, we will see about the results in mid-August when my goods arrive.
Unfortunately I purchased round trip airfare before I knew I didn’t need to with a WTR visa, and Air NZ has a $300 cancellation fee! So, I will keep the return leg open for now, maybe use it down the road for a visit to the US, unless somebody has inside information on how to plead ignorance and exchange R/T for one-way without paying the cancellation fee?
That’s all for now, I will update this post when my visa arrives – I was told it would be sent in “a couple days” on Thursday, July 12.