[nefertiti]

hello all.... I am just waiting in anticipation about any news from NZIS london.... Its just taking too long... the last I heard from my case officer was 22nd June 2007. Saying that "I am waiting for verification of some of the documents submitted. This is done by outside agencies, as soon as I have the information I will let you know"

I have not contacted them ever since. I do not know if I should. Its just the waiting game I can't handle. My Case Officer is Maxine Little. I read some reviews that she is a good CO.

Anyone of you had the same agony of the waiting game ? as you can see its been now 22 weeks that I submitted my ITA and no decision as yet. No interview invitation nor approval in principle. I'm dreading its gonna be rejected ! :uhoh

[The Dales]

Hi neferti,

Yes, we can relate to the waiting game as we have not long been granted visa's after a looooong wait.

Basically, whenever we thought things were taking a while or were unsure as to whether there was a hold up, we emailed those concerned and probably bugged them to death by our impatience. That would be my advice - fire off a couple of emails, we generally had very good and informative responses at each stage of the process when we did this.

[mgbridges]

Maxine was/is our case officer and was generally pretty good, although she does play it very much by the book. She was generally responsive although occasionally she goes quiet for a while. We're currently trying to sort out getting the blue stickers with the slight complication that I (as the principle applicant) am in Auckland and my wife and son are in London. My wife is trying to deal with Maxine and not getting a huge amount of help, but for the most part she's been pretty good.

Martin

[nefertiti]

Thanks for the +ve replies.... I have emailed Maxine today... so lets see what response I get.. This is what I said

" Hi Maxine, Its been along time since I have heard anything. Just wanted to know the progress of the application. Sorry for the bother as you know the anticipation of not hearing any news and I know that you must be extremely busy on other cases. Have a nice day. :o)"

I have been polite as I can.. Lets hope for the best.. Fingers XD ! :o)

[nefertiti]

A day has gone by, and no replies to my query from the NZIS...... hmmmm :(

[nefertiti]

update !

got this mssg today "I am still waiting on information. I have chased this. Will let you know asap"


dunno how positive could that be ....? :wah :roll

[MJ71]

Sounds ok. Do you know what information she is waiting on? Maybe you could also chase up the information. It is very frustrating waiting. Holding thumbs that you get an answer soon.

[nefertiti]

Well this is what I had replied to her after that mssg
26/07/07
"Hi Maxine, Thanks for the reply. Hoping the news will come sooner. Is there any other information that you like from me that could help in the process of this application ? Thanks once again for your assistance"

This is the reply i got - Nothing else required at the moment thank you

She emailed today 27/07/07 - asking for further info - Can you please let me have the originals of your qualifications from XXXXXXXX University and the University of XXXXXXX.

I replied - "Hi Maxine, Yes you can have the originals of my degree certificates. I can drop them off on Monday 30th July at your offices.
Thanking you. Best Rgds"

So fingas xd... I shall go on Monday @ NZIS house, London to drop 'em off. I am really dreading the outcome... Dunno what to think ! :wah

[nefertiti]

well its Monday, I went over to give in the relevant originals qualifications of my degrees to Maxine. I also included my academic transcripts and ref letters from the Uni.... now I dunno what happens next..... this is really stressful and daunting as I do not what the outcome will be. Its been 23 weeks since I handed in my ITA paperwork. What's really stressful is that I have told no one about the whole thing esp my parents and family and also my close friends.... :wah :wah :uhoh :uhoh

[nefertiti]

Now after almost 6 months, I got this email today from my CO (Maxine) stating that " We are having trouble verifying your work experience in Kenya, without which points cannot be awarded"

I had given them all the necessary information way back in Dec to a Visa officer (Chris McKain) who was dealing with the paperwork. She didn't get back to me after that and its been months that she has left NZIS.

I have emailed Maxine back with all the necessary info of the Kenyan company ( unfortunately the company voluntarily wound up) that I used to work with and given them the contact address, phone and email of the ex-director.

I simply am gutted that they will reject the application because of all this ! Arggggggggggggh ! :wah :wah :wah :wah

[nefertiti]

gosh this is been a difficult ride ! I do not see any light at the end of the tunnel, I think I am gonna give up !:no

this is response I got from my earlier reply -

Documentation such as work experience references are required to be verified, until verification has been rec’d the points claimed at eoi stage cannot actually be awarded, even though you submitted evidence of your work experience to my colleague. We haven’t been able to verify the work experience with XXXXX as yet. I will forward the information you have given me to our verification officer.

If you have been working in the computer industry since 2006 this could be added to your work experience and if enough could mean that points could be awarded without having to rely on the work experience from Kenya?

I replied back saying -

Thanks for your clarification. I understand about the verification process and the need of it. If your colleague had asked me these queries earlier, I would have gladly given her the details and the verification process could have been done earlier.

Sorry after 2006, I have not been working in the computer industry so that cannot help. I hope the details that I have given you can assist in the verification process. Thanks again for your help and understanding. Please do let me know if you require any further help for verifying the Kenyan work experience.

Almost 6 months now...... and nothing.... I feel do gutted. reading other peps threads about AIP (approved in principle), interviews and blue stickers.... i don't i am gonna make it. Gone down the dump all the dough wasted :wah :wah

[Silverwing86]

Hi nefertiti,

I really feel for you and the situation you're in !

I know how heartwrenching and stressfull it can be as we had to wait 9 months from submitting the ITA till AIP ! Ours was a totally different situation though, as it had to do with medical issues, but extremely stressfull just the same ! In the end it came down to just being patient, doing whatever they asked for and staying polite (not always easy :D !).

Although I am ofcourse no expert, I cannot imagine that if you have supplied the contact information of the ex director, this would not suffice for the verification process. Perhaps they're just having a hard time making contact ?

I know it's easier said than done, but you know what they say, " it's not over till the fat lady sings". Take heart, although the process can be arduous, stressfull and especially, loooooong, it can be done. Hang in there, don't lose hope !!

Sorry I can't be of more help, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone and wishing you all the best and much courage for the long wait.

I know we don't know each other at all but perhaps a virtual hug {{{{{hug}}}} would be okay ??

Good luck !
Silver

[nefertiti]

Hey Silver,

Thanks for the sympathy.... and the hugs. Seriously these is really doing my head in. I do not why they did not verify when I initially gave them the reference letter way back in Dec06 and they asked for it again. I gave it to them in June 07 and now they cannot verify it. It was until chased it up of what is taking long to get any info on my application. Now they tell me this. So I have given them my ex-director's contacts of which I had worked with about 7 years ago. The dialling codes have even changed. I have given them all details. Hope they manage to get in contact with him.

If nothing works I just do not know what to do. As I have only 1 and half years experience here in the UK. Its just difficult to get an IT job here esp being a foreigner. I am claiming 115 points. If they don't take the Kenyan work experience in account then the point would go down and I do not by how much + they will not take into account the full points for the UK work experience.

:no :wah :no :wah

[busylizzie]

Hi there, hope you don't mind me butting in here but we are in sort of the same situation re the waiting, waiting & waiting ........................ game.
we submitted our ita with 190 points & job offer & when I telephoned our CO last week, was told he would be in touch soon................. a week later and nothing. this waiting for news is doing our heads in. starting to get short tempered with OH (who is a plumber & principle applicant). Would email CO but he didn't answer, hence the phone call & don't know whether to phone him again, will this be seen as pushy (although we have only contacted CO once). Our house is sold and we have to be out by 10th Aug, starting to panic - omg, what if they say no, doesn't bear thinking about, omg.
good luck with your application and hope you get some good news soon.

[nefertiti]

Hey busylizzie, wow I am shocked to read your shocker ! gosh .... why do these people torture us like this ! :no

Btw... I have had worse news now.... My ex-director is out of the country and is here in London. I also have managed to get his mobile no. here through his son. He is here until the end of Aug. Now the point is, Do I inform my CO about this new info and do I give them the mobile no. I have been advised by his son that just inform them that he's on vacation.

The problem is if I do give them the contact here, the NZIS people will think that I may have set the whole thing up and how comes that I am in more contact with my ex-employers, though I have had a good relations with them and its kinda like a family. They have helped me in some ways whilst I was working for them.

Gosh I just don't know what the heck shall I do !

P.S. didn't realise my misspelled words and grammar in my last reply. I guess it was a quick frustrated reply ! :wah :wah

[bevsere]

Hi there, hope you don't mind me butting in here but we are in sort of the same situation re the waiting, waiting & waiting ........................ game.
we submitted our ita with 190 points & job offer & when I telephoned our CO last week, was told he would be in touch soon................. a week later and nothing. this waiting for news is doing our heads in. starting to get short tempered with OH (who is a plumber & principle applicant). Would email CO but he didn't answer, hence the phone call & don't know whether to phone him again, will this be seen as pushy (although we have only contacted CO once). Our house is sold and we have to be out by 10th Aug, starting to panic - omg, what if they say no, doesn't bear thinking about, omg.
good luck with your application and hope you get some good news soon.

NZIS should prioritise this application to the job offer start date . When is your NZ employer stating the job starts? I take it your PGDB limited licence is in place ready to work from the day you arrive in NZ.
It may be helpful for the NZ employer to contact your case officer on your behalf stating he needs your plumbing husband....yesterday !

[Nick88]

Unless there is some rule specifically forbidding it, why not call the old employer to ask if he'd mind taking a call from the NZIS while he's in the UK? Once you have his permission pass the number on to the CO, and tell them he is expecting the call. You need to make the processing of your application as easy and quick as poss for the CO, the more they have to do the further down the pile you will go as they keep hitting snags. Do as much of the work as you can for the CO, she has a work load that she has to be seen to be getting through.

[MB]

The problem is if I do give them the contact here, the NZIS people will think that I may have set the whole thing up and how comes that I am in more contact with my ex-employers, though I have had a good relations with them and its kinda like a family. They have helped me in some ways whilst I was working for them.

Yes, I think I'm with Nick88's sentiments re. your above situation. And if you get on well with the ex-employer, can you not call and also (maybe?) emphasize that the CO might well need something on headed paper, perhaps also endorsed/endorsable by a senior person still at the Kenya company, so that you thus gear things to look solidly as though you haven't set things up?
It should be obvious and inoffensive to all parties -- esp. your ex-boss -- that something in black and white, perhaps backed up by a current Kenya manager, would remove all doubt that this is genuine. Most folks know what sticklers immigration officials can be. You could even draft something tailor-made to satisfy the CO (in terms, e.g., of nature of your work in Kenya) to make things easier for your ex-boss and for your application!

All the best with it.

[Nick88]

MB, if you mean that Nefertiti should write the letter herself and email it as a Word doc so that the Kenyan contacts can just print, sign and post it, then agree completely. I did it in a few cases for employer refs during a past application.

A 30 second job will go straight to the top of someone's To Do list, but a 30 minute job will go to the bottom.

[asterix]

Hey another obstacle to overcome! You've got this far. You can do it. You're doing it! I understand the frustation. Don't let it get you down and keep focussed. Have you told any of your friends what you are doing yet. It may help to share it with them. Good luck.

[nefertiti]

Thanks guys/gals,

1stly I am guy, Nefertiti is just an alias LOL... :o)
Well last week I informed my CO about my ex-employer being in holiday until the end of the month. His son has advised me that he's on a family visit so I guess he does not want to be disturbed whilst on his summer vacation. I have provided my CO with the actual ref letter from the Kenyan company. The problem is that they cannot verify that. They told me this after almost a month. If they had asked me I would have given them the direct contacts. The problem here was because this company is based in Kenya, and the addresses and dialling codes had changed. I gave them the new information on the dialling codes (tele nos, fax) and also email. Another hitch was that this company voluntarily wound up after I left. I also gave my CO scanned copies of the Company's Registration, VAT registration and official letter from there Auditors explaining that company's existence and closing up. The auditors are partners with an Intl. audit firm. With all this info, my CO got back to me saying that - I passed the information you have given our verification officer but we would normally seek to speak to someone at the company – although you have given details of someone who could confirm your working there, we cannot verify who this person is. The company registration confirms that the company existed but not that you have worked there. she also asked for more info i.e. P45, P60 and payslips of my employer here in UK. I delivered all those last week. Having read her email, I replied back saying - About Kenyan Company, the contact details that I gave you were of the owner. Mr XXXXX was the Director hence the ref letter from him.

I am in a limbo, I just don't know why they didn't get back to me when I . actually gave them the ref of the Kenyan company way back in Dec 06.

Without the verification coming through, I may loose points. Although She also mentioned that if I had any other work experience here in the UK which relates to my qualifications. I did advise here that I used work in retail and I don't see how that can help as it does not directly co-relate to what was qualified has.

Asterix - Thanks for the advise, No I have not told anyone about this NZ process. I have kept mum about it. No one knows not even my family.


I wish I get a job offer so that this process is hasten ! :no

[Nick88]

Considering how much is at stake I would still be inclined to call the guy and ask.

[busylizzie]

NZIS should prioritise this application to the job offer start date . When is your NZ employer stating the job starts? I take it your PGDB limited licence is in place ready to work from the day you arrive in NZ.
It may be helpful for the NZ employer to contact your case officer on your behalf stating he needs your plumbing husband....yesterday !

Hi there bevsere & everyone

Have u heard anything yet nerfiti?

We are still waiting, OH's NZ employer has emailed case worker saying that he is very short staffed and that OH's start date on his contract was 23rd July but still no joy. Ralph (OH's new employer) emailed him at weekend saying that CO hasn't even replied.

OH phoned again last Friday and was told "application straightforward, no problems, and he will be in touch soon as soon he gets our application back from his colleague". We are now officially 'homeless' and living out of a suitcase with relatives.

I can't take much more of this waiting game. A silly question coming up - do our passports with the eagerly anticipated blue stickers come by mail or courier?

Better go and worry some more lol. Regards to all and good luck with the waiting game.

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi there bevsere & everyone



I can't take much more of this waiting game. A silly question coming up - do our passports with the eagerly anticipated blue stickers come by mail or courier?



Hi,
Ours came by Royal Mail Special Delivery

All the best

Dave and Caroline

[nefertiti]

nope i have not heard anything as yet....as its been 25 weeks now since I submitted my ITA... I just don't... I think I am just going to give up. :wah :wah