[krdk]

Hello all!

This is my second post as I try to fingure out what I am doing. I am trying to join my boyfriend in AKL (from the US). We have not lived togther and so cannot apply as partners. The Gov't immigration site suggests that I should apply for a temporary work permit then apply for residence as a partner after I've been in NZ for 12 months. My question is how long does it take to get a temparary work permit? I am not on the long or immediate needs lists as I am a guidance counselor.

The TWP is not my ideal way to go, but I only have 105 points under the skilled migrant category, so that does not look good. I am not too eager to move until june or july of next year, but need a good idea of the timeline I need to be aware of.

Katie

[Timbo]

Hi Katie. Timelines depend very much on which office you go through. Auckland being the busiest obviously takes longer than most.
We put in for new WP 2 weeks ago at Hamilton office, and were quoted up to 60 days processing time because it happens to be the time of year when most students are also applying. Our originals took 3 weeks to arrive, with job offer in place.
Good luck

[Oregonkiwi]

My husband's partnership category work visa application was processed in a few days by the NZ Consulate in LA.

[ruthyroo]

No doubt I will be corrected if wrong... but I think you need a job offer to apply for a work visa / permit? Have you got one? And you may need to have your qualifications assessed by the NZQA? It is some time since we applied for WV / P but IIRC Mr Rr had to have a job offer, NZQA assessment and registration with professional body to allow him to apply for a WP.

Timelines really depend on how 'good' your application is. Mr Rr work permit was processed and granted on the spot within about half an hour of being submitted at the office in Hamilton - but the lead up including getting the job offer, assessments and registration, collecting all the paperwork (qualifications, certificates etc), having medicals and police checks done etc etc ad infinitum took several months (and a lot of grey hairs). It was a case of lining up all the ducks well in advance.

Have you tried working your way through a WV / P application form? That is a good way to get an idea of how likely you are to get one. what the requirements are - and work your timeline out from that.

Also, are you under the age limit for a working holiday visa? That might be an easier way to get into NZ, work for while and see how things go, without having to have a job offer in advance.

[eternalkiwi]

As OreganKiwi suggested if you meet the criteria for a Work Visa under the partnership stream, the timeframe is fairly short (usually 2-4 weeks) and as it is a partnership (family) based application your work experience does not count too highly.

Shawn