[emotony]

Hi, I have just been offered a job in Auckland and need to apply for work visa, I need to know what the process and fees are for applying for permanent residence in NZ once we are there?! It seems there are 2 ways ways of applying either from outside or within NZ OR just get a work visa.

Costs

work visa - per person £80 + medical and x-ray

PR From UK My understanding is that we need EOI, ITA and migrant levy. Approx cost per person about £1080 + medical and x-ray.

PR From NZ Through the Residence from work route I guess $700 per person and maybe use same medicals if within 6 months

it looks to me that work visa then residence from work is cheapest and quickest, is this correct?? what is the point of taking the other option then?

Can we apply for mortgage if we are on work visa in NZ??

Thank you,

Emile

[IanW99]

I'll try and answer some of your questions, sure someone else will clarify then further.

Basically, if you have a job and want to get to NZ as quickly as possible then a Work visa is the way to go. If you only apply for a one year visa then it can be even cheaper as you can also ignore the medicals from home country (but you won't be entitled to free health care).

If you do go the WTR route with a two year visa you will need medicals done in your home country, if you then want to apply for a PR from within NZ then the medicals that you have had are only valid for 3 months (not 6) so you would have to be quick. If you do need a new medical then they are generaly cheaper in NZ than abroad i.e. the UK.

Although a work visa is suitable for some, for many others especially with families, the uncertainty of getting a PR from within NZ is too much of a risk so will apply from their home country. It may also be simpler to sort out paperwork etc.

You can get a mortgage if you are on a work visa, normally the maximum that the banks will lend you under this condition is 80%.

Ian