[vixxann]

Anyone got to NZ then applied for PR without work permit first??

As we have no job offer (and therefore not enough points) we are planning on going as tourists, getting job offer and work permit then applying for PR.

I know there are different criteria for the different lengths of work permits you apply for (eg. medicals needed for 1yr+) and there's some query regarding the length of work permit you should have to then be able to ship your possessions in. So we're unsure at moment which we'd go for. However was just thinking whats to stop you skipping the work permit stage and going straight for PR once you get your job offer :confused: Have I forgotten some crucial point?

This would mean only one set of application paperwork, medicals, police checks etc and as soon as we got it we could get our stuff shipped over. I suppose the catch might be getting an employer who would wait for you to sort it all out before you actually started work.

Any advice?

[welwynrose]

it will be interesting to see the answers you get as this is what we are also hoping to do

[tigerlily]

I think being able to support yourself for the time that it takes to get the PR would be a hold up for some. The process can be very slow, even with a job offer, at the moment. I think the industry you are in will dictate whether an employer would be willing to wait. If there's a shortage of workers, then they may be flexible. The other issue would be if you have kids who you want to put in school- they would have to pay the international student tuition if you were there on a visitor visa. If you want to fly one way, that's not an option, you need onward passage proved to be able to come into the country. What about applying for a one year work permit when you find a job?

[vixxann]

What about applying for a one year work permit when you find a job?

yes, this is the original way we thought of going - I just wondered if there was anything stopping you going straight for PR.

If you are in NZ when you apply for PR and have job offer would it not come through a little quicker? (I know its guesswork but can anyone advise) We'd be happy to keep kids out of school for a few weeks.

We don't have any reason NOT to get work permit first then PR - I'm just trying to save time, costs and paperwork if possible ;)

[wilson182]

Like tigerlilly, I think it would come down to a potential employer being willing to wait or even give you a job offer. I guess it depends what type of job you would be going after. Technically, PR should come through quicker with a job offer, but I think it may depend on where you are in the country and how busy they are. Im not sure if you are covered by ACC either, on a visitors visa but Im sure someone will know more about that.

[M&J]

As others have sai it will depend on how long an employer will wait. We looked at applying for PR once here as we already had a 9 month work visa and I found the processing times were longer here than in London.

A 9 month visa is really simple to apply for no medical etc and they process it in days just a form and proof of job offer and partnership.

[katiejay]

We're doing the visitor visa, hoping for quick job offer when we get to NZ, and then fast turnaround on a work visa. We don't want to wait for PR before being able to work - too big a gamble, as it might mean we'd lose out on a job while waiting - some recruitment consultants have told us they've experienced this and it puts alot of NZ employers off. The recruitment agents we have spoken to seem pretty confident that they can help us get a work visa within a day or so - I think this is likely to be more like 2 weeks in Christchurch - maybe less in Dunedin. We'll keep the PR application running alongside and hopefully this will come through in time before the new school term starts in January. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure a work visa is enough to get the children into non-paying school anyway.
So the biggest gamble this way is the job offer. Hubby is a welder and we've been told there is plenty of this kind of work, but it's still a bit scary going in with nothing! She'll be right, though, to coin a phrase!;)

[Moorf]

We came on visitor visas having already submitted our EOI and we had been picked from pool but had not yet got as far as receiving our ITA. We got here in Sept 04 and our ITA didn't arrive until Feb 05. In the meantime hubby got a job, and thru that got his work visa (and I mine) and we then could sit back and relax and do the ITA and PR process safe in the knowledge that our work visa's gave us a year or so to stay in NZ.

We found the medicals cheaper to do here, and the turnaround of the ITA was around 2 weeks via Chch office. (difference offices can have wildly different processing times).

Moorf

[Nienke]

Otherwise, I'm pretty sure a work visa is enough to get the children into non-paying school anyway.


If you are talking about a primary or secondary school, then you need a student visa for your children before they can get enrolled into the school!

[katiejay]

Ooh, good tip. I'll do that at the same time as the work visa, then, just in case the PR doesn't come through in time for them to be enrolled in school.
Hopefully, we'll be lucky like Moorf, though, and our plan will come together. You've got to give it a go, haven't you??? :eek:

[vixxann]

We came on visitor visas having already submitted our EOI and we had been picked from pool but had not yet got as far as receiving our ITA. We got here in Sept 04 and our ITA didn't arrive until Feb 05.

Moorf

Wow -didn't realise it could take that long from being picked to getting ITA :o

Think we'll def. go for the work permits first then as you say you can sit comfy whilst you get PR sorted.

Thanks everyone.

Now have to decide which length work permit :roll

[hoffenberg]

i am doing the same thing, i am from south africa and from what i read is that we dont need a visa to visit new zealand. my partner is not skilled but i have experience as a cashier, admin & store manager here in south africa. i also have certificates in occupational health and safety representitive, fire fighting- basic use of hand held equipment and also first aid levels 1,2,3. we have got 2 places to go stay at. will it be possible for me to get a job offer or a work permit.

[katiejay]

My OH got a job offer while we were on a visitor's visa. We applied for a 12 month work permit, and we had to provide a supplementary form from his employer confirming that they couldn't fill the position with an NZ citizen. He got a work permit within a day so he could start work just a few days after his interview. It cost NZ$200. You'll also need a family visa for your partner and student visas for any children if you don't want to pay for schooling. We've done it this way, in the hope that we'll get our ITA and residency completed before the work permit/visas need to be renewed. Hope that helps.
Katie

[katiejay]

Sorry, meant to say it's $200 per application (so $800 for 2 adults and 2 children).

[JoanneG]

We are going for this (scary) option too.

The benefit is that we will be able to fund it all with the interest from the equity on our house rather than trying to struggle to pay a mortgage while the breadwinner is in NZ looking for work and not being paid!

Immigration have told us that we will get PR within days with a job offer in OH's field (IT Networks).

In the meantime our 4 kids have a lot to learn about NZ history and I am informed that the libraries have a lot of resources and can be really helpful so we'll be doing some temporary homeschooling and some touristy stuff while dad looks for work.

We might be posting panic questions in the coming year!

[Moorf Junior]

this is the route we're thinking of going too. How long does it take from doing the EOI til being picked (or not) from the pool?

[Rusty]

this is the route we're thinking of going too. How long does it take from doing the EOI til being picked (or not) from the pool?

It depends mostly on how many points you have and any bonus points for job, skilled experience, skilled qualification. - The other bit is luck.
That said, we managed it with 115 points and no bonus bits, but this is quite rare.
I have an excel spreadsheet with info for all draws in 2006 and 2007 so you can see when would be the most likely/patterns - it does seem Oct/Nov that go to the lowest points levels. I can't attach excel on here, but will email if you want it, just pm your address.

Good luck

[Moorf Junior]

that'll be cool, i'm pm'ing you my addy :)

[Rusty]

that'll be cool, i'm pm'ing you my addy :)

All done.