[ablears001]

Hello

Well, my hopes of sailing through the skilled migrant stream were dashed today when the case officer gave me 130 points instead of 140. I'd worked out the points for experience in an area of absolute skills shortage incorrectly - 8 years web development/IT experience BUT my degree is in Journalism and Creative Writing, so it counts for nothing.

I'm going to focus on the family scheme (adult child) instead as my Dad has lived in NZ for 10 years. I'm aware I need a valid offer of employment. I'm thinking that's still a formidable barrier - are potential NZ employers happy to give a job offer knowing it will take 6-8 months for the application to be processed?

One thing I haven't seen about the Family scheme - if the application is granted, would I still have up to 9 months to fly over and activate it?

cheers
Anthony

[ablears001]

Just found out from a Visa Officer that I would have 1 year to activate the visa coming through the family stream.

[Helsandfamily]

Hi anthony,

just a quickie, we also "lost points" at the eoi stage because of the degree not being in the same field as the work experience. However we were told that if there was a significant course content of that subject we may be able to get those points back. It may be worth querying this with the visa officer via email, if this is the case and getting transcripts of your degree. Either way it looks as though you will be ok.

All the very best of luck

Hels

[Belmont Babes]

Well we had 130 points and were fished out straight away, have things changed?

[ablears001]

You can be picked if you have under 140 points (if you have a job offer for example). In my case I don't have an offer yet.

Anthony

[ablears001]

Hi anthony,

just a quickie, we also "lost points" at the eoi stage because of the degree not being in the same field as the work experience. However we were told that if there was a significant course content of that subject we may be able to get those points back. It may be worth querying this with the visa officer via email, if this is the case and getting transcripts of your degree. Either way it looks as though you will be ok.

All the very best of luck

Hels

I had heard that was possible. Unfortunately in my case it's hard to frame a creative writing degree as having much to do with IT :uhoh

Never mind, I'm sure applying through the family stream will be fine, I'll just have to be open to ANY job offer to get me in!

cheers
Anthony