[bilbo baggins]

Hi

I am a little confused over which category will be the easiest to go for. I would as a midwife be classed as a skilled migrant but as yet am not sure if I wish to be a NZ resident so will be applying for a working visa. I hope we will wish to stay but obviously this is such a big step for us. Is this the best way to go about it. Also I hope to have secured a job before we go but does this have to be full time? Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[marcia]

The skilled migrant category is probably your best choice. having PR doesn't mean you have to stay if you don't like it! But if you do its a lot less hassle than coming in on a working visa! :)

[Wahlet]

I got my PR through the Skilled Migrant category. It is really nice. Definitely gives me peace of mind. But just be aware that it's a lot more expensive than going the Work Visa route. Everything including immigration fees, medicals, etc cost me over $3000 USD. Going the work visa route would have cost me less than half that. It requires some commitment to shell out that much cash. All that said, I don't regret going SMC.

[IanW99]

I got my PR through the Skilled Migrant category. It is really nice. Definitely gives me peace of mind. But just be aware that it's a lot more expensive than going the Work Visa route. Everything including immigration fees, medicals, etc cost me over $3000 USD. Going the work visa route would have cost me less than half that. It requires some commitment to shell out that much cash. All that said, I don't regret going SMC.

You are correct that the PR route is more expensive initially and if you don't settle in NZ then the work visa route would be the best option.

But, if you want medical coverage you would need to apply for a two year work visa and have to do medicals anyway.

Also, if you decide to stay then you will still have to go through the whole PR process and cost anyway, in which case all the money and time spent on the work visa will be wasted.

Another problem with taking the work visa option is that if you later have a health problem then you may not be eligible to get a PR, so also more risky.

So, if you don't mind the risk and want to get to NZ as quick as possible then go for a one year work visa and then if you decide NZ is for you, apply for the PR.

Personally, as you work in the healthcare sector, would say go for PR every time.

Ian

[BlueDevil]

Ian's reply is spot on. Its just a matter of choice. If you really think this will almost certainly be a working holiday, do the work visa.

Some of the requirments for the 24 mo work visa are similar, since the benefits are similar, but the application process (mildly ardous) and the paperwork required for the skilled migrant and significantly longer. You may end up doing both anyway as it can take a while to process perm residency, but the work visa takes much less time.

Adv of perm residency, again as Ian pointed out, is that it gives you flexibility. It is much easier to change jobs, get a cell phone, apartment, ect if you have a perm residency.

Regards,

Chris

[johnrt]

Was there a thread recently that if you only have a working visa, you have to pay import duty on stuff you ship into NZ?

[dilanium]

If your working visa is 12+ months then you do not pay an import duty. If it is less than 12 months then you do.

If you are on a student visa, you pay import duty regardless of length of time.

This applies to when YOU enter the country and not your belongings (in case they are delayed behind you).