[theboatman]

Hello there everyone. I’ve been lurking in these forums for a while and trying to absorb as much information as possible – there’s so much useful stuff on here.

My girlfriend and I have put together our ‘NZ plan’ and I though I’d post it on here for comments or suggestions on how viable you think this might be. Are we thinking along the right lines and doing things in the right order? I’m sure we not the only ones planning to do things this way.

Just some background, we’re both from the UK, I’m 31, I get 110 points, have no job offer and am professionally qualified but not on the skills shortage list.

Girlfriend is 27, gets 100 points, has no job offer is professionally qualified but not on the skills shortage list.

1) The house in the UK is currently on the market and we’re waiting for it to sell. Until this happens I don’t think there’s much point in doing anything else (or is there something we should be getting on with now, other than general research?)

2) Once we’ve got a sale agreed on the house we can book plane tickets and resign from our jobs (2 months notice required by employer. Flight date will be 2 and a half months from this point in time). Start to make contact with potential NZ employers, send out CVs and let them know when we’ll be arriving – set up meetings / interviews if possible.

3) Move the contents of house into long term storage.

(Worst case scenario is that the house sale falls through after we’ve booked the plane tickets – if this happens we’ll clear the house and fly anyway – keeping the empty house on the market – hoping that it will sell while we’re away)

4) Fly to NZ. Me on visitors permit – with the intention of getting a job while I’m out there. The girlfriend is under 30 so we reckon a working holiday visa would be best for her. Is this the best option?

5) In NZ, hire a campervan for a month and travel round to see which area we might want to settle in (and having a bit of a holiday in the process). Attend interviews etc on our travels with the aim of securing permanent employment.

6) Once we’ve both got job offers we’ll then apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant category. How long will this take? If I get offered a job how long will it be before I can legally start work? Is it easy to make this application from within NZ?

7) We can then rent somewhere in the area we’ve chosen with a view to possibly buying in the long term and shipping the stuff over from the UK.

So, just a few more questions:-

a) At what point should we put in our EOI? Before we leave the UK or when we have job offers?

b) If I get a job and start work I guess I’m going to have to get some kind of permanent address first, (to set up tax, bank and employer details etc.) What address should I give when attending interviews, making job applications etc? (would an employer give a job to someone who lives in a camper van?)



So if you were in our position is this what you would do? Can anyone foresee any potential pitfalls.

Your comments on any of the above points are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[vixxann]

one point is that you would have to pay GST on your personal possessions once you get them shipped over as you wouldn't have entered country with a valid work permit at that time.

Otherwise I think your plan would work fine ;)

[Derv]

It sounds good. Another point to bear in mind is that you will have to book return flight tickets if you're coming in on a visitor's visa; you won't be allowed onto the plane unless you've got return tickets. You can always cancel the return half if you get a job in NZ and thus get PR once you're here.

[JandM]

Hello, and good luck with your plans.:)

[StevieD]

Welcome to the forum, I think you have a good plan, but like all plans, especially in situations as fluid as emigration, it can all come undone pretty quickly, you just don't know how things progress or pan out.

Just take each step as it comes, you can be prepared for most things but not every eventuality goes by the book, so keep an open mind on it and be flexible.

[peebles16]

one point is that you would have to pay GST on your personal possessions once you get them shipped over as you wouldn't have entered country with a valid work permit at that time.

Otherwise I think your plan would work fine ;)

Hello and welcome from us too :)
I'd agree with the above from Vicki seems that customs are much stricter at enforcing the GST ruling now and it applies to the visa you initially entered NZ on and doesn't matter if you convert to WTR or PR later as far as I understand. A few folks have been caught out with this one recently but if I'm wrong am sure someone will come along to correct me..:o

Karen

[dilanium]

Maybe apply for jobs online during the 2 months between selling your home and leaving?

Otherwise sounds good to me!

Good luck!

[victoria24]

Hi

This is my first post and i'd like to say that this forum seems to be used my real nice people!
Am i right in reading between the lines that you can just bowl over fom the UK and get a job while there?
I am a director of a financial services company and have UK professional qualifications (CEMAP) I also have a good idea for a business to relocate thats not in financial services although would prefer to gain employment for the first year/2 years or so. My qualifications and job descripion seems to fall between the cracks on the immigration site.
My wife is 1 year in to a 2 year hairdressing course so not sure whether she could continue this in NZ?
Sorry if ive hijacked this thread but i was intrigued by the original question as it appears that some people go to NZ first and then sort it out afterwards?
Kind regs all
Neil & Elaine (living in the nicest part of england and thats not enough for our kids)

[JandM]

Hello, and welcome to the forum.:)

You made me laugh with 'just bowl over from the UK', remembering the two of us packing for a 5 weeks' visit last year - ! Anyway...

You've got the right idea. Here's a link to a part of the NZ Immigration site which will give you a lead in to the regulations. I got to it by going to 'Visitors' from the home page, then 'Already in New Zealand?
You may be able to extend your stay, or even become a resident.'

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/visitors/becomingaresident/default.htm

If you read round all the links from there, it'll give you a picture of the options open to you.

Sorry, I don't know anything about hairdressing courses. Anyone?

[dusk]

Hi,

"can you just bowl over there and get a job when there?"
the answer is yes, but with some caveats as mentioned above - you'll need a return ticket, you'll pay duty for importing your goods when you do if you initially arrive on a visitors visa and you will have to try and source some documentation from the UK whilst in NZ if you decide to apply for residency (some of which you could gather beforehand, but not all) and the work will have to be full time and for a period of at least twelve months. there may be a few other things, but nothing that makes it impossible!

for some people it is a better way of doing things, others prefer to get their visas before they go, it's all a matter of working out what's the best plan for you!

[slider]

Hello and welcome :)
Good luck with your plans!

[Pebbles]

Don't want to rain on your party here but I think it is not as simple as "go to NZ and get a job". You will need a work permit and there are restrictions to getting such a permit and also an employer can't just offer a job to any foreigner (even if you can convince him that he wants to).
It is all explained on the INZ website. Also what paperwork you will need to bring with you.

Good luck with your plans though, you are definitely on the right track!

[victoria24]

Thanks for your encouraging responses!
I have sent an email through the immigration website to clarify how they view my profession.
Does anyone here know what category a director in financial services with cemap qualifications would be?
thanks again.
I have loads of questions to come so please bear with me!!

[dusk]

v24, had a quick look and found this:
UNIT GROUP 1322 FINANCE MANAGERS
FINANCE MANAGERS plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the financial and accounting activities within organisations.
Indicative Skill Level:
In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks Include:
determining, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating budgetary and accounting strategies, policies and plans in consultation with other Managers
providing financial information and interpreting the implications for business performance and funding needs
coordinating the development, implementation and monitoring of accounting systems
directing the preparation of financial reports summarising and forecasting the organisation's financial position such as income statements, balance sheets and analyses of future earnings and income
assessing capital finance proposals and the financial status of operational projects
advising on investment strategies, sources of funds and the distribution of earnings
delivering long range profit forecasts, budgeting and financial reporting
ensuring compliance with financial legislation and standards

Occupation:
132211 Finance Manager

132211 FINANCE MANAGER
Alternative Titles:
Chief Financial Officer
Finance Director
Financial Controller

Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the financial and accounting activities within an organisation.
Skill Level: 1


would that be the right sort of area?

if not use the search function on this page: ANZSCO (http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/1220.0Search02006?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=1220.0&issue=2006&num=&view=)

[victoria24]

its close but thats the problem, it leans toward accounting rather than financial advice/risk assessment. My qualifications are professional but i didnt go to university.
Can I just give them a bell?
cheers
neil

[dusk]

well you can but it's a pound a minute...

I suggest some time on the anzsco website using various search entries to see if you can find anything more appropriate first! :D As far as I read that it says 5 years experience counts for the same value as a degree, not that you musy have a degree (does that make sense?)

not sure I know of anyone on here in a similar role who might be able to advise, although there may well be someone!

[victoria24]

good news! I phoned them up (found a cheeky 01344 number to bypass the rip off fee) and was told that as long as I have returned flights booked (pay a deposit then cancel?) we can go for up to 9 months with an extension and sort the job out over there and apply in NZ. the lady I spoke to pretty much said that if your English with a decent job then its all good! I did find some close comps on the job skills and it appears that I'm a level 1 with max points.
the house is on the (depressed) market at a realistic price.. how easily we throw 20k away for our dream so its time to make a plan...

[JandM]

Sounds as if it's all systems 'go', then.:nice1

[Pebbles]

the lady I spoke to pretty much said that if your English with a decent job then its all good!

Wow! I hope sure that is not true ... :uhoh or am I being too sensitive here?

[victoria24]

i think reading between the lines pebbles that NZ has a shortage of skilled workers and that it needs to be addressed. They have 2 options.. take people in from east asia or british people. The INZ and employers there prefer the english and compared to other english speaking countries, NZ has the easiest entry system for us. I was quite amazed at how forthcoming the immigration lady was to be honest!

[Pebbles]

They have 2 options.. take people in from east asia or british people.

You have got to be joking! There's a few more options than that ...:confused:

[victoria24]

I would tend to agree with you. its not my opinion, just what friends with relatives living in NZ and their own immigration staff are saying!

[Pebbles]

Guess it is a small world for some :p