[yossarian]

hi all.

i knew this is coming. since i don't have a job offer, and personal contact in nz, i was expecting to be invited to apply for work to residence instead of given residency for my skilled migrant application. and now, i recently received email from nz beijing confirming my speculation.

i'm not totally sad at all because this is better than getting declined. however, i made the decision to move temporarily to united states for my current company's training/on-shore assignment which will last anything from 3-6 months. i just got in minnesota 6 days ago, and now i received an email saying i should apply for WTR within 3 months.

checking nz immigration site, since i'm outside nz, i could be given WTR (9-month work visa) that i have to use within 3 months.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/accepted/default.htm

in case i was given residency, i won't be in this situation because i was planning on delaying giving my passport, and even so, i'll have a full year visa expiration.

now, it is my deepest intent and desire to work and live in new zealand. i'm not just sure what to do now..i emailed my case officer about this and hope she'll come up with something.

i can't quit my current job easily as part of my assignment in the united states, i signed a contract to finish the on-shore assignment (3-6 mos), and stay within the company for further 3 mos...or i could pay them roughly about 9,000 USD, which is a lot of money!

just thought this is worth sharing as other might have input or been in a similar case.

thanks.
jeremy

[mesh2008]

oh :( so sorry Jeremy. Things are not going OK with me either. Hope your CO can help

[yossarian]

after three days, i still haven't heard from nz beijing. i hope they are thinking over about my case.

on the other hand, what she mentioned on her email is that i should apply WTR within three months after receiving the invite. what i'm not certain is the WTR process timeframe (ironically, i'm hoping it would take longer time), and how long is the maximum validity of a WTR after issued.

i'm really in a unusual case as i'm looking ways as much as i can to delay the process and validity of my WTR.

but to begin with, the confirmation paper mail i got from nz beijing last april mentioned that my expected decision date would be october 2008. if i have that much time, there won't be a problem with receving WTR invitation. it's only june now, which is four months earlier than expected! i know this is sick, i should be happy that things are going faster than expected, but i can't really move asap. :(

anyway, anybody knows how long is the maximum validity of a WTR visa after issued (i mean, how long can you delay entry)?

oh well, why don't they just give me residency instead? *wishful thinking*

[dusk]

sorry I don't have any answers for you,b ut hope you can get things sorted out :)

[benrus]

I fully understand where you are coming from. I myself would prefer getting a pr than wtr. It is not worth paying your company USD 9000 for leaving them abruptly. This huge amount will be useful when you go to New Zealand to search for work.
Just keep appealing your case with the officer to consider delaying the process of your WTR. Perhaps they'll understand.

[yossarian]

i emailed my case office again today, hope she'll have some arrangement for my case.
reviewing the WTR offer they sent me by email:

We have determined that you have demonstrated you can realise your potential to successfully settle in and contribute to New Zealand, and a decision on your application for residence has been deferred for a period of up to nine months. During that nine-month period you may be issued or granted a Work Visa or Work Permit to allow you to demonstrate the ability to settle in and contribute to New Zealand by establishing yourself in skilled employment in New Zealand.

For your application for a Work to Residence visa to be accepted, it must be received (together with all of the specified accompanying documents) within three months from the date of this letter.

if i understand it correctly i have to apply WTR within three months from the date of letter. but it also mentioned that my residency has been deferred for 9 months, and within that duration, i may be issued a work visa or work permit.

my question is, what's the difference between WTR and work visa/work permit? because it seems work visa/work permit has a 9-month expiration.

do i need to have WTR first before actually given a work visa/work permit?

thanks.

[Nienke]

Bit confusing email, but I think it means that you need to apply for WTR within 3 months from the date of the letter. I think (anyone correct me if I'm wrong) you will then be issued with a work permit when you start your job which will be valid for up to nine months, after which they will decide on your residency.

[IanW99]

This is how I understand your situation:-

You have applied for a PR but instead NZIS have decided to grant you a WTR intead (as you don't have a job offer).

If this is the case, then what they are saying is that you need to send in the WTR application and documents etc within 3 months from the date of the letter.

At that point they will issue you with a 9 month WTR visa, which will allow you to get to NZ and find yourself a job in skilled employment.

If you are successful, then you let NZIS know and show proof of course, and then they will grant you a PR.

For your question, when you arrive in NZ, you will be granted a permit that will match your visa type so because you have a WTR then you will be granted a work permit.

Ian