[JeremyD]

Hi All,
I would like to pick your brains and find out if there is such a thing as a "general" work permit.

EG: One does not go the skilled migrant route (not enough points without job offer) but does not realy want to just arrive in NZ and find work. Is there a work visa or permit that one can get before they arrive in NZ to give them the right to work in NZ??

All responses welcome.

Thanks
Jeremy

[Tentun]

I might stand corrected, but I think you have to have a job offer to have a work permit. so you can't get a work permit without an offer of employment.

There is the work to residence category but again, I think you have to have a job or at least have gone through the skilled migrant route before you can get work to residence.

Like I said, perhaps someone more knowledgeable will come along with some definite answers.

[JandM]

Afraid not. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/

I think the only possibility of going into NZ with a work visa without a job offer is to be going in with a spouse/partner who has qualified for WTR or PR.

[dilanium]

In Order to get an open work permit your application must be supported by a partner who has PR, a work visa, or certain student visas.

Depending on your age you may want to look into the Working Holiday Visa.

[Leccy-Lee]

Yes if Under 30 the Working Holiday Visa would do as you need, if your 30-35 and come from a handful of certain countries (US,UK Canada and few others) the the IEP visa would also do what you need, its what i used.

[JeremyD]

Thanks for all the responses, that is what I thought all along..