[SoCal Gal]

Well, I just heard that we will not be invited to apply at this time, and I'd really like some feedback if possible. I had 100 points with no job offer.
After being "Selected" on Sept. 1, I never heard another thing, until I contacted London, finally, at the end of January. At that time I was told that we needed to have our education qualifications accessed. I have a degree in graphic communications from an accredited art college here in the U.S. I have worked in this field for over 10 years. My husband has a certificate as a certified nursing assistant, was registered in the state of Arizona, worked at a hospital, etc. I was given 6 points for my qualifications. My husband was given 4 points for his, but we were told this morning that because it is not an acceptable trade, he would need 5 points to qualify. So, we are screwed. I cannot understand any of this. I see people on this forum just 'sailing through' the process - forgive me, I am very, very upset - and yet, we were raked over with a fine tooth comb before we even got started really!! I'm crying my eyes out. My husband is in Hawaii now, looking for a place for us to rent so that our old yorkies wouldn't have to go through quarantine. I am beyond heartsick....
Does any one have any suggestions at all?????
Signed, very sad SoCal Gal

[Danpoll]

Cosmiserations it must be sickning feeling, there is always the work to residence routes, work permits. If you could find that golden employer to get those extra 50 pts.

though i doubt what any of us will say to you will be of any comfort

boo to nzis

Dan

[MB]

SoCal,

Firstly: you'll get there.

Secondly, I'm guessing that part of your 100 points claim on EOI was for husband's qual (right?) which NZQA are now querying on the grounds of it being a certificate in nursing assistant-ship (rather than, say, an 'indisputable' BSN in Nursing)?

Have I got that right? They've given you the nod but they're leery of your husband's qual because you're claiming points for it?

Sorry I don't have time right now to research, but what I'm really puzzled about is why they're so keen on finding out about his WORK HISTORY if he's not principal applicant? I thought that even NZQA only focuses on deciding whether the QUALIFICATION is acceptable. (That is, surely non-prinicpals only have to provide to NZIS their degree certificate, or whatever, to get the EOI ten points for spouse qualification.)

We're thinking about you lots,
Matt and family.

[SoCal Gal]

Thanks, guys, for the messages....and this is exactly what I need answered by my case worked in London, and by the rep in L.A.....I did not claim for my husband!! I just put down that's what he did for the education and work background! I should have 100 points without him, but since he is on my app., he can't just 'ride along'! This is so confusing, and so upsetting, and I have to see my husband in Hawaii tomorrow and tell him something....I am sick.

[Iain]

I should have 100 points without him, but since he is on my app., he can't just 'ride along'!

If you haven't claimed any points for him, I'd have thought he can "just ride along". If you are the principal applicant, it doesn't matter what his experience or qualifications are. I'd check your points again to make sure this is why you're being rejected, it doesn't sound right to me.

[T-and-L-PDX]

First, good on you for doing the Hawaii thing for your old Yorkies. We have two old Cairns and will be doing the exact same thing.

Second, it does seem odd the spouse is being dragged into this when no points are claimed. Since jobs are likely to be had in these fields, maybe the first step is to get to Hawaii, get the clock ticking on the Yorkies, and a few months in start the job search. That is if you haven't resolved this beforehand. Job searching from Hawaii seems like it might be slightly easier than AZ or even LA.

You'll get there. Keep fighting for it. It's worth it. And keep everyone posted.

[markkellaway]

This doesn't sound right to me either. We haven't claimed any points for Anne and have had no problems at all. I would get them to clarify exactly which section has been affected.

Good luck, I'm sure you will get there! :nice1

Mark. :P

[SoCal Gal]

Thanks, everyone, for the well wishes. You know, this is so crazy, I know in my heart there is a math error somewhere, and I honestly don't believe it is on our part. I have checked and rechecked, and now I am going to take even a finer tooth comb to the whole thing. I got a lovely phone call from a dear friend in NZ this a.m. asking me what could she do....so sweet. We'll get there, case officers be danged!!
Aloha, and hopefully next week I'll have something positive to report.
Thanks again, great forum people!
:cool

[Mike & Nicola]

Absolutely gutted for you!!!! And it seems a completely bizarre decison. I'd really fight this case, because at worst your case officer will appreciate how much you want this move to NZ. Nic doesnt have a degree, and didnt generate any points for us, and the only question our case officer asked was what she planned on doing in NZ when we're there. Personally, I'd have thought that NZIS would have viewed your case more positively, because your application doesnt rely on points from your partner to qualify (if you understand what I mean??).

Keep fighting and best of luck, hope the dogs enjoy and appreciate the scenery.

Mike

[Diny]

I'm afraid I don't understand it all but it certainly sounds like you need to appeal against this decision.

I hope all goes well for you .... all I can say is don't give up, tenacity will win in the end.

Diny

[SoCal Gal]

Thanks for your supportive words, we are definitely going to fight the good fight! I've gotten a real boost from the positive vibes from everyone already this morning. And as far as the doggies go, they don't know how good they're gonna have it, lucky things ;-)
Thanks again.
:cool

[Danpoll]

with my permanet res under the SMC its my quals that were assesd my employer, my work exp, my age, etc The wife as calous as it sounds was just the tag along housewife.

youre not dealing with chris in london are you?

It sounds like there talkin ...

Dan

[SoCal Gal]

No, not Chris...I don't want to mention his name, but I really get the feeling he DOESN'T want us to pass.....have no idea what his game is.....

[StevieD]

Sorry to hear this SoCal! Don't like the sound of this guy in London either..... :?

Don't give up - stick at it, it sounds like there is a c**k up somewhere along the line.

And my 2 Yorkies are thinking of yours too - tell them they are keeping their paws crossed for them :) :laugh

Good luck

Steve + co....

[SoCal Gal]

Thanks, Steve & Co....love the power of the Yorkies, they might just be the key! Feeling a bit better all ready. I'm determined to figure this out!
:cool

[Graham Barnes]

Er...what's going on?? Seems a bit fishy.
For what it's worth, from our own experience, I must agree with the previous posters. We got accepted when the points were 180+ :eek (does anyone remember those days!!), and my wife's qualifications were borderline. Just made 180 for me, we hoped 190 with hers. The NZIS contact we spoke to in London said her situation was irrelevant if we made the points based on my details. And phoned back twice to check her story from two other colleagues.
If the principal applicant makes the grade without ANY reference to their partner's work/quals/experience, then what they do is irrelevant.

Good luck.

[MB]

SoCal,

In your effort to chase all your paperwork, I thought the following bits and pieces may help (in that you can refer to them without having to do much work you could spend on other stuff, or they might at least spark some good thoughts of your own).

So - if ANY of this helps as ammo:

1.) Maybe it'll come to you scraping togther every spare bit of your own work experience to get more points. If so, part of SM11.10 (December '04 version) states the following. Note that you only have to satisfy one of the criteria:

"Work experience is recognised and qualifies for points if:

it is relevant to the principal applicant's* current skilled employment in New Zealand or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand; or
a visa or immigration officer is satisfied that it is skilled work experience because it required, or enabled the principal applicant* to gain, considerable specialist, technical or management expertise; or
it is relevant to the principal applicant's* recognised qualification (see SM14).
Principal applicants who do not have current skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand (see SM7) will only qualify for points for work experience if:
the work experience meets the requirements for recognition set out above; and
that work experience was gained in a labour market that is comparable to the New Zealand labour market."

See http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/6932.htm for even more detail. And note that -- I think in an effort to relax their criteria slightly -- they changed the pre-December word "significant" to "considerable" in the 'gaining-specilaist-or-technical-expertise' criterion in the above quote.

2.) I'm sure that one of the immi. companies' newsletters said that case officers are to take the list of acceptable trades as a guide, and not as an ultimate black-and-white list. Check this angle out if you have to or if it's relevant. Maybe something in it.

3.) I was going to refer you to my new "Partner Quals" thread, but I know you've already seen it.

I'll write again if I think of any more,
Matt.

[MB]

And anyone else got any ammo, based on conversations or experiences or whatever, that might help SoCal Gal find a new angle if needs be?
But we're probabaly all combing our brains already.
:nice1
Cheers,
Matt.

[Annierobrigado]

now i'm worried. we're still selected, no word yet if we're to be decision successful, and part of my worry is we don't have NZQA. we hoped it isn't necessary coz it will entail another cost to us, and we 're not really claiming points for being doctors anyway, because we can't practice as doctors (well not yet anyway) in nz, until we get registered.

socal i am crying with you, hopefully the tranquil beaches of hawaii will soothe your soul before commencing your fight to prove your worth to migrate to nz!

:cheers
annie

[mechidna]

OMG, I hope things turn themselves around. This is so terrible! I still haven't even submitted my EOI and I'm nervous.

Good luck and go get 'em!

Michele

[sarahw]

Well this all sounds mighty strange to me too! SoCalGal - we got in no problem & I was on the application (as the partner of the main applicant) and I didn't claim any points. However, we did think we had 160 points but they took 50 points off us because Ian's qualification - although a recognised qualification was not in a recognised subject and we would have to have it certified by NZQA.

The only thing I can think of if you appeal and it gets pushed back at you is for you to get a job offer in NZ - that's what boosted our points - otherwise we'd not have been able to come. Its still possible - good luck and don't give up! :nice1

[toesonthenose]

If there is a silver lining SoCal, it is that you will be in Hawaii. 75-80 degrees and sunny here in the depths of winter. Not a bad place to straighten out the situation. And at least you have entered Polynesia, and legend tells us that the god Maui dreated the Hawaiian Islands, as well as Aotearoa! Home of the great Hawaiian and Maori peoples!
Hawaii no ka oi, Shaun

[heimatseeker]

Just chiming in to confirm what everyone else has said: We also applied together, but was was just tagging along. My degree is from Germany, so getting it qualified by the NZQA would have been a major hassle, not to mention the cost for translation etc. So, even though I work for a cluster company and have lots of relevant experience, I was just tagging along, and we didn't even mention any of my qualifications or work history. Not so great for the ego, but speeds up the process a lot. You should be able to do the same and have your husband just come along as your spouse as far as NZIS is concerned.

It's a rather silly system - you'd they'd *like* to get 2 skilled people rather than one, but no...

Best of luck, you *will* get through this! :hopeso

sibylle

[Moorf]

In the booklet accompanying the ITA there is a section titled "Error and Review" - the content of which is as follows:

If your residence application is declined and you believe that the NZIS made an error when assessing your application, you may ask the NZIS to complete a review of its decision. Examples of errors could include:

* The NZIS considered your application against incorrect policy
* The NZIS incorrectly added the points awarded to you
* The NZIS failed to ask you for comment on an issue prejudicial to your application

A request for a review should only be made where you are able to identify a specific error.

However, it is important to note that:
Requests for a review will not be considered if made on the basis that you disagree with either the methods used to arrive at a decision on your application, or with the decision made on your application.

Hope this is of some help.

Moorf

[Annierobrigado]

In the booklet accompanying the ITA there is a section titled "Error and Review" - the content of which is as follows:

If your residence application is declined and you believe that the NZIS made an error when assessing your application, you may ask the NZIS to complete a review of its decision. Examples of errors could include:

* The NZIS considered your application against incorrect policy
* The NZIS incorrectly added the points awarded to you
* The NZIS failed to ask you for comment on an issue prejudicial to your application

A request for a review should only be made where you are able to identify a specific error.

However, it is important to note that:
Requests for a review will not be considered if made on the basis that you disagree with either the methods used to arrive at a decision on your application, or with the decision made on your application.

Hope this is of some help.

Moorf

helen-
how will we know if the nzis made the error?

Annie

[Moorf]

Good point Annie - I assume that when they decline you they tell you why.. you could then check your application against their reasoning and ascertain whether or not they have made an error - other than that, I have no idea! :no I just copied the info word for word straight from the ITA booklet.

[MB]

Annie and Helen - their whole Operations Manual, as you know, is online. So you can also check the text forming their reasoning against your own rationale (for including some information or whatever).

Indeed, I suspect that more than one of us has called them and had them actually leaf through this in order to answer a query. In a way it's nice that it's all online: we know where we stand and can even anticipate any potential clashes.

Matt.

[jesselyn]

socal gal,

dont give up! :angel

hugs,
jes

[richsadams]

Hi Allison

I'm soooo sorry to hear your story :no ...just read it this A.M. I know how hard you worked toward making this happen and all I can say is don't give up!

Others are right, if you can get your qualifications approved, you should be able to make it happen. Also, if either of you can get a job offer, you'll be accepted. NZ's unemployment rate is the lowest its ever been right now (second only to S. Korea for lowest in the world!) and with your hubby's experience in health care...you guys should be able to make it.

I know you've done all of this on your own, but it may now be time to ask a professional for help. An immigration specialist could make it happen for you. Between their knowledge, their contacts and some being able to get you offers of employment, it might be the way to go. It's not inexpensive, but it's something to consider and could be money well-spent.

And I know your plans are to move to Hawaii, but you may want to consider skipping that bit, save the money (it's very expensive not only to move there, but live there...trust me I did it and it costs a lot more than you imagine!). Use those $$$ for a specialist or an employment agency OR fly to NZ and find a job! Your puppies will be absolutely fine at the wonderful quarantine facility in Auckland...again we speak from experience. These are hard decisions, but if you really want it, it may be time to bite the bullet...and I mean that in the best way! :yes

In any case, we're pulling for you. Hang in there and keep the faith! :nice1

[Annierobrigado]

hello

thanks for the info. Am getting kinda antsy that we haven't any change in our status, altho i should be glad we're still selected. i guess like jesselyn, i need more patience.

i could pop over to nz on a tourist visa, but the consuls at the nz embassy here in manila are sooo strict and unfriendly (to say it nicely), and to think they're filipinos! aaargh! It's so hard to get visas, they think all filipinos won't come back anymore (if i were a consul, i wouldnt mind if they did or didnt, but they should send me a note that says they;ve found gainful employment!)

oh well, thanks for all your posts, they do bolster me up a bit!

:cheers
annie

[catjlin]

So Cal Girl,
Soooo sorry to hear about your status. I'm afraid we're about to be in the same boat as our case officer told me that they might not be able to consider all of my work relevant. Ugh!

Our plan B is to apply for a working holiday visa which is good for a year so that we can just get down there and then reapply for residency with a job offer. Would that work for you?

Cat

[MB]

Cat,

I'm so delighted for you that you have a plan B. How nice just in case the EOI doesn't work out. As always, though, if there's anything the forum can do to put its heads together and brainstorm on your behalf, then by all means continue to share your ongoing EOI situation with us. :nice1

One aspect of all this (re. you and SoCal) intrigues me: how come you guys have case officers already? Is it because (kinda nice if so, in a way) they attribute a case officer if an EOI is a bit difficult so that they can do you justice before making any decision on it?

Cheers,
Matt.

[catjlin]

Matt,
I'm not really sure, it may just be because in both of our cases, our EOI's were 'lost in the void' and not processed when they were supposed to have been. Both of our 'slipped through the cracks' of the NZIS system until we brought it to their attention.

Or, maybe, they just really like us :mrgreen:
Cat

[MB]

Cat,
LOL! Probably the latter, dontcha think?
And sorry if I sounded nosey. It's just that all we all seem to hear is that no-job EOIs and ITAs don't get officers until a way-advanced stage usually.

Matt.

[catjlin]

Not nosey at all. Understandably everyone is trying to find out as much about the process as possible.
We're wringing our hands at the state of our EOI right now. Flights are already booked (6 June, whoohoo!) for us and the dogs. Have a possible buyer for the house. Starting to pack. Hopefully everything works out for all of us on the forum. :hopeso
Cat

[Mike & Nicola]

Matt, we were allocated a case officer before we got out ITA because she called to ask for copies of my IT certificates before issuing the ITA. Once she recieved them, we had the ITA the next day, with all her details on. We didnt/dont have a job offer, but PR has since been approved now.

Mike

[RoadRunner]

Allison,
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation! :(
I think Rich is right - there are other ways to go and perhaps one of those will work out.

Hang in there and best of luck! I'm pulling for you!
RoadRunner