[globetrecker]

My husband and I are planning on getting an extended visa so we can get over to NZ and both find jobs. We are trying to filter through the pros and cons and are confused. My husband is in IT (web development) and many sites indicate you need to be physically in NZ to interview for a job and then get residency, otherwise most job offers are hokey and not legit. However, we also read that people said that NZ immigration is awful to immigrants and they make mistakes and cost you $$$ and stress, so make sure you get residency BEFORE moving to NZ otherwise it'll be a nightmare. Like most people, we'd prefer to come on an extended visa and indicate we are going to NZ to find jobs, because we need jobs to get enough points to get PR. Catch 22, wouldn't you say?

To all of you out there, what has been your experience?

[Ana&Steve]

My husband and I are planning on getting an extended visa so we can get over to NZ and both find jobs.
That's what we'll probably have to do when the time comes, and a lot of poeple have been very successful with that plan. we'd prefer to come on an extended visa and indicate we are going to NZ to find jobs,
If you are coming on a visitors visa, don't indicate that you are job hunting. Also, it might be better not to have a physical CV while traveling; store it electronically and print it in NZ.

[globetrecker]

Hello to another American moving to NZ!

We're planning on applying for an extended visitors visa (6-9 months) and on the application indicating that we need 6-9 months in order to get a job offer and subsequently residency. If we're open up front and get approved for an extended visa, I wonder if that will be fine for the immigration reps at the airport, etc.? How else could we do it? I've read that NZ immigration views it highly dishonest to come in on the regular 3 month tourist visa and then apply for PR. I've read that a lot, so that's the only reasoning behind getting an extended one.

What visa are you folks coming in on?

[BkyMonster]

We're planning on applying for an extended visitors visa (6-9 months) and on the application indicating that we need 6-9 months in order to get a job offer and subsequently residency.

I don't think there is any need to do this. As long as you have the 1000 NZD per person, per month I don't think they will ask too many questions. Alternately if you are under 35 you can try BUNAC and under 30 try a WHV. This will allow you to come on a 1 way ticket (as they are both 12 month visas) and find work and from there transition to a more permanent visa

If we're open up front and get approved for an extended visa, I wonder if that will be fine for the immigration reps at the airport, etc.? In my experience they didn't even check our tickets. We came in on a less than 3 month return ticket and asked for a 3 month visa and they said 'Sure!' and stamped it and that was all.
I've read that NZ immigration views it highly dishonest to come in on the regular 3 month tourist visa and then apply for PR. I've read that a lot, so that's the only reasoning behind getting an extended one.

I've never heard this. I think quite a lot of people do this actually. As long as you don't START working on your visitors visa (that is get a work visa to tide you over until your PR is approved) they really shouldn't care.

We had PR in the works and came in on a 3 month visitors. You can see our time line below

Edit:
However, we also read that people said that NZ immigration is awful to immigrants and they make mistakes and cost you $$$ and stress, so make sure you get residency BEFORE moving to NZ otherwise it'll be a nightmare.
I haven't found this to be the case at all. They are a bit poky and stodgy in some ways but not hostile.

[Angelonthemove]

We came on visitors visa got jobs within 2 weeks, very lucky OH IT, me sales.. Got work permits in one day and had already submitted EOI before we left. Now wish we had waited and had a local agent NZ immigrations to deal with as posting stuff to UK took time. Got PR see timeline below.

Yes it is easier if you have NZ address and email so they know you are here to stay as such. We lined up appointments with recruitment company just said we arrive this date and made times in both Auckland first then Welly. But I do know friends who found it harder to get jobs in IT and took 3 months so you can never tell.

Just be prepared to take a hit on salaries just to get started. Absolute IT has great salaries list on their website just google salaries Absolute IT and it should come up. When applying add salary requirements as they seem to think if you for example ask for $60k you must be experienced for $60k jobs and so on. If you put $60-70k they will tell employers you will take $60k so do not put a between this figure.

Hope this helps.

My OH just got laid off yesterday so will keep posting how well he fairs getting another IT contract. Before Xmas is not a good time plus we have the election next week.

[925dancer]

I'm going over on a BUNAC IEP visa to begin with. As far as I can make out, changing it to another longer term visa of some type should be relatively straight forward as I will be in the country, in a full-time permanent job.

As far as I can see, it shows a commitment to making New Zealand hoem if you are already there.

[skibumwa]

Actually that's not true ;)

If you come here on a visitor visa ONLY, NZ Customs (@ Auckland Airport) does not really care if you come here to look for work or have copies of your CV in your laptop bag. The only thing they care about is if you have outward travel tickets pre-booked and your intention is to leave NZ before your visitor visa expires. If you get a job offer, then you are more than welcome to apply for a work permit with the nearest NZIS office.

eg. My personal experience: I first came here on a reccy trip (I then was on a standard 3 month visitor visa with my US Passport). I told the NZ Customs at Auckland Airport that I "was here on an job interviewing trip, then I had to head back to Seattle to apply for a work visa via their Los Angeles NZ Consulate office. I then showed him my return ticket back to Seattle". The NZ Customs officer gave me back my passport and said "good luck John...Cheers!". :nice1

So I flew back to Seattle, sorted/got my work visa, then moved to NZ on my 30-mth WTR visa. Then after 3 months of living in Welly, I applied for PR in late October 2007 and was approved for PR in early January this year. :D I am happy how it all worked out.

Just an FYI, you get more points on your EOI if you are working and living in NZ at the time you apply for PR. You get even MORE bonus points if you live/work outside of Auckland too.

Good luck to you,
John

PS. Getting PR without a job offer from overseas (not in NZ) I am told is far more challenging indeed. :uhoh





If you are coming on a visitors visa, don't indicate that you are job hunting. Also, it might be better not to have a physical CV while traveling; store it electronically and print it in NZ.

[Brian]

I came in 6 weeks ago with a 3 month return ticket and was given a visitor's visa with zero hassle. I walked through customs with a folder full of paycheck stubbs, and two 30kg cases of clothes, toiletries and kitchen gear. The only questions they had for me were whether I had any food and whether I had any dirty camping gear. I gave them a couple of pairs of shoes to clean and went right through. I was not asked about finances or for any other information or documentation.

Their main concern seems to be biological hazards - the ecosystem is fragile and agriculture is a huge part of the economy so they don't want pests or aggressive weeds to get in. The only potential problem I could imagine is if you're in a situation where you need a visa in advance (from a country where it isn't automatic, or you have no return or one beyond the automatic visitor's visa length)

Don't volunteer extra information, but at the same time don't worry about answering truthfully if they ask. You're there on a visitor's visa and hope to switch it over while you're there. If you don't find a job you'll go home or go through the proper channels to get an extension. That's it.

[elleann]

Skibumwa, what is the difference between a WTR visa and an ordinary work permit/visa? Any reason to choose/apply for one over the other?

[elleann]

Brian, you came in with TWO 30kg cases?!!? Which airline did you fly with?

All the itineraries I have looked at seem to end with a NZ Air flight from Australia to Welly, and from what I can see, NZ flights only allow you ONE 20kg checked bag per person ...

[skibumwa]

Work To Residence visa - establishes your intention to apply for residency afterwards, is 30 months long and you bypass some requirements of job experience, etc towards your actions PR application.. This 30 month length work visa/permit also makes you eligible for the NZ public health system as well (just as PR people and citizens can use).

Standard Work Permits - are time limited and you must leave at the end of your permit OR apply to get an extension or apply as any NZ outsider would have to for PR. The normal length for a work permit/visa is 1 year.

If your eventual plan to us is to stay here permanently and/or you want to get on the taxpayer funded public medical system then apply for a WTR visa. The requirements to qualify for a WTR visa are closer to that of PR, so this is why it's harder to get a WTR visa vs. a standard 1 year work visa.

Cheers

Skibumwa, what is the difference between a WTR visa and an ordinary work permit/visa? Any reason to choose/apply for one over the other?

[kenfrapin]

Please note that for both permit types, you do need a job in hand first and only then will you actually have that 'option' available to you.
Regarding Visitor's visa route then yes many people do take this option. But the risk of the job not going through once you are there may make one feel a bit weary. If you do go on a Visitor's visa, ensure you have the actual offer letter in your hand as that would make you feel a lot more at ease when you pack up and fly out. Some accredited employers prefer doing the permit application once you are in NZ as it is much more quicker and more often than not, the company has its consultants to make the paper work quicker and hassle free for everyone involved.

Ensure you persuade for a WTR rather than a Work Permit only....all the best to you!!
:cheers
Ken

[BkyMonster]

Going through the US you can have 2 23kg pieces of luggage, which for an extra fee can easily be 30kg.

[Brian]

Brian, you came in with TWO 30kg cases?!!? Which airline did you fly with?

All the itineraries I have looked at seem to end with a NZ Air flight from Australia to Welly, and from what I can see, NZ flights only allow you ONE 20kg checked bag per person ...

Coming from the US we get two checked bags and the requirements automatically carry over to the local connecting flights. I actually checked in on an Alaska Air flight from Seattle to Los Angeles and they had no problem checking the two heavy cases. They didn't blink when I checked them back in again going from Auckland to Wellington either. Quantas, unlike the other airlines I checked, allows 32kg per checked bag. Be sure to check the websites of each airline you look at - the rules and excess fees all vary a bit.

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/baggageChecked

[DMcG]

I came into NZ with a work permit (IT) and A PR (de-facto) application in processing in the UK. I got a job fairly quickly as a DBA and while I was doing that, had my case transferred from UK to NZ.
IIRC my PR came through in around two or three months.

Dougie