[globetrecker]

Just curious: I plan on being the principle applicant on the EOI, etc. (because my husband will not qualify since he plans on contracting from the USA once we get PR, I have to work for at least 3 months to get us final PR). Our plan is to have me get a job, submit our EOI, get accepted, then apply for PR--work for 3-6 months and quit my job to start having children and be a stay at home mother. The only thing that will mess up this plan is if they offer me a WTR and not PR, because doesn't that mean I will have to work for 2 yrs and then apply for PR? I don't want to do that, though, because we want to start having children as soon as we get PR. 2 yrs is too long for us to wait!

What are the conditions where they give you WTR instead of PR? Why would they offer WTR instead of PR sometimes?

[Kalla]

Hi

I think if you have a job offer before you do your EOI, then you will almost definitely be offered a PR instead of WTR unless they don't think your employment is sustainable. Loads of people on this forum have had job offers and have been given PR straight away. Perhaps they can give you some advice about this! I think as long as your salary will be above (is it $55K?) and is sustainable (ie not contract, temp etc) and probably related to your qualifications - you will probably be ok.

If you don't have a job offer well, I've done some research into this myself because we are also counting on PR. If we get WTR it will mess up our plans since OH wants to remain in his current employment for another year before going to NZ and selling the house will take about a year (maybe more than that) in this current financial climate.

so . . I think when you get offered WTR you get 3 months to apply for the visa and then an additional 3 months to be in NZ. So this is what really worries us as we will not be able to pack up our lives here in 3 months!! Too soon!!

From what I've heard lately, the visas that are offered for WTR are valid for 9 months. You have to find a job within those 9 months and then you have to be in your job for at least 3 months before being able to be re-assessed for PR. So I guess once you've found a job, work for 3 months and then apply straight away for PR. maybe wait til you've done up to date medicals before getting pregnant so that the issue doesn't come up at all.

I don't know how falling pregnant will affect your application.
I'm sure they can't be prejudiced about you getting pregnant during the application process however, it might be safer to wait until you have PR as they might worry about your ability to financially support your family if you're on maternity leave (seen as you will be the main applicant).

I think when you have your interview you are more likely to be offered WTR if they don't think you will settle well in NZ and I think factors which count towards this decision are things like

1) how easily you will find a job
2) how much support (family & friends) you have over there
3) how much you are prepared for the move (ie how much research you've done and if you know what things will cost/what kind of salary you will get etc).

so do lots of research and hopefully you'll get PR - that's what we're trying to do now. Research, research, research!!!

Good luck! Hope it works out for you!

[JandL]

I would suggest you have a read of this:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21087&highlight=pr-wtr

The WTR you get when you apply for PR is different then the WTR you get if you just apply for that, I like to call it the PR->WTR. After numerous discussions the FAQ was made.

Can you make more then 100 points without a job offer? It takes a bit longer, but you are not limited to a job for x months when you arrive.

[IanW99]

...
I think as long as your salary will be above (is it $55K?) and is sustainable (ie not contract, temp etc) and probably related to your qualifications - you will probably be ok.
...
maybe wait til you've done up to date medicals before getting pregnant so that the issue doesn't come up at all.
...


The NZ$55K rule is for a standard WTR application, not sure if there is a similar rule for the PR-WTR route but as there isn't for PR then I would guess that there isn't? (would of course be worth checking for anyone in this situation). As you say though, as the OP is expecting to get a job before applying then this won't be a possibility anyway.

As medicals will already have been supplied for the PR, there will be no need to provide updated ones for the same application.

One minor point, when you get a PR with a job offer they normally attach a section 18A condition to it and this normally means that you must remain in the job for at least 3 months before it can be removed. However, NZIS can impose other conditions if they choose. If they did do this then you would have to meet these conditions (never heard of this actually happening via the forum but it is a possibility).

Ian

[IanW99]

...
Can you make more then 100 points without a job offer? It takes a bit longer, but you are not limited to a job for x months when you arrive.

When you are issued a PR via the skilled migrant category it is on the understanding that you take up skilled employment, if it can be shown that you didn't actually intend to do this then you would be in violation of your application and it could potentially be revoked.

I've no idea if this has actually happened to anyone, or even if they would bother to check but it's best IMO that you are aware of this.

Getting a job, working until pregnant and then quitting would seem the more appropriate approach.

Ian

[globetrecker]

Thank you to all, this was helpful! I think we'll go the suggested route from the info above.

One of the many things I like about this forum is that we all get information AND validation so we don't go astray and make costly mistakes.

[JandL]

I finally got around to asking INZ about this, here was my answer:

Dear James

Thank you for taking advantage of our Online Help facility.

Because you do not have a section 18a attached to your visa , you can set up a business or do manual work in New Zealand.

Kind Regards,

xxxx
Customer Service Officer
Department of Labour

-------
Along with Ian, I think its best that you know it may be in violation if its completly obvious (ie you move over and startup a business with 2million investment). I asked on the idea that what happens if I cannot find a skilled job, can I do non-skilled or start a new business.



When you are issued a PR via the skilled migrant category it is on the understanding that you take up skilled employment, if it can be shown that you didn't actually intend to do this then you would be in violation of your application and it could potentially be revoked.

I've no idea if this has actually happened to anyone, or even if they would bother to check but it's best IMO that you are aware of this.

Getting a job, working until pregnant and then quitting would seem the more appropriate approach.

Ian

[JandL]

Just to reconfirm, I asked again directly about starting a business :)

Dear James

Thank you for taking advantage of our Online Help facility.

If you have been granted Permanent Residence, and it states that you must meet section 18A conditions, these must be met before you establish a business.

Other than that, if section 18A has not been imposed, and you have been granted Permanent Residence, then as a resident, you are able to set up a business.

Kind Regards,

xxxx
Customer Service Officer
Department of Labour