[ExitStageSouth]

First post, so I guess I should say a little about myself before asking any stupid questions. I'm a Brit with roots in West Wales in my mid-30s (when does 'late' start anyway?). I've considered emigration a few times in my life and looked at Canada, Australia and NZ at various times, but have always ended up backing away from even starting the process due to career issues, financial concerns and the lengths of time involved. In short, I've pretty much spent a decade of my life living in places I have no love for, thinking that everything could change any minute and therefore it's "risky" to commit to any process of change under my own steam.

Recently, with the job concerns we all have at the moment, I had reason to think about what I could do if it all imploded. With no prospects of work nearer my family, I realised that I could either continue to haunt the dessicated ruins of the London commuter belt or look to experience somewhere new. It caused me to take another look at my chances of success with the immigration points systems, my career options, my finances... and also a long look in the mirror.

And so, no ifs or buts or second-guessing, I'm going to at least roll the dice and see if NZ will have me -- which brings me from my navel-gazing opening to a rather prosaic question:

I have over 10 years of experience, but the first three are with a company that went bust. What's the deal with claiming relevant work experience with a company that no longer trades? Will a personal letter from a former boss/owner count?

[BkyMonster]

My OH worked for a company that went bankrupt. We were lucky enough to (actually he was meticulous enough) still have the physical pay stubs. I've heard of other people getting tax documentation, or a letter as you mention with success. We also put a note in our ITA cover letter stating that the company was no longer extant and that getting more information could prove difficult. It is a fairly common thing, so provide what you can and explain yourself when it comes time to prove work experience and you should be fine. :)

[JandM]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. :)

[Parsley]

Hello and welcome!

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

My work experience was in the States, but I'm in somewhat of a similiar situation - I claimed points for my work as a writer for a music magazine in Brooklyn that has since vanished from the face of the earth (as is common in the publishing industry, unfortunately). Tax stubs would probably be the best way of solving this issue, but I don't think I can get my hands on them, so I'll probably end up just having to forfeit the points. But, provided the work you did was paid, you should be able to get them back from HMRC and NZIS will likely accept them as proof.

Of course, if you ARE able to get a letter of reference, that would probably be just as good. :yes

[Elainep]

I echo Badlydrawngirl's comment re the HMRC, give your local tax office a call for the address to write to for proof of employment (it might differ between tax offices). I wrote off for mine (they don't accept tel requests) and got it back about 3 weeks later (all 34 pages of it - it went back to my first Saturday job in 1984!)
Also, I provided copies of old performance reviews to 'prove' my past employment. Pay slips and old P45's/P60's might help. Also if you have a copy work contracts/offers of employments. Good luck:nice1

[Pebbles]

God, I'm slow today .... only now do I get the title of your post :roll
Oh and welcome to the forum!

[tea drinker]

Hello and welcome from me too :)

[ExitStageSouth]

Thanks for all your answers. I think I have some payslips and the offer letter/contract of employment somewhere, and the tax office suggestion should see me good the rest of the way.

Okay, next stupid question: the identity section asks for my birth certificate number...what is that exactly on a UK birth certificate? Mine has an NHS number on it, but nothing else. Or do they mean the mysterious GRO numbers that I apparently have to pay for or take a trip to one of the main registry offices to get?

Oh, and I've realised that I need to update my driving licence, both to change the address and to get one of the new-fangled photo versions. Does anyone know if the number stays constant, or will I have to delay putting the EOI in until I get the new one back.

Who knew that just proving that I'm me was such a task in itself?

[Achavar]

Hi,
you keep your driver number for life

[clairelouise]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
AFAIK the birth cert number is on the top left or right corner of the birth certificate. Or at least mine was. :D

[Elainep]

GRO stands for General Registry Office. Sorry didn't have to give a number from my birth certificate on my application (WTR) - just included a copy of it, but I would have thought they are after the certificate number (may appear as 'registration' number?) I'm sure someone with a bit more knowledge than me will answer soon:nice1

[ExitStageSouth]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
AFAIK the birth cert number is on the top left or right corner of the birth certificate. Or at least mine was. :D

The NHS number is in the top left of mine, so I assume that's it. Is this even checked at the EOI stage anyway? I would have thought it was left until you actually send the thing in following the ITA.

[clairelouise]

Maybe it depends on what type of visa you are applying for. We were going down the PR skilled migrant route and when we filled in the EOI the Birth cert numbers HAD to be filled in, as otherwise the EOI checklist pointed out it was incomplete.

We've just moved house so things are REALLY chaotic, and I can't find my birth cert right now :uhoh but I have got DD's.
Her number is on the top right crner and starts with the letters BAC, if thats any help.
When you send in your ITA they are checking that the info you provided in the EOI is correct by sending in the actual or copy of the certificate, so I'd say Yes it has to be included.

Hope this helps! :D

[ExitStageSouth]

The NHS "number" on mine starts with BRB, so at least it seems a similar scheme. I'm not lying, so I'll assume that they can ask for whatever else they want if I'm wrong.

Great forum community, by the way. Thanks to all.

[BkyMonster]

You can enter a number now and then correct it if you find out you put the wrong one in when you receive your ITA.

[ExitStageSouth]

The form is finally complete, but one more question that I'd like some reassurance about before I submit:

The section on family is a bit confusing. I have no dependents or partner to include, and the link explaining what "family" means states that this is what they mean, but there are several mentions of parents and siblings. Am I meant to list them even if they form no part of my immigration request?

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

I listed everyone that would be classified as an "immediate" relative, including inlaws. So my parents, my partner, my mother- and father-in-law, and my brother- and sister-in-law. You could probably exclude your inlaws, we just included them in case they someday want to emigrate. :)

[ExitStageSouth]

Well, parents and sister added just in case, payment made, EOI submitted.

...taps fingers...

...looks at prices of half acre sections...

[clairelouise]

Ooooooh it's all done? How exciting!!! And now....

..... you wait. :exit

Good luck!