[akp713b]

I just submitted my EOI last week, 155 points with a job offer. I've lived in NZ since 2006 on a student and then work visa but now that I have a skilled job offer I want to get PR. My problem is that I had the full medical done for my most recent work visa back on 3 March. I had an awful experience because my vein collapsed after the blood test and it took a full month to regain full use of my left arm. It was one of the most painful and debilitating experiences of my life, my arm was swollen from top to bottom. I've been told my veins are simply vulnerable to collapse and I should avoid blood tests if at all possible.

For that reason and the cost of having to do a medical all over again I need to submit my ITA before 3/6/09 because my medical is only good for three months. Since I already know my medical was fine in March I'd hate to have to do it again.

The next selection point for the EOI is 22/4, and I had thought that I'd simply get the ITA shortly thereafter, but now I notice that some people didn't recieve the ITA until a month after being selected. What was the cause of the gap? I'm not clear on what the difference between the EOI being selected and a decision being succesful is.

Once I recieve the ITA I will already have the medical and criminal background checks done as well as letters from my employer verifying my positon, I start work on 27 April as a high school teacher. I also have all the documentation of my NZ earned degree from Auckland Uni and my American Bachelor's degree. Can anyone tell me what other documentation I may need to have ready so that I can immediately send in my application once I recieve the ITA?

[BkyMonster]

With a job offer it should be faster. Without a job offer one can expect delays of up to 3-4 months from selection to ITA, if that. Other than that I'd say it depends on the issuing offices, NZ offices are thought to be a bit slower than the London office.
EOI to Decision successful is matter of them checking out your claims and deciding they are plausible.
I think that if you have a full medical on file it's good for longer (24 months) than if you are submitting a new application but not entirely clear on how and when this is applicable. This may be something to clarify with NZIS or search the official site.

Other information you would need to have handy is anything that you claimed on the EOI, past work experience etc. They will want originals or certified copies of everything including your full employment contract.

[welsh_italian]

With a job offer it should be faster. Without a job offer one can expect delays of up to 3-4 months from selection to ITA, if that. Other than that I'd say it depends on the issuing offices, NZ offices are thought to be a bit slower than the London office.
EOI to Decision successful is matter of them checking out your claims and deciding they are plausible.
I think that if you have a full medical on file it's good for longer (24 months) than if you are submitting a new application but not entirely clear on how and when this is applicable. This may be something to clarify with NZIS or search the official site.

Other information you would need to have handy is anything that you claimed on the EOI, past work experience etc. They will want originals or certified copies of everything including your full employment contract.

I have a horrible feeling (but am not certain) that if a medical is submitted for a non-PR visa, then it is only valid for the normal 3 months. I hope sincerely that I am wrong about this as I am in a similar situation. I'm waiting for my ITA form to arrive and had a medical done in mid-January for my WTR (talent) visa but don't think I will make the 3 month deadline. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong and the medical can carry over to the PR application (me = short arms, long pockets!).

To the OP - your case should be processed quite quickly. From what I recall, NZIS are looking for your ability to find work and settle in NZ when considering PR. You've already found work and you've been here for a long time so both are proven. I imagine they will rush your application in order to get you working ASAP. I am already working myself and went from EOI application to accepted in just over 2 weeks even though my case has no urgency. I'm waiting for the ITA to arrive in the post now. I think yours will be as quick if not sooner. :D

Like Bkymonster said, your contract (preferably signed with salary info on it) will be wanted. References from past employers might be necessary if the points you claimed depend on past employment. Qualifications - you should be fine there if the US university is accredited with NZIS (they have a list on their website). I think that's about it, but I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be able to tell you with greater certainty.

All the best!

[IanW99]

...
I think that if you have a full medical on file it's good for longer (24 months) than if you are submitting a new application but not entirely clear on how and when this is applicable. This may be something to clarify with NZIS or search the official site.
...


This is correct for other visa applications, but for PR, the medical must be less that 3 months old.

All Medical and Chest X-Ray Certificates must have been issued less than three months before the date the application for residence is made.

It should be noted that according to the guide, the medical for a PR must be a new medical specifically for the PR application, so its still possible that they will insist on a new one regardless (this is at the CO discretion).

If the time limit gets tight, I would definitely talk to the CO / go into the nearest branch and see if you can at least have them accept the existing blood tests due to your medical issues, even if you have to do the rest again (got to be worth asking).

Ian

[akp713b]

Thanks for the quick responses. I already checked with NZIS and because it is an application for PR they assured me the limit is only 3 months. I'm fresh out of university, finished my teacher training in November, so I have no work experience to assess. My US degree was already NZQA checked for equivalency at level 7 and I have all those documents because I needed them twice in the last three months, first for teacher registration and then for the work visa. I'm already a registered NZ teacher, I've been doing relief teaching, and I sign my contract for the full-time teaching position tomorrow.

I just hadn't realised there was a break between the EOI and the ITA, I assumed all the checking was done once I returned the ITA. I really hope you are right that the ITA will come in a couple weeks. Are you assigned a CO after the EOI is selected, or only after you return the ITA? Also, I saw on a list somewhere that a birth certificate is required. Is a certified copy sufficient?

I hope your ITA arrives in time so that you don't have to pay the nearly $400 to do the medical over again.

[BkyMonster]

So that's the distinction with medicals.

Anyhow, a certified copy of a birth certificate will be fine.
You are typically assigned a CO after the ITA is submitted but you can get someone to have a look at your case/change information/add info etc by referring to your EOI number in your communications. After you are issued and return your ITA you get a different number which becomes the overall tracking number :)
I agree that your application will probably be processed quickly to the ITA stage (and beyond), but if they do require a new medical for residence applications you may be out of luck.
If it's the same form for non-resident and resident medicals (1007) and you still have or can get access to the original results of the blood work then maybe you can use that blood work with a new medical exam for your ITA. Good luck!