[925dancer]

Due to the expense of PR and being a bit nervous about relating all my claimed work experience to my current role I am thinking of applying for a WP in a couple of months.

Now work has said they will write me a fan dabby dozey reference and fill in that form saying no Kiwi could be recruited (not sure how that one will actually pan out as I heard they had a lot of applications but i was the best candidate).

I am currently on an IEP (work exchange) permit and I'm just curious about other people's experience of having another WP issued. I will have been with my employer for about 3 months when I apply and they want to keep me permanently but as my permit currently is a little different to others I'm a bit nervous of my chances!

[JandM]

Congratulations on being so much appreciated! :nice1

I can't see a problem with what they're willing to say - they may have thought about all those Kiwis, but if they took you on because none was suitable, that's what an accredited employer is entitled to do.

[925dancer]

Oh they're not accredited, it's not a WTR visa I'm thinking of applying for but just a regular old WP which is why I'm a bit nervous. All that, no Kiwi is able to do my job blah blah blah.:D

[JandM]

Well, it's THEM saying no Kiwi they saw could do the job, so if there were any question, it would be up to them to justify themselves, and presumably they're happy they can. :nice1

[925dancer]

Well I showed work the form they'll have to fill in about their recruitment process and they said they have no issue with it. So in a few months when my salary is increased to the immigration minimum for my occupation I will apply for my work permit!

So nervous and it's ages away yet.

[JandM]

I think nerves are normal at every stage of this, like any time it's a big life 'first'. It doesn't mean it won't happen, though, specially not if the boss says all's well.

[Ngeru]

If I were you, in this economic climate I would go straight for the security of getting PR as soon as you can. I know of two cases recently where work permits have not been reissued upon expiry, due to the slowdown fewer work permits are being granted and more stringent scrutiny around Kiwis being available to do the job. Remembering of course at present there are a lot more people without jobs.

A news article today on this matter around the plight of those that have lost jobs and / or their permits: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10573291

It is a really big issue for some who face deportation, with no work and hence no right to stay in the country.

[Flutterby]

You may have PR by the time the work permit is due for renewal and a quick calculation that i did says that the only additional expense over and above the normal PR cost would be doing the medicals and police certs again, due to the fact that the application is cheaper once you are IN new zealand. so if you think you will be able to afford PR application within a few months of arriving it might be a good choice, but it is a bit of a gamble.