New Zealand - Got a job. How do I get to NZ asap ?

c_kashyap

21st May 2009, 10:50 AM

Hi guys

Firstly, this is a great forum. Plenty of very valuable info. Hope to be an active member :).

About my situation, I have received a job offer from a company in Auckland. It took a lot of effort to get it (including actually flying all the way to NZ from India for a 2 day interview).

Now that I have a job, I sent my EOI in hoping to move to NZ with a residence permit. I sent in my EOI application yesterday and I have 225 points, so I am feeling confident about that.

BUT !!! from this forum I realized that It is going to take me 6 months atleast to land in NZ with the residence permit. THIS IS WAY TO LONG FOR MY EMPLOYER TO WAIT!!!!

Q1. Is there another approach. Could I apply for a WTR visa, get to NZ and let my Skilled Migrant application carry on in parallel?

The problem is that the whole idea of moving to NZ is to take my wife along since we are barely a year married.

Q2.If I apply for a WTR, My wife cannot work, she will need a WTR permit herself. Am I right ?

Q3.ANY IDEA IF THE WTR processing is faster than a SMC visa ? I will be applying to the New Delhi office

Q4. Any other solution to my situation.. would be just sooo great :)

Thanks !
K

BkyMonster

21st May 2009, 01:41 PM

I hope this doesn't qualify as immigration advice...
You can apply for a work visa and permit which will allow you to travel to NZ and begin work while your other application processes. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/
Information on that can be found on the right hand side of this webpage.
Your wife can also get a general work permit based on yours by filling out the forms on this page:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/requirements/Familystream.htm

Other than that WTR applications are generally viewed as faster than the SMC (EOI process). Applications with job offers are processed much faster than those without, but processing time does depend on branch office with London generally being faster than most of the others. Being from India you might have a slower time of it, so 6 months may, in your case, be correct.

HTH

c_kashyap

21st May 2009, 06:55 PM

Love your signature btw. Very appropriate and informative for this forum.

Thanks for the reply, Ok so the work permit approach seems to be the a good one.

Q1. What is the advantage of applying for a work permit and a SMC in parallel OVER applying for WTR directly ? Would you have an idea on how these approaches compare in terms of processing time and cost ?

Q2. If I my wife has to come on a Family Stream visa, I have to get my work visa first correct ? If we want to leave together, we would have get wait till my visa gets processed, then hers and then we can leave.

Q3. Are there any restrictions in NZ for a work permit holder compared to a PR ? Anything that could impact my job or living in NZ ?

Thanks
K

BkyMonster

21st May 2009, 07:28 PM

1. Can't answer that I don't think. Unable to make recommendations. There may be a cost difference between WP and WTR?
2. Perhaps a visitor visa/permit to start out with? I think you can submit them at the same time though they may end up being approved at different times.
3. If your WP is 2 years or more you should get the same medical benefits, other than that you are tied to that job until PR comes through (or you apply for a different WP based on a new job offer), you may experience some banking difficulties such as not being able to get a visa debit (though speaking with migrant banking may resolve any issues), and may be under some restrictions for purchasing a home.

hope that helps

JandM

21st May 2009, 09:15 PM

3. A work permit is for a finite amount of time. Although for most people in the past, renewal has been a mere formality, in theory and in law, the authorities CAN refuse to renew, even if the immigrant still has their job, and their employer wants to keep them. This has happened to some people in recent times, with the authorities citing job shortages as a reason - 'this work could be done by a presently unemployed Kiwi'. Whereas this can't happen to a permanent resident.

c_kashyap

21st May 2009, 09:18 PM

I have a fundamental question now.

Are the WTR (Work to residence) and WP (Work Permit) visas the same ?

Navigating through the NZIS site seems to indicate that.

c_kashyap

24th May 2009, 02:50 AM

Hey guys

So its come down to this. I am getting my documents ready to submit an application for a work permit under the essential skills policy. So to support this... I have a job in NZ, my job and experience are from a shortage skill list & I have a letter from the employer stating that they could not find a local New Zealander to fill the position.

Now, the real confusion I have is whether I should apply under

1. The WorkToResidence Visa under the long term skilled list policy.
(http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktoresidence/howdoiapply/stepsforpriorityoccupations/)

2. Work Permit/Visa under Essential Skills policy
(http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/howdoiapply/essential/)

The only difference I see relevant to me now is that Option 1 requires the employer to give me an offer of employment in the EMPLOYER SUPPLEMENTARY FORM (Which I could get if I need to, thought it would only mean more time)

Option 2 only requires an offer letter (no need for the EMPLOYER SUPPLEMENTARY FORM) and a letter from the employer substantiating that they require my skill and they made a attempt to find the skill locally.

I Have all the documents in hand for option 2 so I am planning to apply for that.

CAN ANYBODY TELL WHAT THE REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO OPTIONS IS ?

Thanks!
K

c_kashyap

24th May 2009, 02:51 AM

Note that my EOI application has been lodged and I plan to pursue residency through the SMC in parallel.

JandM

24th May 2009, 03:25 AM

I'm not quite certain about this, which is why I've held off replying, and I'm surprised you haven't had replies from people who've been through this process. It may be because of the new NZ law forbidding those in the country to advise would-be immigrants unless they're a licensed agent (whereas I'm not in NZ).

Going from what I've learnt from other people's stories on here, I THINK your instinct to go for option 2 is the right one. That's what I know people have done when their Skilled Migrant Scheme application for PR couldn't be processed in time. The Work Permit is issued for a finite amount of time, and by the time it's up, your PR should have come through. The WTR option is intended (I THINK) for people who can't get enough points for PR as a skilled migrant.

If you're in doubt still, I'd suggest either PMing anyone on here who seems to have the knowhow, to ask if they see any problem with what you're intending, or, of course, asking for advice direct from NZ Immigration.

BkyMonster

24th May 2009, 11:34 AM

I'd agree with JandM but can't really suggest anything for you.
We did something similar to option 2, where we had an EOI and ITA submitted, came over for a job, got a WP and waited for the application to proceed.

c_kashyap

25th May 2009, 01:23 AM

Thanks for the replies guys !

I've asked the same question to the NZ immigration officers in the New Delhi Embassy in India. I will keep you posted.

Cheers
K

925dancer

25th May 2009, 01:55 AM

My understanding is that WTR is for those applying with an offer of employment from an accredited employer. Generally the route taken for those without enough points to apply for residency straight off.

A WP is for those who want to work temporarily and are either in demand on the skills shortage lists or have an employer that can prove no suitable Kiwi could be found to take the position. Lots of people get this permit then run their PR applications at the same time.

I could however be completely wrong.

HTH

c_kashyap

27th May 2009, 04:28 AM

So I did get a confirmation from the NZ officers. They only confirmed what all you guys have been saying

Although the WTR and WP application requirements may be similar...

WTR is for people who are looking for residence and do not have the points to do so through a SMC.

Work Permit is temporary visa and is something that can be lodged in parallel with a SMC residency application.

K

sidharthd

28th May 2009, 05:09 PM

Which industry are you into?

c_kashyap

28th May 2009, 05:53 PM

Robotics Software, so it comes under ICT. What about you ?

sidharthd

29th May 2009, 07:21 AM

I also come under ICT.

eassae

29th May 2009, 08:05 PM

My wife and I did the work permit route with no problems. She was able to get hers the same day she turned in her paperwork.

c_kashyap

29th May 2009, 09:27 PM

My wife and I did the work permit route with no problems. She was able to get hers the same day she turned in her paperwork.

Did you send both your applications in together?
I.E. Can I send my wife's Family Work Policy form in along with mine before I get my own work visa ?

There doesn't seem to be an option in the Work Visa form for that.
(http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/EC9A6BEF-1152-482F-B39F-B782EE7688FA/0/1015.pdf)

Question N7 in the form does not have an option for "my partners work visa is in processing "

Cheers
K

IanW99

30th May 2009, 01:11 AM

eassae

30th May 2009, 07:46 PM

Did you send both your applications in together?
I.E. Can I send my wife's Family Work Policy form in along with mine before I get my own work visa ?

There doesn't seem to be an option in the Work Visa form for that.
(http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/EC9A6BEF-1152-482F-B39F-B782EE7688FA/0/1015.pdf)

We applied for PR in the US. My wife had a job offer and when we realized the app wasn't going to go through in time for her to make her start date, we traded our one way tickets for round trip and just showed up. When we got here her employer had to fill out a one page form. We took that to immigration and she got her visa. I think her salary and position helped her. I did my work permit separately, but on the basis of my OH having her permit. I am a contractor and had no specific job offer. I had to wait 6 weeks for my permit to process.