[Pam Learnihan]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone tell me what a temporary work Visa/Permit actually means? As this is what people will lightly to be issued with who have been selected from pool and don't yet have a job offer! Information sort from NZ Insider.
How does it differ from a Work Permit issued with a job/offer?

Just sold house s.t.c.
Selected from pool about 4 weeks ago.

Thanks
Pam :D

[markkellaway]

Hi Pam,

If they issue with a work visa without a job offer then basically this is an open visa for 2 years, i.e. you are free to work in any job for up to 2 years. During that time you have to work for a period of 3+ months in the skills area you claimed points for, if this happens you gain full residency.

I believe if an employer gets you a visa you are tied to that employer for a period, i.e. it is not an "open" visa, I'm not 100% on that one though.

Note that, as far as I can tell, it is not definite that you will be given a visa as opposed to PR, this does depend on the interview. If they are confident that you will contribute to NZ then I believe you could still get PR. This is only my interpretation though. :hopeso

Cheers,

Mark. :D

[gratto]

is there just an easy way to apply for an open work visa without a job offer? I'm thinking of going for the PR but I want to make sure I like the place enough to move there for the rest of my life first.

[Radders]

Hi,
In the old points system, if you were within a couple of points of the pass mark, ie. a job offer would get you through. They were able to give you a 6 month work visa to try and obtain that elusive few points.
Is this what you are referring to?
I would be surprised if they handed out 2 year work visas without a job, afterall you only need to be in the country for three years before applying for naturalisation.
I may be wrong, but I don't think so.

[markkellaway]

As far as I understand it you only get an "open" work permit if you have enough points for PR and have had an interview, the result of which is that you still need to "prove" yourself.

If you aren't going for PR I don't think there is any such thing as an open visa, other than the working holiday one which is age limited.

Why not go for a long vacation, at least you'll have an idea of the place, you may even be able to secure some interviews while you are there.

Mark. :D

[gratto]

the problem is I've been looking on the Inet for positions and such, and they always say that You need to be either a legal resident or have a work permit to interview. Well how can you get a work permit without a job offer, but they won't interview you without having a work permit.

[Timbo]

gratto. This is the catch 22 well known to anyone who has tried applying for a job without the paperwork.
The best bet is probably to get yourself out there and show your dedication to prospective employers. If they want you, the paperwork can be done after you get the job. It is not unusual for people to go on a visitors visa and find work while there, and it is above board too.

[veronica]

Hello, some friends of ours in Auckland have just got their work permit. They have come out here with the 3 kids in tow, on the holiday visa and have got themselves sorted. It took 2 1/2 months (IT support) for it to happen but our friend has now got a job with an accredited co. and the relevent work visa. They were told it would take about 3 weeks to get the work visa which worried them but in the end it came through within a week. If he is still working with them in 2 yrs I understand that residency will just be a case of rubberstamping in their passports.

[xanctus]

Well I guess based on you guys comments...I believe in order to get a job offer is better off go to NZ right away (with tourist visa) and then apply for job and hopefully get some interviews and if the company like you....then they will grant you a work visa and work for them. Hopefully within 2 years if still working, then PR is one of the option. Am I getting it right?

[veronica]

Pretty much but the two year to PR is, I think, only with an Accredited co. One thats listed for employing overseas people. Anyone out there with more knowledge correct me if I am wrong please, 'cos that is only my understanding of it.

[Douglas]

Hi Veronica, yes, needs to either be an accredited company or employment in a job on the Priority Occupations List. :nice1

[gratto]

good thing my degree and experince are on the POL. CCNA, wide and local area network with some sys admin thrown in for good measure.

[Rimbo]

I spoke to NZIS in London Yesterday asking this exact same question.
WTR need to be either on the POL or employer accredited employers list
Temp work visa same again.
I have no quals but tons of work experience, again in IT Support. So my job is on the POL but, i don't have a bachelors degree. i would need employer to prove that no one else in NZ can do the job or at least they have advertised without finding a suitable applicant other than me. you need to prove your relevant work experience via letter/reference from employers stating what you can do, how long etc.

All the above is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNLESS YOU ARE THERE! :no
I have to keep reminding myself of this fact each time I get knocked back. like others have said on this thread, employers will respect the fact you are there looking for work. :nice1
by the way, book a return ticket when going out job hunting, or you'll not get into the country!
don't look at this as a negative. its a challenge! :D

John

[xanctus]

Hmm, I must say this is quite tough...unless you are 100% settle of going down there without leave anything behind (such as selling house, cars, etc) :?

[ToadFish]

We have friends who put in their EOI while in England. They didn't have job offers but both had good qualifications and experience. They were given a Work to Residence permit for 2 years. They're living in Wellington now and both have jobs.

That's the route we're hoping to follow. I'd rather not have to get out there on tourist visa and look for work, but I gues it's an option if we can't get in without a job offer.

Tony

[feathers]

Hello folks

If you do get given the 2 year work visa rather than PR does this mean that you will eventually have to go through all the medical and police certificates hassle again, as presumably the ones you would have submitted with your invitation to apply can't still be valid??

Sorry I am feeling a bit forlorn about the process and the costs of it, I know moving to NZ is a long term investment in a better life but I'm feeling very short sighted at the moment!

[markkellaway]

Hi,

The answer is no, the work visa is a kind of conditional acceptance, get a job in your chosen field for at least 3 months and you're in!

Hope this helps,

Mark. :nice1

[lindajax]

Hi Feathers,

I am currently in the process of applyng for work to res and immigration told me that if I decide to apply for full residency at a later date my medicals etc have to be done again if they are expired and if I choose to leave it for the automatic nzis upgrade to residency they ask to do them then too. Bummer eh!!!??
I hope this helps but it may be best just to email them and ask :nice1

love Linda xx

[bbq]

We have friends who put in their EOI while in England. They didn't have job offers but both had good qualifications and experience. They were given a Work to Residence permit for 2 years.
Tony

Hi Tony

Were the visas given as part of their EOI process or were your friends trying both routes (EOI to PR and WTR) ? The reason I ask is that if it was part of the EOI process then no-one else I have seen has actually been given the 2 year look for work visa. Were they interviewed by NZIS, and if so do you know what sort of thing they were asked?

all the best

alex