[PaulandHelen]

Hi everybody, we decided to go to new zealand recently and have started to trawl the net and we stumbled across this forum, and it is fantastic!! the attitude seems to be really good and we have already learn't a lot.
Helen is a teacher and i am a gas fitter and we are hoping to move to nz for two years initially and see what happens and whether we want to make things more permanent.
I'm sure these questions have been asked a thousand times, but here goes.
whats the best way to start the ball rolling? do we need to apply for work visa's or do we need to try and get jobs first or can we look for work when we get there? could someone point us in the right direction. Any help would be much appreciated. cheers.

[jo b]

Welcome Paul & Helen,

You could apply for a work visa or Permenant residency.

I think both your trades are on the occupational shortage list so shouldn't really have to jump over many hurdles so to speak.

The best think to do is check out the NZ Immgration website. I applied for my EOI (expression of interest) on line, then receive ITA of which my husband is principle applicant.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Regarding jobs it is easier to get a job whilst in NZ although getting one before you leave isn't unheard of.

Best of luck, enjoy the forum it's full of info not to mention some very funny characters.

Jo

ps btw where are you from??

[PaulandHelen]

Hi jo,
thanks for the reply, we've got a lot of finding out to do i think. we have found the government site and the link to the branch in London who charge you a pound a minute to talk to them!!
Is an expression of interest the best place to start? is that for residency.
What is an ITA? forgive me for being a bit slow, but sometimes i feel like i have read so much and i still know nothing!!
cheers
Paul

p.s. we are from stourbridge in the west midlands.

[paulwardle]

Hi Paul,
ok where to start,
you have to do an eoi no matter what the situation, this will indicate to nz immigration your qualifications, experience, relevant job offer etc.
If you score enough points on the EOI, & your qualifications are on the approved list & your experience seems relevant to your qualifications etc, then chances are NZIS will invite you to apply for residency (ITA), you then need to complete medicals, police checks & prove what you've said on the EOI & if you can do all this, they grant permanent residency. The process is exactly the same if you have a job offer, but this has to be verified after you've submitted your EOI, before they ITA. The paperwork for your ITA is then a bit different in that you have to provide references & contracts from said job.
If you can get enough points from the EOI with no job offer & all goes well, they'll give you Permanent residency, if you have a job offer, they will give you a work to residency, whereby you have to take up the job offer.
hope this helps

[PaulandHelen]

Cheers paul for the reply, that makes things a bit clearer.
Applying for residency is probably the best way to go i think. We were thinking about trying to get visa's to work going over then trying to find work not necesarily in the trades we have now. Well helen still wants to teach but i would be happy doing anything as long as i'm not in an office.
I'll get that sorted tonight and 'get the ball rolling'.
Thanx again
Paul.

[Mildred]

Hi Paul,

I know it sounds strange but my husband had 18 years as a Gas Fitter, 2 years as a primary school teacher, and then last October returned back to his old job with British Gas having slogged his way through 5 years full time education and a £10,000 student loan debt :?

Funnily enough I was this afternoon just starting to submit the EOI when I realised his qualifications have to be assesssed first, so feeling a bit frustrated. I think it costs about £116 just for this assessment. :( I then came across what may be more expense. He did a History Degree at Canterbury Christchurch University College which doesn't appear on the list of recognised Universities :(

You've come to a good place for advice and know you will learn lots from this site. Good luck!

[paulwardle]

Hi Paul,
the thing is, you cant get visa's to work unless you've got a job offer, then you have to take up that job offer for 3 months at least.
PR allows you to sweep streets if you want. If you can get enough points for the eoi (100+) without a job offer, then do it that way, a job offer only complicates things & slows things down.
Any probs, let me know, have been through this whole painful process....seemed really hard at first, but its not too bad, the only thing i'll say is, dont even think about fibbing on the eoi, you have to prove EVERYTHING you say on there, no ifs or buts.

[PaulandHelen]

thanx again for the replys. :smile
Paul we were just discussing your last reply and you have clarified the situation perfectly even if we don't want to stay permanently residency is the best way to go. Its ironic really i will probably have more points as a diesel fitter than as a heating engineer but like you say if we can get residency then it doesn't matter!!
EOI will be done tonight!
Thanx again for all the replys
Paul

[Mildred]

Paul Wardle

I am right in thinking you need qualifications assessed before submitting EOI aren't I?

[paulwardle]

it depends what they're in, we didn't but ours were on the list, if its a professional qualification, then you might, if its a straight forward degree (or is on the list), then you shouldn't need them doing no.
I cant remember the list now, but i'm sure it says 'trade qualification = 50 points' then it gives you a list, same with uni degrees.
If its on the list, no you dont need them assessing
if its not, yes you do need them assessing.

[Mildred]

Thanks Paul,

Its BA History Degree and City & Guilds GasFitting Cert - all 3 levels.

Does anyone know how long they take to do the assessments? Feeling impatient now and just want our EOI submitted so we know where we stand :?

[Diny]

Paul & Helen

Just wanted to say welcome. Whatever the question .... you'll find the answer here.

Good luck.

Diny

[bozandhelen]

My HNC took 2 weeks to receive a preliminary assessment, after reading these forums (and the EOI properly :oops: ) it was on the list (though they got my college name wrong!) so I needn't have bothered. You may be the same if your lucky!

Anyway good luck with your application.

Boz

[jonSE]

Paul and Helen

don't call the pound a minute number it's a rip off. Call the number for people calling from overseas - It's a standard UK number in somewhere like Basingstoke.

the people who answer the phone are in NZIS in london and have no idea you haven't called the pay through the nose number.

Jon
Hate being ripped off.

[PaulandHelen]

Thank you Diny, i'm glad we found this forum i'm sure were going to find a lot of useful information.
we just want to get the EOI done and i'm sure it will feel like were getting something done.
cheers.
p.s cheers jon, i wouldn't call the pound a minute number on principle either, but i might try the international number. cheers

[Nic in NZ]

i refused to phone the pound/min line too i used to phone the auckland office as it was cheaper and they knew what they were talking about

welcome to the forum

Nicola