[ShakerMike]

How much is work to residence "worth"?

I have two job offers, both very similar. However, one is with an "accredited employer" which would allow me to apply for work to residence. The other one isn't, so I'd be looking at a temporary work permit at first. Both are permanent positions. The immigration status is not the only deciding point but I'm wondering if people out there have a view as to how important it is?

If I go for the temp work permit, can I convert this at a later date to a PR application in country, or am I storing up problems that would be avoided if I went straight for work to residence.

I'd appreciate views and personal experiences

Cheers

[Debbie]

I have no idea as to what is your best option but just wanted to say,
Congratulations on getting 2 job offers.Debbie

[tigerlily]

I think it might depend on how many points you have-
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/
see the Skilled Migrant Category Points Indicator on the left side
Basically, if you go there on your temp permit and have enough points to apply for permenant residence, then you are all set. If you wouldn't have the points, and need more work experience to increase your points, then you would seem to be better off with work to residence. Work to Residence seems to be less desired than straight permenant residence among the posts I've read on this board, if I'm reading correctly.

[Jonathon1977]

I really wish I had this question for the board. Good luck in which ever path you take. Keep us posted on what you decided to do and how it works out for you. I guess since I very much want PR in NZ I would take the first option but I guess there are other factors involved as well.

Jonathon

[Lizelle]

Yip, it is as tigerlily said. We got a work permit (also, you should look if your job is on the shortage list. If it is, you don't have a great amount of hassle with you work permit, and the company don't have to prove that they have found no nz'er to do the job), and then applied for residence, no problem.

The other thing to remember is that if you have a work permit, you cannot change employers, or job descriptions. If you don't like your current employer, and you want to move, you would have to apply for a new work permit.

NZ doesn't seem to have much of a problem on which visa you are here with before you apply for residence. So, don't let that be a factor.

Also, with the work to residence, you are not guaranteed that you will get residence at the end of the two years.

So, if you have the points, I would recommend (?word just doesn't seem right) that you go the work permit - pr route. It takes only about 2 weeks to get a work permit, so its no real hassle, and after that you can apply for pr. When you are in nz it takes a lot quicker do get pr. We applied at the end of nov, and had our passports back in the beginning of april

[A&R]

Mike,

We have gone the permanant residence route.
If you have the points which I would assume you would especially with a job offer from an accredited employer ( you only need 100 at the moment) go the full residence route. If you have a job from an accredited employer then you may be able to go on a Talent visa which is quick but you are then going down the Work to residence route. You will still have to do all you need to do for PR but from NZ. Could be easier or could be harder.

From what I've gathered I think the advantages of getting PR before you go are :
Advantages
No job tie in.
Can be easier and cheaper to get mortgages and insurances.
I think easier to get the info to apply while in UK.

Disadvantages:
slower
more expensive ( cost is lest to submit in NZ and medicals are cheaper)
Won't have the points problem after 12 months as you will gain so many from being employed in NZ

Personally I'm glad we have gone down the PR route from the UK.
i obtained a job offer and they gave me the option PR from here or Talent visa. I delayed a bit so I could get two summers!! ( LOL)

[eric_amanda]

DONT DO WORK TO RESIDENCE....

It costs a fortune and you only have to do it all again (ie medicals and police checks).

We came last year on WTR through an accredited employer and have since decided a) we would like to stay and b) we have very little to lose if we do EOI residence now.

I phoned immigration many months ago and worked out all the costs and to do residence now through EOI was about $200 more expensive (incl. medicals and police checks etc) than waiting to do it in a years time. ie $2915ish now and $2640 ish in a year. Plus, bearing in mind the $2640 is on top of the £600ish we spent last year to get here!!!:wah

Financially, life is expensive without being a resident, we decided to bite the bullet and sumbit our EOI. We received an ITA within 2 weeks, returned it two months later and hope to be hearing something soon.

We were lucky to get a mortgage of about 82%. We were on the back of that mortgage given a credit card...but the limit is only $2,000. Since we buy EVERYTHING on credit card (always have)(and we get the fly buy points here !!!:yes ) and then pay off straight away, we are constantly juggling money!!! There have also been a few purchases that we have wanted to make where 0% interest has been available. Luckily in all cases we have had the money, but because we have been unable to get the credit, we have had to pay for the item instead of the money making a bit of interest. Only small problems I know, but frustrating all the same.

Overall, I am sure you can do the sums!!! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Best wishes:cheers

Amanda