[leosus]

I have applied for a working holiday visa to begin this coming March. Should I get a job offer I want to go ahead and submit my EOI, and proceed with immigration like I wanted to in the first place. The job offers are not coming as I had hoped, and to even hope to get one the permit seems to be a must. Most of the jobs I am applying to won't even look at my application unless I have a work permit/ working holiday visa so that is why I went ahead and got it.

Does me getting the permit now affect in any way being able to submit my EOI, and going ahead with the migration process?

[veronica]

No we know quite a few people who have applied while on a working holiday visa.

[jo b]

Are you applying from the US?

If so that's why they won't look at you. Why can;t you apply for a working visa, I take it not enough points.
If you apply for jobs whilst in NZ ready to start work immediatly then you have a MUCH better chance of getting a job as many people on the forum ahve done it that way.

Don't loose heart it is common for employers not to take overseas application seriously if the applicants don't have a work visa.
Think of it from their point of view, how many applicants from overseas must they get? Then out of those applicants how many would actually take the step to move.
Many are just testing the water, so employers don't want their time to be wasted.

Hope this helps

Jo

[ruthyroo]

I can't tell from your post whether you have applied for a Working Holiday Visa or a Work Permit. They are quite different and which one you have applied for will certainly affect your situation. The WHV is designed for young people under 30-ish to use while travelling around NZ, and usually limits holders to 3 months working for any employer - the idea being that you work and travel. Other than bar work / fruit picking / office temping I don't think many employers would be interested in taking you on with this type of visa / permit. I think that WHV are issued on a first come, first served basis up to a certain number, and only up to a certain age - 30 or 35 I think. The WP on the other hand is generally issued only when you have a secure job offer in an area that is either on the POL / OSL (skills shortage) or your employer proves they can't find a kiwi to do the job, is valid for 2-3 years and allows you to stay in the country to work.

If you get a WHV then just use that to get to NZ, and you will be able to work short term / casually to support yourself while seeking employment here. You will find it easier to get interviews / offers once you are here in person, and there is nothing to stop you applying for PR once you are here and have that elusive job offer. HTH - sorry if I have misunderstood your OP.

[veronica]

Lots of employers in the office based jobs will take people on the working holiday visa, its not just for casual work. we know of a few people here in chch who worked for a year with the local council on the WHV. It may be stated on the WHV from america that you can only work for 3 months with one employer but to be honest a lot of people take little notice of that. One of our Backpackers has just been sponsered by his employer for a work visa, he is a comp tech. But having the whv does at least allow you to get going and gives you the time to organise the 'normal' work visa.

[leosus]

Thanks for your responses. It is a working holiday visa in which it allows me to work freely (I believe) in NZ for 1 year. What is the difference between this and a permit? A friend of mine went to NZ on a holiday visa and reccomended it as the best option, but did not know if it affected immigration procedings.

What I didnt know was if I get a job offer BEFORE I go in April can I submit my EOI, or do red flags fly up since I am doing 2 things?? I know they dont want to offer me anything while I am here (in the US still), frustrating I wish they could see my heart!