[Jaideco]

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask a few q's about how you guys are getting on with visa applications. The main thing that I would like to know is whether anyone can tell me how long it takes to receive the ITA after their EOI has been selected. I submitted my EOI on 13th Jan and it was selected on 1st Feb but I have still not heard anything. Can anyone tell me how long this bit takes?

At some point in March I am going to need to take up a permanent job in Wellington, I am not expecting to be out there for life but I think 18-30 months is a relative certainty. As far as I am aware, this gives me a choice between the WTR and SMP programmes but for the difference in cost I am still not clear what you actually get out of it. So in a nutshell, I am looking for advice on whether it is worth me waiting for the ITA or if I should just cut my losses now and just submit the application for a regular work permit and visa?

I will be returning to the UK fairly regularly during my employment in NZ but I would consider it to be a valuable benefit if I could earn the right to live and work in NZ freely beyond this period.

Thanks for your help.

[zardell]

NTL will never be the same without you......I'm sure you will be as sadly missed as you will miss them ;)

All I can tell you is that it took us a month to receive out ITA, however, no job offer was in place.

Have you rung NZIS ? Their number is 01344-716199......press * key twice and then go straight to option 9......and guess what ?....you will be put right through to a human being....amazing I know, but true !!

Now, I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that there is a way that you can get a type of work visa which allows you to work in NZ whilst you wait for your application for PR to be approved. Come to think of it, I would be more than interested in any info you might pick up on that one.

Glad to hear that you decided to give NZ a go and I wish you all the best on your big adventure.

Keep in touch wont you.....

Julie

xx

[K&CS]

Sorry, can't help you with your query, but, like Julie, I'm glad you've decided to give it a go. Keep us posted!

Kate

[Jaideco]

Thanks Julie for that telephone number I have called them and they were very helpful.

Here is the news...

Firstly I would like to share something with you all...

Application: Skilled Migrant Expression of Interest
Description: Expression Of Interest
Status: Decision Successful
Payment Status: Received
Date Selected: 01 Feb 2006

THIS morning, my EOI went from selected to successful so needless to say I am quite excited. The person at NZIS says that this is now being referred to a case officer in NZ House, London for processing. The next step will be for the ITA form to be sent out to me and thIs can take upto a couple of weeks. (Boy that feels like such a long time).

I knew that there was a reason why I had initially been so keen to persue the SMP and I think that I understand this again now. The SMP comes with PR immediately and the only thing you have to apply for after two years is the RRV status (I believe this is what I described in my first message). The WTR doesn't actually give you PR until after you have successfully applied for it at the end of two years - I might be mistaken about that bit so if you know better please speak up.

Thanks for your encouragement guys,

[Nienke]

No, that's correct. We have a WTR visa, and we can apply for a PR after two years of living and working in NZ. The difference is that the application then is rather straightforward. For instance my husband wouldn't have to do an IELTS test. The application form for PR itself is also relatively easy compared to the ITA.....
Nevertheless, we intend to apply for PR as soon as my son and I are in NZ as well (our house needs to be sold first), because being on a WTR makes you dependent on your employer. I.e. no job = get out of the country.... Besides, you never know when the conditions change again!

[Jaideco]

being on a WTR makes you dependent on your employer. I.e. no job = get out of the country.... Besides, you never know when the conditions change again!

That is a very scary fact... I certainly wouldn't want to be in that situation. Ok... SMP it definately is...

Well just to put a fly in the ointment I have just realised that my birth certificate is a short one and thus inadmissable as evidence. Chances of it replaced by Saturday anyone?

I love deadlines, can't get enough of them!

[Nienke]

In retrospect I think we would have gone for the SMP as well, but we didn't think we could get it in time. We only had 2,5 months before my husband started his job in Auckland (out of the blue job offer via a recruiter!).

[Jaideco]

Well, fortunately my employer is being quite patient...

I was originally offered my job just before xmas and when I accepted they agreed to wait until my visa came through. At the time we were expecting it to be a formality of just a few weeks... how naive we were. ;)

It is now exactly one month to the day since my first meeting with NZIS when the truth really came out and in that time all my documentation, including the EOI has come through. I wonder how long the ITA takes to go through, I am hoping that I will be able to drop all the documents off and hear back almost straight away... it would be so infuriating if I find out that there is another month to wait.

[wilson182]

You may find that you can still apply for a work visa/permit if you need to take up your job in Welly, this just means that it will be harder for you to travel in and out of NZ while on the work permit rather than PR

[Jaideco]

Did I mention that I was coming back from New Zealand in May to attend my sister's wedding?
:D :D :D :D

I'm actually having a good laugh about this now... and I am planning to get my visa applications for the rest of the known world in now to save time should I ever want to work elsewhere later. You know it makes sense.

[Nienke]

:laugh

[Smiler]

J
You can get a copy of your full birth cert if you can go to the register office in the district where you where born. It's about 6 quid.

They should do it while you wait or by return of post if you write in. You can order it online from GRO but it will cost more and take longer. Going or writing to the register office itself is always quicker.


Good luck.

D

[K&CS]

If you're near the town/city you were born, they'll do a full birth certificate while you wait - takes about 5 minutes. Otherwise, just phone the registry office in the place where you were born. DH did this and he had his the next day!

Kate