[PhilDanger]

Any help here would be appreciated.

I am trying to get a job in New Zealand as a route to PR.

Option 1
I could do teacher training (as teaching is on the priority job list) but completing that would be about 18 months away at best - by then the rules could have changed.

How long do you have to wait to apply for PR having trained as a teacher in NZ?

Option 2
Use my science degree to get a job ( I saw a gov one in fisheries) but it seems that I need a work permit first. So onto the immigration web site to apply for a work permit / PR - but it seems that you need an offer of employment first. I am I missing something or is this a catch22?

Can somebody explain in plain English what is required?

As an aside I noticed that the rules had changed for NZ citizenship - extended from 3 to 5 years from January 2005. Does this affect PR in any way? If you had PR and not citizenship what are the major drawbacks?


thanks

[Raeven]

Hi, PhilDanger (love the nick!!),

As I understand it, if you already have PR before the start of 2005, you 'grandfather' in under the 3-year rule. If you attain PR after 1-1-05, you're stuck with the 5-year rule.

I am bumming bigtime, because while we were preparing for our move to NZ which we expected to take between 3-6 months, and on the advice of the NZ Consulate that processing my PR would take 9 months (due to background security checks with the FBI), we elected for me to go over on a work visa initially instead (processing time advised to be 2-3 weeks). At the time, this made sense because it gave us a lot of flexibility in when we could go over and we certainly didn't want to be stuck in the US for 9 months if the opportunity arose for us to be out of here in 6 months. But had I known about the pending citizenship change, I would have taken my chances and applied for PR instead, so I could get started on the citizenship requirements. Now there is no way I'll be able to avoid the 5 year rule, because even if I submit my PR application the day we hit the ground in NZ (anticipated to be end of October), I won't actually have PR before the deadline of 1-1-05. :wah

Hope your situation is more favorable!!

All the best, Rae

[jesselyn]

phil,

you can download the "guide for working in NZ" from: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktoresidence/caniworkinnz/default.htm :nice1


rae,

thats what i think too - getting a working visa will make my move to NZ faster :angel i just wish i started making plans earlier this year :no now i have to wait 5 yrs :wah

[drumminj]

I'm curious why the extra two years for citizenship is a big deal?

Also, rae, is there any limitation to when you can get your PR if you came over on a work visa? It just doesn't seem that likely to be able to get a job offer and then have your PR granted on the timeline you want.

J

[Raeven]

Hi, J,

I should have clarified that I am going over on the partnership scheme. My husband is a Kiwi. I feel like I've said that so many times before, everyone should just know it! But that's the missing piece of the puzzle, and I apologize for not providing it to you in my initial post.

I will be given a 2-year work visa to enter the country in 2-3 weeks from the time I apply, according to the NZ Consulate in Los Angeles. I can work or I needn't work, as I choose. Alternatively, I could have applied for PR from here (USA); however, if I applied from the US, it would have taken up to 9 months owing to the backlog in completing police checks. Also it would cost a lot more to apply from here in the US. So I elected to apply for the work visa (quick and free), then apply for PR once I'm in NZ.

You're right that the 2 extra years for citizenship isn't really a big deal. I'm just an impatient old broad!!

Hope this clarifies.

All the best, Rae

[Graham Barnes]

Hi Phil,

A few comments on your post;

1. There is currently a significant ongoing shortage in secondary teachers in NZ, particularly in specific subjects (including science). This is expected to continue for some years yet, despite Government attempts to increase the numbers entering the profession. A UK PGCE is well regarded out there, as are UK teachers, but previous UK teaching experience is strongly preferred as it gives Principals something to go on when considering an overseas appointment.
Secondary roll growth is expected to increase until 2006/2007, thus maintaing the demand in the short term. Longer term, a high proportion are in their late 50's and so are nearing retirement (N.B. 65 in NZ for teachers, although not all do go on for that long!).

2. How about applying for PR without a job offer? At the moment, the required points are low enough for many people to do this (depending on age and quals of course). If you have enouh points and agree that you have a good chance of settling there, they will give you PR or a 2 year work visa which will make you a far more attractive applicant for NZ companies!!
You're right that this used to be a real catch-22, but is now far less of a hurdle now that the points level has plummeted! :nice1

Graham

Graham

[ruthyroo]

HI Phil

Just a couple of comments...
1. Teacher Training / Teaching in NZ. If you come to NZ to do your teacher training, and you don't have PR, you will be charged full overseas student rates by the unis here - and as unis depend on overseas students to fill their coffers the fees are not insignificant. Unless you can get PR by another route, you would be better of doing your PGCE in the UK where you have access to fee-free courses and grants etc - measly though they are. Once you have your PGCE you will be very attractive to schools in NZ, and I really don't think you will have any trouble finding a job in a secondary school without experience as long as you have the qualification. As secondary teaching in a Priority Occupation, NZIS are much more forthcoming with 2-3 year Work Permits. BUT a word of warning - only go into teaching if you are serious about it - it's a stressful job, and not one to do half-heartedly, or as a route into NZ.

2. Other jobs not on Priority Occupations - basically you can only get a work permit for one of these if your employer is willing to jump through the NZIS hoops of proving no native can do the job, and that they have looked. Most of them chuck it back to the employee and say they will only accept applications from those who already have a work permit - catch 22 indeed. If you definitely don't want to go down the teaching route, you might be better to give the PR without a job offer route a go.

HTH. Ruth

[PhilDanger]

Hello
Thanks to all who've responded- it is what makes this forum so good. I hope that I can pay it forward sometime.

My main reasons for wanting to emigrate:
1) to give my childern a better chance.
2) to know that I can contribute in a more meaningful way than I do in the UK.
3) to be part of a society that holds similar values

Teaching would not have been my first choice - though I've been advised that I'd be good at it. I may have to teach in the medium term to to offered PR - it is fair enough as it cuts both ways.

As far as other options are concerned. I'm 50 (last April) so time is not a plus factor for me. I have a good degree but no relevant work experience in this field. All my recent work experience is in a non-skills shortage area. So I think that I'll have to retrain as my degree is unlikely to secure a job offer.


PhilDanger

[biomikebryan]

Phil,
I think you find, that even when you have compeleted your PGCE, you might need at least 2 years worth of teaching in the uk .( NQT status and all that) . Then if you leave the uk before a years teaching i have a strong feeling you might get stung for some fees that the goverment might of overwise have paid for.
As i said before ..... it's sooooooo complicated
Good luck chuck :hopeso
Winging wife of biomike ( who's a former PGCE student at biology,now has job in NZ jan 05)

[PhilDanger]

biomikebryan


Is it better to do PGCE in NZ? You'd still have to do 2 years teaching experience after the PGCE before applying for a job I assume - but you would be better placed for interviews and have NZ experience.



PhilDanger