[Rob K]

I'm trying to figure out the most logical way to get our visa/immigration sorted out, now that I have a permament job waiting and only 2-3 months to make the move.

I spent about an hour on the NZIS website this afternoon, and can almost say with a straight face that I understand less than I did before logging on.

But then I called them on the phone (not actually encouraged on the website, and I only managed to get a phone no. via a reference to inquiries about something else). At any rate, the person I spoke to was very helpful, compared with the website.

He told me that I should apply for a work visa (CAN$170) first, and in the meantime apply for permanent residency either now or later once I'm in NZ. As for Sandrine and the kids: she can apply for a visitor visa (CAN$110) and put the young ones on with her, and the school-aged ones can apply for student visas (CAN$170 each).

I have a question for this forum: Is there a better/cheaper way to do this, considering that I have a permanent contract in an occupation on the POL - but also considering the short timeframe?

Cheers,

Rob

[Annierobrigado]

Hello ROb,

You are so lucky to have a permanent job offer! Have you submitted your EOIs? I know you're supposed to leave within 2-3 months, but maybe when they dig from the pool this end of october you might be selected right away, since you have a job offer which puts you ahead with 50 points at once! So far that's the only way i know how. another way, you could go on ahead of your family then they can lodge their eois through you as sponsor. (or something like that). if all you have is a visitor's visa right now, you could go there and have it changed to working since you have a job already.

paging all our gurus and administrators!! you have not answered rob's call! wake up! I don't know if I'm answering him right! I just don't want to see his call go unanswered, that's why i replied as soon as i read it.

rob, hang on, one or a few of them will answer you better than i have. good luck and keep in touch!

:cheers
annie

[Moorf]

Quite honestly, I would get the move underway as you only have 2-3 months - you will NEED that time to get things sorted (and Xmas is coming up too :eek )

Therefore, come over on visa's and start the EOI once you are here - as you already have a job it shouldn't take too long (probably no longer than, say, 8 weeks if you have your medicals and police records done in advance).

At least when you are here you are able to go and see someone at Immigration face to face... makes it alot easier to sort out!

Just my thoughts !

Moorf

[Rob K]

Thanks, Annie & Moorf, for the quick replies and advice.

I guess that I could go for the visas & EOI simultaneously, as the NZIS guy told me on the phone today.

What I'm wondering about, though - and need some advice about, is whether it would cost me more to apply for both. Since the EOI route seems to supercede the need for visas, then maybe I could save some $$$ by just going for this now. Is this correct?

If I do want to start the EOI process, then how do I do it? I tried getting onto the online form, but it didn't work. And, how much does this cost?

It would actually be nice to be in NZ for Xmas, so the timeline's really closer to 2 months than 3. What's the best strategy to ensure that we are all able to come over by then? And, we really do want to come over all together.

Cheers,

Rob

[veronica]

The way you want to play it I don't think you have any choice but to go for the work visa, either getting it before you come or getting it over the counter once you get here, and applying for the perminant residency at the same time. If you wanted to go the work to residency route, which may be another option find out if your employer (which if I remember is the Education people.) will let you go that route. They have to be accredited to do this but as I think they are part of the govt. it may be as well to ask about it.

[ruthyroo]

Just to add my tuppence worth... we were in a similar position coming from the UK - hubbie had a permanent job offer on the POL, and we were short of time. In the end we arrived on visitor visas, then applied over the counter for work permits at NZIS in Hamilton, and they were issued the same day - no problem for POL job offers - as long as all the paperwork is in place.

You will need to have all paperwork in place to apply over the counter - this might include NZQA assessment and / or registration, proof of job offer etc. If in doubt - take it, including copies of eveything! Also, remember to take proof of partnership for your wife if she wishes to get an open work permit.

We have now been here about 3 months on our WP and are planning to apply for PR - thanks to the POL job we have zillions of points, so it's just a case of getting our act together, re-collecting all the paperwork (yuk yuk) and completing the EOI etc. We have three year permits so aren't rushing, but are aware that the NZIS policies cuold change at any time!

Best of luck, HTH, Ruth