[Lim]

Greetings everyone!

I have been a 'lurker' on these forums for some time. Finally decided to register and make a post.

My husband and I have finally decided to relocate to NZ (we currently are in California, US). We expect some hang ups because my husband isn't a citizen in the US, he is Philipino and has been in US initially under a student visa. Granted he has lived here for almost 20 years now.

If I could get some opinions from you wonderful people who have gone through these processes before I would greatly appreciate it.

I am a homemaker, although I did work before we had children I do not intend to go back to work anytime soon. If my husband was to be offered a job in NZ and get his visa, would the children and I be able to relocate at the same time or does it have to be at a later date? ( I have searched endlessly and never found concrete statement stating as such)

I gather from a lot of the older posts that the easiest route to residency is to just go to NZ and find a job. However with hubby being an anal retentive accountant that won't work. Accountant is on the shortage list, and he has his 4 yr Bachelors in Commerce (accounting), and has worked as an accountant for almost 15 years, can anyone speculate any possible problems?

We have only been to NZ once, and that was Aukland. Although it was very nice, we prefer something less hectic and noisy. Christchurch and Nelson look very promising. Any opinions? (our children are now 2 yrs old and 6 months old and we prefer a suburban type lifestyle as opposed to city dwellings)

I know these are just generals and kinda all over the board. We've made the decision to move and now comes the work. Any advice and opinions would be wonderful. Also any accountants that have relocated from US or Phillipines would be wonderful to hear from, feel free to PM me.

Lim

[katiejay]

Hi Lim

Welcome to the forum - I'm an old hand, now - joined yesterday!!!

I'm just starting out on the emmigration process myself so we're both at the same point. From what I've read, though, the most sensible route is to apply for permanent residency for all of you - you should be able to move to NZ as a family - and as accountancy is a skill shortage, you should be able to secure a job offer before you go. If you can get PR that way, you won't need a work visa. That's my understanding, but I am new to it all, and there are many many more on the forum with a wealth of expertise who can advise you better than I.

I agree with you on the location idea - Christchurch looks a far more attractive option and you can earn more points for your residency application if you locate outside of Auckland so another plus.

Good luck with everything, and let us know how you get on.

[Diny]

If my husband was to be offered a job in NZ and get his visa, would the children and I be able to relocate at the same time or does it have to be at a later date?


Hi Lim - welcome to the forum. As for your above question, I'm pretty sure you could all arrive at the same time. Some good forum mates of ours (Kim & Elaine) did just this. Kim got the work visa and Elaine and the girls came out here at the same time as he did. It may be worth keeping an eye out for him and asking him some specific questions - he goes by the name of 'Kim 39'.

Good luck for the months ahead, and just remember to keep on going at times when everything looks impossible - where there's a will there's a way.

Diny

[Nienke]

Your husband will be the main applicant, and will include you and your children on the one application. That's what we did with our Work to Residence visa. I think it will be the same for a permanent residence.
We all got the visa at the same time and we could leave for NZ as a family (we didn't go together as I had to sell the house first, but that's another matter).

[Smiler]

Hi Lim

Welcome to the forum. :clap:clap

Good luck with all your plans.

Your avatar is making me hungry...................................:laugh

[tigerlily]

We are all planning on entering the country together when we finally make the move- I need help with the kids on that long flight! All your visas will be the same in your passports (did you get the kids' passports yet?).

If I were in your shoes, I'd send over your husband on a little trip to see the possible locations, meet possible employers and maybe have some interviews. I bet it would yield a job offer, if there really is a high demand.

I'm sorry if I'm not quite understanding your post, but I assume your husband has a green card? I think if you are residents of the US, you will both need an FBI check and he will also need the equivalent Phillipines one as well. If his being from the Philipines makes it hard for him to leave the country and come back again, then I'd network for jobs as much as you can, apply online for things, see if any recruiters work in the field and maybe even make some cold calls to ask some questions at a place that looks promising.

I believe you have to get registered or something to be an accountant in NZ, so see if you can start that process or learn more about it now. If he does require registration to work in his profession, then they will only give your WTR visa instead of PR until he is registered.

Best of luck to you on your journey!