[Stapleton-Gray]

This may sound odd, but does anyone think that I could submit an EOI claiming I have a Job Offer before I actually have a Job Offer?

As I understand it, you have 4 months to submit your ITA forms after you have been selected from the EOI pool. Surely this would give me 4 months to find a job whilst I'm in NZ (I've been told I'm sure to job offer within 4 weeks - heck I hope!).

My concern is that I will find an employer willing to take me on but may not wish to hang around for 2 months or more while my 'PR via SMC with Job Offer' is being processed. The job agencies recommend starting off with a standard work permit application, which can be issued in 3-4 weeks, but that would just delay my ultimate goal of Residence status.

What's your thoughts people?

Also, has anyone had experience of an employer having to wait 8-10 weeks for a SMC application to go through?

Many thanks,
ISG

[Smiler]

It's been 16 months since we did our EOI, so I'm a bit rusty but don't you have to declare that all the information you have entered is true and correct?

Your ITA is a hard copy of your EOI, so you would have to enter all the 'job' details on your EOI and then they would differ when you got a real job, wouldn't they?

What about if they checked with your 'prospective employer' and found out it was incorrect? I'm not sure what the penalties would be, but I wouldn't want to go that route.

[tigerlily]

I thought you could get a work permit almost the same day- if you apply in person- so if you are in NZ, no employer should have to wait very long to have you. They do fast track EOI with job offers, but I'd go the work permit route first if I have a job offer in hand and was ready to start. I agree with smiler that you would be better off telling the truth on your EOI.

[Singel]

We arrived in NZ as tourists looking for a job. OH got a job offer less than a month of our arrival and we went for the work permit so that he could start work. At the same time, we submit our EOI with points for the job offer and 4 months later, we got our PRs.
:cheers

[marcia]

We got selected with a job offer and within a couple a days of being selected, they were asking for copies of the job offer and details of who to contact. They did get in touch with the employers!

Wouldn't advise trying it!

[Stapleton-Gray]

We did think all of this, and didn't want to 'lie' but it was just an idea to speed up the process. No way would jeopardise the chance by lying!
I think I will get a work visa as soon as job offer comes in at the same time as sending off the EOI, as suggested by Singel. Hopefully that way the employer won't have to wait around for me.
We are just getitng really nervous about the whole thing. Leaving in 5 weeks and heading to Auckland to start the job hunt!