[Stramec]

WOO HOO!

hi Everyone, well we have been in NZ for 1 week on a job hunt and I have been offered 2 jobs. One in New Plymouth which I am declining as OH has no chance of getting the job she would liek there.

The other is in Wellington, which is an excellent opportunity and is going to be taken.

Now the tricky part of visas!

My role is in IT with an accredited employer, so I should have no problems getting a work visa.

What I would really like to know is does contract work count on the PR as a skilled job offer. Or does it have to be a perm position.

Suzanne my girlfried, doesn't qualify as a skilled migrant, as I understand it if i get a work visa she will not be able to work on that, so will have to get her own one.

I currently have 110 point, but with a job offer i would be pushed right up obviously.

Has anyone any experience of this situation and any advice on the best visa combination to get?

It is very likely that my role will be offered as perm after the 6 months.

Thanks

Stewart

[willsken]

Sorry no experience but wanted to say well done on the job offer! :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

[Avalon]

If you get a work visa - then suzanne should get one too. I have friends who are in this situation. The wife got a job, but couldnt get PR as not skilled. She got a work visa - which is tied to the job she is doing. Her husband got a work visa off the back of that. His obviously isnt tied to a job - so he can do any job.

One word of caution. If she (or in your case you) leave your job - the partners work visa is then cancelled straight away.

Also, as far as was the case when we applied - you couldnt use a contract to get PR. However - its always worth making sure that this is still the case. Even if it is - get the work visa and then you will be getting NZ Work experience towards enough points for PR anyway. And as you are in IT - its worth checking whther you have enough points for PR even without the job offer. You may find you can apply for PR anyway.

Good luck, and well on choosing Welly - a fine choice if I may say so :cheers

[Stramec]

Thanks for the info guys, loooks like it is a trip to NZ House to clear a few things up on my return.

I'll let everyone know how I get on for future reference :cheers

Thanks

Stewart

[Smiler]

We got PR with OH being offered a contract in Welly (not permanent IT work at that stage).

Our ITA was jogging along when he got the contract offer and went through really quickly when we contacted NZIS. Though, like Avalon says, we did have more than enough points for PR.

Good luck. :nice1