[Bergita]

Ok, so after reading all the responses from my previous thread, and chatting to another lovely person from South Africa, I'm almost ready to try this whole thing without an agent. It's a lot of money saved.... but even more scary now.

So where do I start? If someone could maybe give me a link to where this has all been discussed, as I'm sure it has been.

I've looked at the NZ government site, it's kind of busy. I'm looking for lists of documents we'll need and what order to do things in.

Our plan is to go to NZ on visitor visa, get hubby a job and apply for PR. We need the job to get the points. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Then at least I can wrap my head around whether I can actually do it myself.

Pretty please if someone would be so kind...

[High]

Hi Bergita!

First of all, don't be so worried! It's really not that bad - we all go through it and it's really not that difficult! So now go have a glass of one of those fantastic South African wines that I miss so much, and relaaaaaaaax!

Okay, all this info is on the NZ Immigration website, but this is pretty much it:
1) You must fill in the EOI form and submit it (if you just do it online it's very easy).
2) Then you wait for your EOI to be picked and made "Decision Successful". When that happens, you get your ITA. If you submit your EOI with a job offer, you'll probably be pulled at the next picking and receive your ITA very quickly.
3) Once you have your ITA, you have to check it, and include:
a)birth certificates for all the people on your application
b)police clearance certificates for all the countries you've lived in the past 10 years
c)medical tests by a registered NZ immigration doctor, as well as chest x-rays (these you can get done by any dr in NZ)
d) evidence of qualifications
e) evidence of work
f) evidence of your relationship with your OH

I think that's pretty much it....
Word of advice: get the SA police clearance before you go over, as they are valid for 6 months, but takes about 6 months to get them in the first place! :uhoh

And then you hand in your ITA with passports, and voila, you get your PR/WTR!

You really don't need an agent for this!

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat!

[Oregonkiwi]

Also see this really helpful thread:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6142

[Bergita]

Thanks High, OregonKiwi, both these posts have been very helpful. One day soon when we're all in NZ together, I'm going to have to buy you guys a drink. :cheers

[Singel]

If you are in NZ, any local GP could do the medical check up and refer you for blood tests and x-ray.

If you are claiming points for your formal qualifications, you need to send the docs to NZQA for endorsement of your education level and this process takes time.

When we were in Holland, we took our own sweet time to fill up the EOI and saved it as draft each time. By going through the drafted EOI slowly, we develop an in-depth knowledge of NZIS requirements and the knowledge helped us in gathering all the necessary documents. When we arrived in NZ as tourists and OH found a job, we just fill up the NZ employer section to complete the EOI.

[Hannah]

Junipers post, highlighted above, is an excellent start for those new to the immigration process. Just spending time on this site will give you a feel for the whole thing, and the language used etc. Remember too that you can always PM someone who you know has already got PR and ask them questions. I agree the NZ site is busy, but just download the EOI forms and guidance. The evidence you send in just backs up the EOI questions - i.e. you say you have worked for four years ... prove it (job offer letter, payslips or contracts, or letter from your employer etc...). Even with an agent you would still have to locate this information yourself, they can only tell you what to find......and we can all help you with identifying what you need to find as many of us will have been there and done it already.
Good luck!!!!

[Bergita]

When we arrived in NZ as tourists and OH found a job, we just fill up the NZ employer section to complete the EOI.

Which brings me to my next question - what do you say you are in the country to do? We're going to look for a job, on a visitor's visa, how do you tell the truth without getting yourself kicked out?

[High]

Sorry Bergita - I have no idea! I didn't realise you have to give a reason when you go on a visitor's visa!

[Singel]

Which brings me to my next question - what do you say you are in the country to do? We're going to look for a job, on a visitor's visa, how do you tell the truth without getting yourself kicked out?
Bergita, good question.

We fill up the custom form for 3 months stay so the custom staff asked why do we stay so long. On the spot, we have to make up some stories to make him believe that we are genuine tourists :o (we have no relative or friend in NZ). The important thing for the custom is the proving of returned air-tickets. We carried our birth certificates and CVs in our hand luggages and desk-top computer in our large suitcases.

I remember a tv programme about NZ custom and there is this American man came with 11 large suitcases and the custom staff do not believe that he is here on holidays, so he got kicked out.

If you come here as a tourist, you got to behave like a tourist.

[Sarah & Alex]

Agree .. Don't bother with a agent.

We spent ages trying to decide whether to use a agent or DIY, in the end we decided DIY and it was the best decision that we made. It's not that hard to fill out all the forms and if you have any probs then someone on the forum will be able to answer the question.