[jiyosub]

Hi All,

I have a question. I'm in IT. I'm wonding, do NZ firms really extend job offers to people who are in the process of getting a visa? It must take about 6 months to get the skill migrant visa. Will a firm really wait that long? I was going to wait to get a job until I get to NZ, but if there is actually a good market for getting a job before I get there, then I might try it.

Thanks!

-JZ

[KerryS]

You can always get a work visa, a far easier route to go down. You just need to prove that there are no Kiwis available to do the job. (A page completed by the employer stating they have advertised the job, interviewed and you were the best candidate).
Means your employer doesn't have to wait for months for you to arrive and you can apply for residency with addtional points.
IT is a high demand area at the moment, so you shouldn't have any difficulty in securing a job.
A work visa usually only takes a week or so to process.

[real_sunfire]

It is also worth point out if you skill set is on the absolute skill shortage list a potential employer doesn't have to prove they can't find a KIwi to do the job - NZIS will assume this is the case.

Regarding "visitor visa" candidates - some employers and recruiters will not touch you until you you have PR/work visa unfortunately. The good news is that others will *:) The most important thing is to be in NZ and ready for work. Some people have been offered jobs without being in NZ but most employers and recruiters will just just say to you "let us know when you have arrived in NZ and we'll proceed from there".

It sounds like you have already submitted your ITA (?)., If so you are in a strong position as if an employer does offer you a job you can get NZIS to fast track your PR.

Rgds.,
Nick.

[RJLink]

I could be in the position JZ describes, for a job that is not on the shortage list, so I'm wondering (maybe you know, KerryS):

How hard is it for the employer to prove they can't find a suitable Kiwi for the job? Is this just a pro forma thing, like they sign a paper that says they advertised the job and they want to hire you as the best candidate? Or does NZIS scrutinize this and ask the employer, in effect: Do you mean to say you couldn't find a single Kiwi who was capable of doing that job?

[xanctus]

I think if you're not from the area that the news papers was talking about...it should be OK for you to get a job.
take a look at the link....very interesting indeed....
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/11/story.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10401142

[KerryS]

I could be in the position JZ describes, for a job that is not on the shortage list, so I'm wondering (maybe you know, KerryS):

How hard is it for the employer to prove they can't find a suitable Kiwi for the job? Is this just a pro forma thing, like they sign a paper that says they advertised the job and they want to hire you as the best candidate? Or does NZIS scrutinize this and ask the employer, in effect: Do you mean to say you couldn't find a single Kiwi who was capable of doing that job?


All this info is available on the NZIS website:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/caniworkinnz/whatisrequired/nonewzealandworkers/default.htm

[RJLink]

Thanks, KerryS - that's exactly the info I was looking for.

[NeilV]

dead link :(

[Familyofmonkeys]

Just goes to show it can be done.....we went to the NZ Expo in London in October, and hubby has just been offered a job in IT with one of the contacts made there. We do not have PR visas yet, and cannot go until at least next April as I am pregnant..again.
The feeling we got for the IT market was that if you had PR, they could almost offer you a job there and then if you have the right skills. The only delay hubby got waiting for a job offer was organising references etc. He had a telephone interview the week after the expo and they are happy to wait until we are ready to go, and have offered to assist with visa process if we need any help.

[KerryS]

dead link :(

Not sure what the link was - but it could be one of these, which I 'think' have the same info...

https://immigration.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/immigration.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=123&p_created=1112586253&p_sid=6YiB6tpi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD0xMTkmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N 2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX2ZubCZwX 3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/howdoiapply/generalwork/

They explain the process for a job offer and the employer form that needs to be completed to prove there are no NZers to do the job.

[borea]

My experience is that they won't touch you or talk to you unless you're actually in NZ. As soon as I said I was coming down for a visit, everybody wanted me to come by for a chat while I was in town. I think it showed that I was committed to the move. It was very expensive to come down for a couple weeks, but I think it was critical. If you can't fly down twice, you might plan on coming in on a tourist visa and changing your status once you're here. Others will know more about this.

My company hired me when my EOI was accepted but no other paperwork was done yet. They just hired another guy whose EOI wasn't even submitted yet.

Chris