[Rachel]

:roll HI this is my first posting, so here goes.
I am a pharmacist in UK married with 2 kids( 5 and 3). It all seems very
confusing and really don't know where to start.

I would love to make the dream of NZ life a reality. So any help would be great. Especially if you are a pharmacist and have been through the process.

Look forward to hearing from you :raebanana

[The Hodges]

First of all, http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs060.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org).

I'm not a a pharmacist, so I can't help directly on that one, but I seem to remember that Questor (aka Jon) is a pharmacist, so if you don't get a reply to this, trying pming him.

While regard of where to start, this forum is a pretty good place, so you've done a right thing there.

Also, I assume that you've visited and registered with http://www.immigration.govt.nz, which is another good source of information. I assume that if you apply, you'll be doing so under the skilled migrant category. There is a free points checker here (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/), although this isn't the only migrant route, the others (working visa etc) are explained on the website. If you have any queries once you've read it all (or even if you have difficultly navigating through the site, because it is difficult), post your queries.

I also assume that you have visited NZ at some point and will be happy with the lifestyle. Just to you let you know NZ is not eutopia, but it is pretty close. If you use the search function on this forum, it will throw up some useful threads for you to read, but I would recommend that you visit and do a reckie if you can, even if it to decide where you would like to end up.

And finally, perhaps the most import bit of advice at the beginning, don't bother going to a migrant agent, as between the forum and the NZIS website, you can do it all yourself.

Anyway, I hope that this is a good starting point for you, and if you need any more advice, please post your queries on the forum.

And http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs003.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[pinkpiggy]

Hi Rachel,

Just wanted to say welcome to the forum. Just to add to what The Hodges have said, if you are looking for something in particular try using the search facility at the top of the screen. If not, feel free to ask away. :)

[Avalon]

:roll HI this is my first posting, so here goes.
I am a pharmacist in UK married with 2 kids( 5 and 3). It all seems very
confusing and really don't know where to start.

I would love to make the dream of NZ life a reality. So any help would be great. Especially if you are a pharmacist and have been through the process.

Look forward to hearing from you :raebanana
Welcome,

Im an ex- pharmacist. Decided not to register here and get out of the job. But Questor and K-k bot got NZ registration last year and are working in the KApiti area. Ive not met Jon yet - but Karen I meet with regularly alone with Jons OH and smiler - so if you are going to be down the lower half of north Island - you would be welcome to join us :)

Hxxx

[Questor]

Hello! Welcome to the madhouse :)

As Helen and The Hodges said, I am a pharmacist, and we emigrated from the UK in July last year. The process is (usually, but the issues we had hopefully aren't normal) fairly straightforward in terms of the visa - I won't go into that because there are better people to explain all that than me. What I can help with is the pharmacy side of things.

Assuming you're working full time in the UK at the minute then you should have no trouble registering over here. put simply, you need to complete 4 weeks of supervised work (kinda like your pre-reg again, but without any of the horrid evidence gathering), have a law and ethics interview (dead easy) and then (this is new since I did it) complete a structured clinical exam, which is similar to what NZ interns (pre reg) have to complete to register. You can't really start the process before you get out here, except to get a letter of good standing from the RPSGB (which I believe they charge for now!!) You will need this letter for your immigration application, to show that you are eligible to register with the Pharmacy Council, which is the regulatory body.
A summary of that with much better English :) is available here http://www.pharmacycouncil.org.nz/pharmacists/registration/registration_overseas_uk.asp

Re-reading that it sounds like an awful lot, but it really isn't as hard as it sounds. With the fact you're a pharmacist, and I'm assuming you have at least 3/4 years experience, you stand a good chance of being selected seeing as pharmacy is in the Long Term Skills Shortage list.

If you'd like any more info by all means send me a PM or an email, I'd be more than happy to help

Jon :)

[Rachel]

:yes Hi, thanks for reply

Yes I have worked in the Uk for 10 years but currently work 24 hours. Do you go for a work visa first or a residence visa? I've applied for the letter of good standing and the English exam, so when I get that I can apply for the compentancy exam. It does sound scarry but I can't wait.

My kids keep on asking when are we moving!!

[Questor]

You apply for residence, but you'll get a Work to Residence visa until you register and have been working for 3 months

silly question - is your first language not English? If it is, then you won't have to have the English exam

also, apply for your police certificates when your EOI is selected - they can take a while :)

[kimandgareth]

Hi Rachel

Just wanted to say hello and welcome :) We're also new and learning so I'm sorry we can't offer a lot of strong advice at the moment, but there are lots of knowledgable folks on here who I know will help out :nice1