[shakyle2906]

HI


We are going out to NZ as 'holidaymakers' like a lot of you have done ...

Hubby has a job to go to, so once we get out there, he will have to apply for work permit (will be based in Hawkes Bay, Napier)

How long does it take to get one sorted ?? I have been told matter of days ?

Sharon

[wilson182]

Hi Sharon

In Christchurch we just went downt he the NZIS early and got in the queue. We managed to see an immigration officer, had all the paperwork they needed and got it issued there and then.

[shakyle2906]

Hi Sharon

In Christchurch we just went downt he the NZIS early and got in the queue. We managed to see an immigration officer, had all the paperwork they needed and got it issued there and then.


What sort of documentation did you need to take with you ??
I was thinking proof of qualifications, employers, etc ??
Did you go over like us as holidaymakers ??

Sharon
x

[eternalkiwi]

You can call into the immigration office and they will check that you have all the information they asked for in the Work Permit Application form. They mainly look for evidence of skills, qualifications, experience of applicant, details about company, role and required skills and experience (depending on the role and company evidence of recruitment process may also be needed).

If you have all the information Immigration require they will issue the permit on the spot, otherwise they will tell you what other info they need and once you have this information you can return and hopefully satisfy them second time round.

Shawn

[wilson182]

Hi Sharon

As above really, you will need your certificates, proof of work experience ie letters of reference, and a work contract. If you check on the website it will tell you what the contract needs to have, from memory it needs to state that it is permanent, hours, job title, job description. If your job is not on the skilled shortage list they may require a labour survey.

Yes, we came over in May 2004 as holidaymakers for four weeks. We checked out New Plymouth, Dunedin and Christchurch and decided to settle in chch. On the thrid week we phoned a couple of places from the yellow pages, OH went for an interview
and got offered the job, it was then a mad dash for, Work Permit, Somewhere to live, car, computer etc. Me and the Kids went back to the UK to rent the house for a year and we arrived back full time in Oct 04......

Not quite on a wing and a prayer as some people do it........

Best of luck

Debs xx

[Carey]

Sharon,
May be a silly question but how did your OH get a job without a work permit or PR? And once you get there and get work permit how long does that let you stay in NZ? And what about you, can you work on back of OH's permit?
We are caught in the 'chicken and egg' problem at the moment, can't submit EOI as not enough points without job offer and can't get job offer coz no PR.
Good luck, we'll be checking out Hawkes Bay when we visit in March.

[shakyle2906]

Sharon,
May be a silly question but how did your OH get a job without a work permit or PR? And once you get there and get work permit how long does that let you stay in NZ? And what about you, can you work on back of OH's permit?
We are caught in the 'chicken and egg' problem at the moment, can't submit EOI as not enough points without job offer and can't get job offer coz no PR.
Good luck, we'll be checking out Hawkes Bay when we visit in March.


We had his Cv put on a joinery website and had loads of emails from that, which resulted in a few phoning us dirct also. He had had two job offers to date with another third one interested.
I understand the work permit would last for 2 years, in which we would then have to get the money together to apply for PR. From what i have been advised, i would get an 'open' work visa and our little one a student visa.
The reason we are going as holiday makers is that a) need to get there by end of March/beg April and b) not enough money to do PR from here.

Sharon
x

[alan999]

Sharon,
May be a silly question but how did your OH get a job without a work permit or PR? And once you get there and get work permit how long does that let you stay in NZ? And what about you, can you work on back of OH's permit?
We are caught in the 'chicken and egg' problem at the moment, can't submit EOI as not enough points without job offer and can't get job offer coz no PR.
Good luck, we'll be checking out Hawkes Bay when we visit in March.

Although you can't start work without PR or a work visa, you can get a job offer which enables you to apply.

[vixxann]

We had his Cv put on a joinery website and had loads of emails from that, which resulted in a few phoning us dirct also. He had had two job offers to date with another third one interested.


Sharon - sent you PM

[willowshouse]

Although it is not relevant to your case I thought I'd mention this for the benefit of others checking this forum for info ('cos we have a lot of lurkers who ask no questions!)

If you need a work permit in Auckland you will not get it issued immediately - you will not even be allowed to speak to anyone in person about your permit (other than for basic advice) - they only deal with written applications. They quoted me 2 - 4 weeks.

Dawn

[alan999]

Although it is not relevant to your case I thought I'd mention this for the benefit of others checking this forum for info ('cos we have a lot of lurkers who ask no questions!)

If you need a work permit in Auckland you will not get it issued immediately - you will not even be allowed to speak to anyone in person about your permit (other than for basic advice) - they only deal with written applications. They quoted me 2 - 4 weeks.

Dawn

They told me Hamilton is a lot quicker but applying in the UK is even quicker which I am doing, was told about 2 weeks but into the second week and heard nothing. Since found out there is an office in Manukau (south Auckland) but didn't follow this up so don't know if it's just a branch of Auckland or independant with its own waiting time.

[shakyle2906]

Since first thread posted, things have changed!

We have decided to apply for the visa's over here, as found out we cant ship items over without these. We needed Stevens tools which really didnt feel like lugging on the plane and some of our little boys toys, I couldnt see him with no toys, its been hard enought staring to pack bits up and the teasr have already flown with him as he doent understand, he is just 4 1/2.

NZ House were very kind, even though i spent the best part of 17 mins on the phone £17 in money too!!

All thats holding us up now is that Stevens prospective employers have to fill out a supplimentary evidence form that has to be mailed over, but was told i could forward on our applications with a covering letter and it would take about 2 weeks.

I mentioned that i was due to fly out in 7 weeks and was assured this would be ok and to mention this too.

Now our minds are working more overtime, I find myself not sleeping and have all kinds of things running around in my head!! Also, the added pressure of Stevens parent s still not knowing, since we booked flights and made decision to go over, his dad was rushed into hospital critically ill with a heart attack and double pneumonia, which makes us feel twice as bad as the news will hit them both more so than ever!!

Sharon:wah

[alan999]

||

[Mexican in NZ]

OMG Sharon!
I hope your OH father gets better soon and that everything goes well in ur move.
Wish you the best with all my heart.
God Bless,
Adriana

[KerryS]

They told me Hamilton is a lot quicker but applying in the UK is even quicker which I am doing, was told about 2 weeks but into the second week and heard nothing. Since found out there is an office in Manukau (south Auckland) but didn't follow this up so don't know if it's just a branch of Auckland or independant with its own waiting time.

All the Auckland offices have a central documentation processing unit - so all documentation is sent to one place, where it is verified, and then allocated to the appropriate office... Very time consuming and beauracratic, but that's govt depts for you!

Sharon - I hope you get your visa soon. And that your father in law makes a swift recovery.
If you need to contact NZIS again, there is an alternative number which doesn't charge the 1 pound a minute. I'll try and find it for you...

[Jezza]

Don't want to hijack Sharon's thread - and good luck with it all BTW - but the work permit chicken/egg scenario is one I'm still not clear on.

Perhaps this is a very silly question, but is it possible to apply for a work permit without a job offer? All the jobs I see that I could apply for state that you must be eligible to work in NZ for your application to be considered. So how do you apply without a permit?

[alan999]

Don't want to hijack Sharon's thread - and good luck with it all BTW - but the work permit chicken/egg scenario is one I'm still not clear on.

Perhaps this is a very silly question, but is it possible to apply for a work permit without a job offer? All the jobs I see that I could apply for state that you must be eligible to work in NZ for your application to be considered. So how do you apply without a permit?

As far as I see it there is no chicken/ egg situation


You need a job offer before applying for a permit, and without a permit you cannot work.

However, working and having a job offer are two different things. The employer can make you an offer of employment, then you apply for a permit to make you "eligible to work in NZ", then you can take up your post.

This way can upset how you time things to go over because while the employer is aware of how long it takes to process the permit and will hold the job open, it is my experience that he isn't willing to wait much longer.

Our solution to this is that I am willing to go over as soon as I am able to work, my wife and the rest will follow when the time is right and the house sold.

Alan

[stu70]

All the Auckland offices have a central documentation processing unit - so all documentation is sent to one place, where it is verified, and then allocated to the appropriate office... Very time consuming and beauracratic, but that's govt depts for you!



I concur, the ways in which govts work (or do not), it is nothing but annoying and frustrating. But comments about govt are known to upset some folks on the forum. :nice1
Cheers

[Jezza]

You need a job offer before applying for a permit, and without a permit you cannot work.

However, working and having a job offer are two different things. The employer can make you an offer of employment, then you apply for a permit to make you "eligible to work in NZ", then you can take up your post.



OK, cheers for clearing that up.

[Angelonthemove]

Not sure if its changed but we came over in Aug 06 with NO job offer and no work permit.

We shipped our goods as we left Cyprus, then got jobs offers after 2 weeks in NZ, then work permits in 2 hours at Wellington office.

Our goods were addressed to the shipping agents depot here (she did not see a problem). Once we showed them our work permits they changed it to our home address. It took 6 weeks or more to ship so we had time to get the relevant work permits. Not sure what would have happened if we had not got jobs in time. I think imigrations take the rules more seriously if you ask them. There are ways round it as we found out.

You could put your goods into storage and get them sent once you have your work permits if you do not want to take the gamble. Or asjk about storage here if you have not got your permits in time.

[shakyle2906]

Not sure if its changed but we came over in Aug 06 with NO job offer and no work permit.

We shipped our goods as we left Cyprus, then got jobs offers after 2 weeks in NZ, then work permits in 2 hours at Wellington office.

Our goods were addressed to the shipping agents depot here (she did not see a problem). Once we showed them our work permits they changed it to our home address. It took 6 weeks or more to ship so we had time to get the relevant work permits. Not sure what would have happened if we had not got jobs in time. I think imigrations take the rules more seriously if you ask them. There are ways round it as we found out.

You could put your goods into storage and get them sent once you have your work permits if you do not want to take the gamble. Or asjk about storage here if you have not got your permits in time.

We were told by shipping company that we couldnt ship anything over unless had a visa, this is why we have had to apply last minute!
They say allow three weeks, we fly in five ..... getting bit scary now!
Sharon