A Good Scenario?

Moorf · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:28 pm Post subject: A Good Scenario?

OK, I need to break things down into simple steps... is this the scenario we are looking at if we want to work permanently in NZ:

1. We apply for Work Visa. (only 2 of us - mid 30's) I am told that this can be obtained within 4-6 wks when doing it yourself here in UK.

2. We get a Visa - or at least my hubby does (which means I just go on a Visitor Visa whilst he's looking for jobs? Or, because we are married, do we have to go on the same visa type?) Confused

3. We go to NZ for 3 months to look for jobs.

4. One of us gets a job (prob hubby as he is in IT)

5. As soon as job offered we begin the Work to Residence process? Otherwise, why would employer employ someone for a permanent job of they thought that they may not get a Work Visa renewed?

Is that it in a nutshell or am I missing something? I am just trying to get my head round it in plain thinking!! I have just scanned the Application to Work in NZ and it looks straight forward enough to me Hmmm

Thanks
Moorf

Jenkins · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 3:58 pm Post subject:

Ho Moorf,

First of all, a Work Visa is granted only if there is an actual job offer. You can go to NZ on a holiday visa then scout for a job. The spouse also gets a work visa if the husband/wife already has one (no need for spouse to have a job offer)

Now, if you already have a job offer, you may file your EOI to get a Residence visa. The offer is worth 50 to 55 points.

Hope that helps

Moorf · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:43 am Post subject:

What about Work Permit as opposed to Work Visa?

Any different in terms of employers interest in interviewing?

Graham Barnes · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:16 am Post subject:

Hi Moorf,

I always found the different between Permit and Visa confusing!!
I think a visa allows you to enter NZ to work, and when you arrive at entry point, you get a permit endorsement in your passport from immigration which actually allows you start work.

But the bottom line is, Jenkins is right. You've got this the wrong way around. You can't enter NZ to work without a work visa/permit. Strictly speaking, you can't go on a NZ holiday (UK residents need no permit/visa to enter for 6 months) to look for work, but I think some manage to do this anyway.
You need to get a job offer FIRST, before being issued with ANY work permit/visa. This can be problem because many NZ employers are not willing to wait for overseas people to go through the system.
If you can persuade an employer to employ you and wait, you get a permit for that specific job (after a Labour Survey is done) and spouse gets an open-ended permit. I don't think both of you are allowed to just turn up in NZ with open-ended permits to look for any work position.

Work to Residence is only for jobs for which there is a local or national ongoing shortage of NZ people. Check www.immigration.govt.nz for updated lists. Otherwise its a case of renewing work visas when they run out, or applying for PR before going out. We're going out on WTR (I'm a teacher with a job offer), which leads onto residence anyway. For standard work visas, it might be better to apply for PR in NZ after a couple of years' local experience (more points), by which time the new SMC system should have settled down (or changed again!!)

P.S. the Labour Survey checks that there is no NZ applicant who could do the job instead of you. Not needed for POL, OSL or accredited businesses.

Hope this helps.
Graham

Moorf · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:59 am Post subject:

My head hurts....

How on earth does my hubby - whose profession is on the POL - get a job without a permit? It just doesn't make sense???

Graham Barnes · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:30 am Post subject:

You need to find an employer who is willing to offer you a job, and will wait for you to go through qual. assessment and visa applications.
Once you have written evidence of a genuine offer of employment, you can apply for a work permit. This should not be a problem on the POL, because the NZ employer will not need to justify employing a non-NZer.

Graham

Moorf · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:16 am Post subject:

OK, but what visa/permit do we require in order to go to NZ in the first place to organise job interviews?

Sorry if I sound a bit dim Embarassed

Moorf

Graham Barnes · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 5:46 am Post subject:

I don't think there is a "Work Search visa" any more Confused

. If I'm right on this (?), you can either
a) Get a job in NZ from UK. You could try cold-calling, scatter-gunning CVs, using employment agencies...Difficult, as some employers will not wait for visas, or want to meet in person.
b) Go there "on holiday" for up to 6 months, and job search whilst there. Technically, not allowed but some people seem to get away with it somehow Nice One

.

(I think there used to be a work search visa, but it has been withdrawn. But I might be wrong...does anyelse know? If it does exist, this is what you'll be after!)

Graham

lesly · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:26 am Post subject:

Hi,
Sorry to be the one bringing the bad news, but the work search visa has been withdrawn Sad

Me, my husband and the children will try the "holiday" method!
Good luck to you,
cheers, Lesly

susanlin · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:57 am Post subject:

Hi Moorf

Work visa allows you to travel to NZ. At passport control, you will then be issued with a work permit in your passport. You can then legally work in NZ for the length of time permit granted for (my case 2 and 1/2 years)

You can't get a work visa without a job offer first. I know this from experience! I wanted a work visa to get out to NZ to look for nursing jobs but have had to get a job first. Took a bit of organising but finally got a job and my employer was happy to wait whilst I went through the process of applying to NZIS for visa.

If your partner is lucky enough to find an employer willing to hold a job open whilst the visa application goes through, then it will be straightforward enough I imagine. If his job is on the POL then all the better.

Best of luck