Emigration & Job advice please!

jodie · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:18 am Post subject: Emigration & Job advice please!

Hello everyone!

I'm after some advice please.

My boyfriend and I are planning on emigrating to New Zealand after exploring the North Island a few years ago on holiday. He has some distant family over there in Orewa, but not close enough to give us any points in the application, so we're hoping to apply through the skilled migrant category. fingers crossed

In order to get enough points, one of us needs to have a job offer, but I'm a bit confused about what to do first!

Do we need to apply first and then get a job offer (a lot of job vacancies state that you will only be considered if you're available for interview in NZ), or get a job offer and then apply (but what company would take on an applicant who didn't have residency...).

Is there any way we could go out for a while and get a job, and then apply for residency and if so, what are the chances of getting it once you're there!!??

Has anybody used an agency, or is it better to do it all yourself? If it is, where do we start looking?

Any advice or experiences would be gratefully received!

Thanks,

Jodie

Moorf · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:54 am Post subject:

Hi Jodie,

I've only just registered with this site was about to post EXACTLY the same question as you.

We are employing an consultant (Maroubra) who will deal with all the visa app's and associated blurb.

We are now wanting to know whether or not we got to NZ for a month and introduce ourselves to recruitment agencies and potentially get some job interviews whilst we are there - or to move out there for 6 months and so the same but with the luxury of time.

Perhaps someone on the forum has experience of using an agency or going direct? Does it entail flying to and from NZ alot or are job offers fast?

Our intended destination is Christchurch or Dunedin (South Island).

I have come across a site which might interest you - we HAVE NOT got to payment stage with them yet as I want to check them out further and also contact some recruitment agencies in NZ to see what they advise.

http://www.newjobz.co.nz/static/welcome.html

It's a difficult one isn't it! We've already sold our house in Scotland and are moving to a flat I own in Worthing, Sussex whilst everything is sorted out!

Keep me in touch with what you discover and I'll do the same!

What type of jobs are you looking for? My hubby is an I.T / Software Engineer and I am a Marketing Consultant so we shall be getting in on his job as I believe it is a priority job type.

All the best fingers crossed

Moorf

Graham Barnes · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 9:54 am Post subject:

I'm afraid it's the old chicken-and-egg problem again! Hmmm

You can't get a work visa without a job offer, so you'll have to find and persuade an employer to offer a position who is willing to wait for the admin to go through. fingers crossed

Might be easier if your occupation is on the POL as employers will (by definition) find it harder to find a suitable person in NZ. This is what we've managed; I'm a secondary science teacher, and have been offered a teaching position in an Auckland boarding school. They're willing to wait until I have got quals/registration sorted....but I think I've been rather lucky with this!! Razz

The Headmaster had a colleague/friend at a UK school who interviewed me in his place. Before that, I had been offered a job at another school after going to an interview whilst I was on holiday there visiting brother (also a teacher). He's currently applying for permanent residence, but because he's on W-2-R, he doesn't need to apply for points etc. Just applies and it seems to be a formality after a certain time. Nice One

We're currently going through quals assessment/registration process, and it is SOOOOOOOOO slow!! So I wouldn't go planning too far ahead!

There are some comments on www.newjobz on another strand...not entirely complementary if I remember correctly!! We're doing all ourselves without a consultant, but then again, our arrangements are fairly straightforward (Job offer on POL=Work to Residence!). Other people may wish/need to call in the professionals!! It just seems to be easier to apply for work visa/work to residance now, and then apply for permanent residence in a couple of years by which time the SMC system has bedded down (or completely changed again!), and we've got NZ work experience.

Graham

Graham Barnes · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 9:56 am Post subject:

Oh and by the way...if you ever end up making any applications for qualification assessment to NZQA, check it over and over again. ANY discrepancies, errors, omissions etc, and they're onto it=lots of delays.
Fast-tracking is VERY recommended...they guarantee 10 working days turnaround, and e-mail you back within 2/3 days if they need any further information.
I 'phoned them up a couple of times to get advice from the horse's mouth, and found this quite useful. Try and get hold of Meg Jamieson (QES liaison officer) who was very helpful.

Graham

jodie · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 6:41 am Post subject:

Hi Moorf,

Glad to know there's someone else in the same position - it's all so confusing!!

We are also thinking of going over there for a while to look for jobs (I'm a web designer and my partner is in IT, so both of us are on the POL list) so whichever of us gets a job will be the main applicant.

I've read a few other posts and wondered if we did go over there on a work permit and got a job, how long could we stay for? And I'm also a bit confused about how WTR works. Can anyone clarify this one for me please??

So when are you moving to Worthing and how long are you planning on being there for?

In case you are around, there's an Emigration show called Emigrate 2004 in Surrey on 19 - 21 March which we're going to go to. The NZ Embassy will apparantly be holding a seminar to answer any questions which could be helpful.

Let me know how you get on and I'll keep you updated with any info I find out too.

Fingers crossed!

Jodie

Moorf · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:48 am Post subject:

Hi Jodie

Spookily enough my hubby is also in IT and I am a Marketing Consultant - so like you we are pretty sure we have the right skills. I saw another post on this forum whereby someone applied direct to potential employers and had very good responses. We are going to try this first off. We plan to visit NZ for 3/4 weeks in late May/June and hope to arrange any interviews during that time or at least speak with employers and/or recruitment agencies.

We currently run our own business but it seems easier to get in on a WTR permit with a job on the POL but as we design and sell our own software online we can carry this on in our spare time until such time comes that we can start a business in NZ.

Re Worthing: I own a property there - a small flat compared to our 4bed place here in Scotland - which I usually rent out - we sold our house within 2 days (it sold last Wednesday) and are going to stay at my flat - are you near Worthing?

Basically that will be our base whilst we job hunt and do the visa app's etc and then we'll rent it out again when we settle in NZ.

What part of NZ are you looking at? We are searching around Christchurh / Dunedin - we don't want to compromise as are we so used to the countryside and slow place of living here in Scotland that we're not keen on Auckland/Wellington hustle and bustle!! Mind you, we could be proved wrong after our visit!

How old are you both if you don't mind me asking - just that many of our friends and age group seem to be making the same move right now - we're 35 & 36!

Anyway, we're moving down for April 16th to Worthing so if you're nearby perhaps we can meet up for a bevvy and chat about progress etc.

Best wishes
Moorf (Helen)

jodie · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 8:53 pm Post subject:

Hi Helen,

It sounds as though we ARE in spookily similar situations! I have been running my own web design business for almost a year now and like you, plan to take it to NZ with me and set up over there eventually, but it does seem easier to go through the WTR rather than the 'Entrepreneur' way through the points application. (I've heard that through this route, you have to be turning over a certain amount of money at the end of 3 years and employing a number of NZ employees - what happens if it all goes wrong and it isn't successful for any reason? After all, us Brits no very little about Business in NZ - I imagine there a few differences than over here!)

We are looking at moving to Auckland as we liked it so much when we visited there, but if one of us gets a job offer in Wellington or anywhere else on the North Island, that's where we'll go to start with. Once we're in, we can then move around as much as we want (well, that's what I assume...). We live in Poole now (so not that far from Worthing - we should meet up when your down this way) but I'm originally from Bristol and Darren's originally from Exeter, so we do like to be close to a big city or town (Southampton's only 1/2 hour drive from here).

I'm 22 and Darren is 24, and we both finished Uni in the last few years, but I've found it really hard to get a job in web design as there's not much around. Looking on job sites for NZ, I've seen twice as many jobs advertised that I could apply for than I've seen advertised over here since I finished Uni 2 years ago! (That's why I started out on my own.) But we both think that now is the best time to do this, cos although we have our own flat, there's nothing else to tie us here at the moment. And if it doesn't work out, we can always come back and start here again! (Although I know this would be really difficult and I can't really see me wanting to leave NZ once I'm over there, but you never know do you?)

Let me know when you're around this neck of the woods and we can meet up for a drink or two! (Unless you are thinking of going to that Emigrate 2004 show next weekend - in which case we'll see you there!)

Take care,
Jodie Nice One

jodie · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 8:58 pm Post subject:

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the advice. You said that you can't get a work visa without a job offer - how did you manage to get yours? Was it through contacts that your brother has over there? And once you did get a job offer, what did you have2 do first in the visa application? When do you need to get your quals looked etc.

Sorry if I'm sounding a bit stupid, but it's all such a lot to get my little brain around! Thank goodness for sites like these where other people have/are going through the same thing! Clapping

Jodie

Graham Barnes · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:25 am Post subject:

Hi Jodie,

No problem; I was in the same position as you a year ago (just starting out), and it is a steep learning curve!

I just got lucky I suppose with my job offers, but working in a shortage area certainly helped (I'm a secondary Physics teacher)
All NZ teaching positions are advertised on a www.edgazette.govt.nz, and I just applied for those I liked the look of. I presume there are similar websites for other careers and employers, and you could have a look for recruitment agencies. Having my brother over there also helped, because he could give me the low-down on schools and areas.
My first offer was from Auckland Grammar a year ago, where the Head has a policy of looking to the UK for teaching staff...but being available for interview whilst on a NZ holiday must be helped. Unfortunately had to turn it down though because lack of teaching qualification!
After getting a PGCE, I was offered my second position just before Christmas after telephone interviews, and meeting a UK Headmaster who is an ex-colleague of the NZ Principal. They were the only school out of 6 applications who showed any interest! It's a bit of a "specialist" school (all boys and boarding, independent) which fits where I have lots of UK experience.

I suppose the moral of the story is to keep looking, keep applying and sooner or later, you will find a employer which is a good "fit". But I certainly think I was fortunate in finding mine relatively quickly.

Once you get the job offer, the batting order is:
1. Get qualifications assessed (NZQA...website is www.nzqa.govt.nz; you need the Qualifications Evaluation Service who assess overseas qualifications for NZ equivalency). Be warned...they are very picky, and you must ensure that their requirements are followed to the letter. Fast tracking strongly recommended.
You can apply for quals assessment at any time, without any offer. I suppose it might help you get your foot in the door if this has been done already, because the potential employer knows where they stand with you.

2. Professional registration; whether you need this depends on what you are doing. There is a list on www.immigration.govt.nz somewhere.
Teacher's Council require NZQA report before they can process applications.

3. Apply for work visa/WTR/residency. The first two are done in London and are much quicker than the third. Secondary teachers are on the POL so the best approach is WTR which leads to residency after two years (you do not go through the points system). Any partner also gets an open-ended work visa when the principal application has his/hers granted.

Hope this all helps. I suppose that your own route depends on individual circumstances, but there are certainly common hoops which need to be jumped by everyone!

Graham

jodie · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:29 am Post subject:

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the guide to what happened in your case. I'm starting to contact recruitment agencies now and get the ball rolling. I spoke to an agency this morning and asked for some advice, and they said that because of our ages (ie under 31) he suggests that we get a working holiday visa and get over there asap and look for jobs. Then once one of us (or both hopefully!) get a relevant job, apply for a permanent visa cos the working holiday is only valid for 12 months. I suppose then he means WTR, but I think I'll have to get this clarified...

I've spoken to 2 agencies now and neither has suggested a normal work visa (I understand that this is valid for 3 years....) - is this the route your brother went down? You said he's on WTR and if it is, how long did he wait until he applied for permanent resdency, or is it just a natural progression and almost guaranteed to be granted?

Jodie

hede · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:52 am Post subject:

Hi Jodie!

We are also in the same position as you are. Except that we have already made up our mind and we are leaving Sweden on April 5.

We have signed a contract with an immigration consultant. They are very professional and helpful with all our questions. We talked to him about three weeks ago, right after the first pool draw (the draw made us so depressed...) and he gave us the following advice: don't apply for residency right now. Come here, get a job and I will help you to get a work permit. That will last for 2-3 years and during that period the points will change and he will help us to apply for residency later.

Auckland here we come!

hede

Graham Barnes · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 6:22 am Post subject:

Hi y'all

We're doing WTR, mainly because teachers can't get PR until you get full registration with the Teacher's Council which takes up to 2 years. Brother has been in NZ for nearly two years now, on a WTR visa which lasts for 30 months. WTR does exactly what it says on the tin...residency comes automatically (assuming continuing employment, good health and character etc) without needing the points. He is currently going through this process at the moment.
Whether you can get a WTR visa depends on your job; if you're not on the POL or OSL, you have to apply for a regular wprk visa and your employer will also need to complete a labour survey for the NZ authorities before a visa is issued. If you are on a list, then WTR is far preferable to a standard work visa because it naturally progresses towards residency.

I don't know much about working holiday visas, but thought you had to be early-20's for them??

The Protea website looks very professional, and I've used it in the past to get lots of useful information. They seem to give it to you straight...Good newsletters too!

Graham

danno · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:20 am Post subject: re:emigrate 2004

Hi, this is our first time participating on the forum.I would appreciate it if anyone could give me details on the emigrate 2004 seminars in surrey. We are living in manchester at the moment but would like to move to New Zealand.

jodie · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:29 am Post subject:

Hi Danno,

The Emigrate 2004 show is at Sandown racecourse from 19th March - 21st March. Have a look at their website - www.emigrate2004.co.uk

See you there!

Jodie
Nice One

jodie · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:31 am Post subject:

Hi Hede,

Who is the immigration consultant that you have spoken to? We would like a bit more advice too!

Thanks,

Jodie