The Current Plan

abesrve · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 41

OK, here's my current plan/timescale. Right now, I can get 105 points on the EOI. This is too low at the moment but expectations are for the threshold to drop. If the points do fall and nothing changes I will submit an EOI in Nov/Dec. If I'm accepted during period December - Feb then cool, I will complete my application for PR. If the EOI lapses then I will make plans to travel across under a WHV after July. That will give me 4 months to get everything (rent the flat here, make sure bills are paid etc) tied up here before going across.

When I get to NZ in August/September, I will look for temporary work, hopefully skilled to help boost my points for next EOI application. I will wait a couple of months, settle in and then start looking for a permanent position. If I can secure a job offer, I will resubmit an EOI, hopefully with about 180 points (job offer, being there, work experience) and wait for that to process. This, I think, should take little time.

If after 8 months in the country I don't have any job offers I will resubmit my EOI anyway (again, I should have more points for being there and some work experience) meaning that my EOI would lapse just as I was preparing to come back to the UK anyway. So, with no offer to apply, I'd return with hopefully a bundle of points that would allow me to submit an EOI when the points were dipping again and hopefully get accepted.

Are there any holes in this plan or have I greatly strayed from the reality of the situation? Comments are welcomed...

evelynne_r · I Like It Here Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 94

Hi Moorf,

Sounds good - the only thing to be aware of is that to gain bonus points for NZ work experience, you have to have been there and working in the same skilled job for over a year (to go from 50 to 60 points) or for over two years generally. Just being and working in NZ for less than a year doesn't actually gain you any points at all except in terms of general work experience. Believe me, I tried it <g> I'd been in NZ for a year, but couldn't claim those extra 10 points for a job offer in NZ for over 12 months because I'd not been in the same job for a year.

Also be aware that it may take you some time to find skilled employment. If you're close to gaining extra points for 2 - 10 years' work experience and you're in a skilled job at home, you may be better to wait until you've done that.

Good luck

Evelynne

Moorf · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:20 am Post subject:

Not me!!

evelynne_r · I Like It Here Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 94

Oops, sorry Moorf and abserve - obviously too early in the morning for me <g>

abesrve · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 41

Lisa.C · I Like It Here Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 75

Hi Abserve,

That sounds very similar to our plan, if we have enough points by the time we are due to leave, we plan to go the residence route, if not we will go out on a visitor visa, secure work and then apply for residency. fingers crossed

What sort of work are you looking for and where in NZ do you plan to settle?

abesrve · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 41

Hi Lisa,

I'm going to be looking for IT work. I'm not really 'specialised' and will be looking for helpdesk/support/rollout work. My g/f will be looking for admin/HR work. We like the look of Whakatane or anywhere around the Bay of Plenty. If we get offered residency around December we will go directly there as we will be selling up and will have some money to support ourselves while we get jobs sorted out etc.

However, if we don't get offered residency and have to go the WHV route we will maybe consider other locations where work will be more 'available', especially contract stuff. This being the case we may well be looking at Christchurch as that seems a popular area and seems to have a lot of work available.

Lisa.C · I Like It Here Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 75

Good luck, i hope it all works out for you.

We have been getting this house ready for sale, you know those jobs that we never usually get round to, i have been worried about timescales lately, i.e the best time to sell a house (slow in the winter) and expensive for a family of four to fly out too, i'm sure we'll come up with a plan or things will just drop into place, it's quite a stressful buisness, all this immigration lark, so much to consider. Confused

Moorf · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:38 am Post subject:

Hey Ab

From experience you won't find much at all around the Bay of Plenty area in terms of IT work - many Aucklanders are moving out to areas like that and IT jobs are v. hard to come by.

Christchurch is a better bet, failing that.. Wellington... or ultimately Auckland - bear in mind the millions of Aussies also going for IT jobs in NZ ... whatever you read, competition for IT jobs is fierce Hmmm

Having said that, being "on the ground" seems to be a distinct advantage... Yes

abesrve · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 41

Moorf, thanks for the info. We will base our decision on the best availability of jobs at the time. I believe that Christchurch will be a good bet. Ultimately, Whakatane is our preferred location. We will end up there eventually.

Lisa, we are about to start getting things in order to rent/sell depending on the outcome of application. I'm sure things will work out and if not we may have to consider our options with other countries. Hopefully, this time next year, we'll be getting ready to go to NZ.