Timeline....

NZCalling · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:07 am Post subject: Timeline....

Hi All,

After a lot of searching, I found this forum and thank god that I found it. Razz

.
I'am in the process of starting my journey for immigration to NZ. I'am a software engineer and my area of work is Software Quality Assurance.
Can someone on this forum please shed some light on the current IT scenario in NZ?? especially on the Software QA side??
Also, will appreciate if someone can tell me how much time does NZIS takes to complete the processing of a case after accepting EOI??
I have family in NZ, have a masters degree, five+ years of exp. and want to migrate to NZ to be close to family and have a easy and laid back lifestyle.
All help is greatly appreciated. Clapping

Moorf · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:07 am Post subject:

Welcome NZCalling...

Hubby is also a Software Developer typing

and we are off to NZ in Sept jobhunting... it is by far better to be on the ground when looking for jobs - more so it seems for professional positions. You will find that the responses you get when applying from the UK will be "see you when you get here" etc.

With your quals etc I am sure you will get a v. good point score on the EOI and would be picked v. soon - I don't know if you get any extra points for having family already there....

Can't comment on timescale for EOI as we are awaiting selection ourselves Hmmm

Plenty on here have gone through it so expect advice soon Nice One

There's lots of job info on this forum so have a dig around!

Good Luck
Moorf

karltsmith · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:30 pm Post subject:

Hi NZcalling and welcome to the forum! Nice One

Processing times for EOI's vary considerabley depending on where in the world you apply from and the current NZIS work load! Anywhere between 3 weeks and 4 or even 6 months is possible. To use my own case as an illustration once selected we were appointed a case officer in London even though we are now in NZ (I wont go into how this occured it's on another thread) however when iI tried to change this to a local case officer in AKL I was told that it's taking 3-4 months in AKL as oppossed to 3 weeks in London!!!

With family already here you can also explore the family category to bypass the EOI route...at least check if you are eligable by visiting the NZIS website.

Currently you may need a job offer to guarantee selection of your EOI, once selected you have to gather a lot of info to submit when your Invitation to Apply (ITA) arrives. You can certainly be prepared and get the ball rolling by getting you police reports ordered. which are valid for 6 months, career hisory, proof of employment during this time, proof af your relationship with the wife, qualifications (or attested copies of), birth certificates, make sure your passport is valid for a good long period of time as updating new passports with current visas carries a surcharge, etc..etc. With all this prepared ahead of time you are in a good position to move quickly if this is your intention. Do not do medicals until selceted as these have a limited lifespan of only 3 months and can be sorted out within 1 week.

You also need to check your current point score and decide whether or not it would serve your purpose better to come over on a holiday visa to search for a job...in that way as you probably know you will gain an extra 50 points to add to your total.

I'm not sure what your schedule is to get here but the selection point is dropping steadily and you may even get selected without a job offer depending on your total.

I don't think finding A job will be a problem for a person with your skills and experience.....the trick is finding the right job for you in the area you want to live!

Where in NZ are your family?

Karl Nice One

NZCalling · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:10 am Post subject:

Hi Moorf and Karl

Thanks for your prompt response. I really appreciate it.
Well, I'am an Indian citizen and living in USA since last 3 1/2 years. I've been working in the IT sector for over 5 years and have good amount of experience in this line in India as well as in US. Simply put, Life in US is ...Uncertain as far as work is concerned. Also, to be on a work visa and not a permanent resident does not help either.

I have the option to move to Canada as my wife is a permanent resident of canada but I guess NZ score more on all the aspects of a good place to live.... nice people, great weather, easy laid back life etc. whereas in North America, whereever you live....life is so mechanical...no offence to anyone, its just my opinion of life here Shy

My brother lives in Acukland and is there on a LTBV. I already have a job offer in Auckland and my score is in the range of 180-190.
I'am kinda confused at the moment to wheather I should apply for PR under SMC or I should move to NZ on a visitor / work visa and then apply for my PR. This confusion stems in the fact that there is no information on the current processing timeline for SMC.
Would appreciate if you can help me in this regards. Also, if you guys can shed some light on the fact that if I move to NZ on work visa and change my job after sometime, do I need to apply for a new visa and if yes, how easy it is and how much time is involved in processing this.

Waiting for your response.......... counting sheep

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:08 am Post subject:

I can tell you that my husband's 2 year work permit states exactly what his job is and the company that employs him. So he would have to apply for a new permit if he changed jobs. The permit also expires when he leaves NZ so he has to apply for renewal of his permit before he leaves, if going elsewhere on holiday for example.

NZCalling · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:31 am Post subject:

Hi Dave & Sandra

Thanks for your response. I guess its better to go through the PR process rather than the Work Visa path. The only question remains is that how much time it'll take for the process to complete. Nutcase

I sopke to a gentleman in L.A. NZIS and he said that it'll probably take around 6 to 10 weeks for the process to complete after the EOI is selected.

which is not bad considering the fact that it takes more than 18months to finish the process to migrate to canada.
I guess the only way to find out is to take the plunge and hope for the best but ready for the worst. fingers crossed

Once again, thanks for the help. You all are wonderful people. Clapping