Work to Residence as a musician - query

lo beam

Hi everybody!
I'm new to the board, but from what I've read so far it seems like a friendly place to be, & many of the posts concerning reasons why a lot of you guys are moving from the UK I can totally empathise with!
Here's my situation - I'm currently living & working in the UK as a musician/singer/songwriter. I have a publishing deal with a London-based music publisher & make a living playing live & selling/licensing my music through the publisher.
For many reasons I feel it's time to continue my career away from England & NZ seems perfect.
Now, as I understand it from the Immigration website - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ - , there is a special provision made in the Work Permit application scheme that caters for artists, sportsmen, musicians, etc. who are recognised in their particular field & will enrich NZs' cultural life
I think it allows you to stay for up to 30 months & work whilst you are in NZ.
If anyone could shed further light on this method of applying for a work permit, and/or point out anything else that may be useful for me to know, I'd be very grateful.

Regards

Dave.[/url]

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Dave,

I was in a band for five years - came close to signing with Polydor, but that never came through in the end. We may not have been talented, but we looked good. Mr. Green

Seriously, though- I don't know much about the category of immigration you want to apply under - but at NZIS it states that: "You may be eligible under this policy if you:

are aged 55 years or under, and

satisfy the NZIS you have exceptional talent in a declared field of art, culture, or sport as described below, and

are sponsored by a New Zealand organisation of national repute in your declared field"

So it appears that you have to be sponsored by:

"a New Zealand organisation that has a nationally recognised record of excellence in a field of art, culture, or sport; or

a New Zealand organisation that has a nationally recognised record of excellence in fostering exceptional talent in a field of art, culture, or sport."

I don't know if you already have such a sponsorship? I wouldn't know where to find a list of such organizations, but perhaps an immigration consultant, or maybe even your agent could help you with that?

lo beam · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 12:34 am Post subject:

Thanks Charlotte!

Yeah - that clause seems a little vague.
And most likely hard to accomplish from outside NZ - I wonder if I managed to get on the books of a reputable management company , that would count as sponsorship through a nationally recognised organisation?
Or do they mean some kind of official set-up?
I'm pretty sure I can satisfy the other requirements straight away.

Then again, maybe it'd be best to get a visitors' visa, come over & try & arrange the relevant sponsorship whilst in NZ & then apply for a work permit.

Well - nobody said it would be easy!

Cheers.

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Yeah, I would say a visitors visa is the best bet. You can stay for nine months, and that should be long enough to set up a sponsorship agreement with a NZ management company.

My guess is that a good management company in NZ would have a working relationship with an immigration lawyer, who could clarify the sponsorship stuff, and probably take care of the paperwork.

Good luck, and keep us all posted! Nice One

lo beam · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 2:38 am Post subject:

Thanks.
Incidentally, if I do come to NZ as a visitor from the UK, would it be best to apply for a Visa once I'm there ( I understand that British citizens may travel without a visa & be granted one on arrival which lets you stay for up to 6 months) or sort it out beforehand?
Cheers!
Dave.

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

As a visitor from the UK, you can stay up to three months on a visa waiver, the NZIS site says:

"If you are a visa waiver visitor you must:

hold a valid ticket to a country you have the right of entry to; and

have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay; and

hold a passport valid for three months beyond the date you are leaving New Zealand; and

only wish to visit New Zealand for the time granted on arrival (if you wish to visit for a longer period you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa)".

You could apply for a visitors visa before you leave, but I think it's just as easy to get one if you're already in NZ. NZIS states that:

"You may apply for a Visitor's Permit if:

you are in New Zealand as a visitor and wish to stay longer; or

you are a worker and wish to holiday after your employment; or

you are a student and wish to holiday after your course."

So from what I can tell - you could do it either way! You can stay in NZ for nine months, so that should easily be enough time to get any sponsorship sorted.

lo beam · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 5:18 am Post subject:

So, I can just turn up with my passport ( and enough $ to sustain me for at least 3 months?) then?
That sounds like the easiest option - and I'll bet it's cheaper to apply for the extended visitors visas & work permits once you're there too eh?
Thanks for the help.
Dave.

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Well - what I would do is buy a return ticket for three months (and have proof available of sufficient funds for a three month stay.)

Then once you are there, start networking and contacting the management companies. After a month or two, you can apply for a visitors permit, and extend your stay for a further six months (You may be expected to show that you have funds available for your stay, I'm not sure).

That six month period should easily be long enough for a company to be interested in you, and then they will probably have experience in bringing artists from abroad into NZ, so I'm guessing they'll be handling the paperwork from there.