Work Visa

samueljim · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 10:17 am Post subject: Work Visa

Has anyone out there applied for a Work Visa ahead of leaving the UK, and if so how long did it take you and what happened with it when you got to NZ?

Does it make it easier to find work?

Is a an actual Work Permit easy to come by once you've had the job offer?

Has anyone lost out on work because the permit didn't come through in time?

All the agencies I speculatively e-mailed said the same thing - they won't offer us any jobs or interviews unless we are residents. Have many of you had the same experience?

I wonder whether it's better to approach large organisations direct rather than agencies. Anyone have any opinions on that one?

Phew - sorry about all that. I need a lie-down now! rantoff

Sam

Kiwibound? · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject:

It would depend on your quallies/work experiance as to whether you would beable to get a work visa before you go without a job offer. You will need to check that in on the http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ under work visas.

But I found it better to network to large companies myself. I actually got several job offers from this end , just by emailling companies. It took me along time as i included quite a long introduction of myself to them, but it was worth all the hard work.

All the best

Sara.

samueljim · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 7:20 pm Post subject:

Hello Sara

Thanks for your reply. The info re large companies was useful - we had discussed this only last night as it seems that smaller companies will be less willing to jump through immigration hoops if they can fulfil their employment needs locally.

I am getting the same message over and again - do not go out on a visitors visa and hope to get work - even thought the woman at NZIS actially suggested this as a way of getting work, so we're really torn at the moment.

May I ask what line of work you are/were in and how long you worked at emailing people? When are you heading out and where to?

Thanks for your time! Shy

Sam

Kiwibound? · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 7:29 pm Post subject:

I am a manager of a travel agency branch, it took a few days to source companies, send emails ect. I found that companies were more than willing to help. There is a shortage of experianced travel agents in NZ so I suppose that did help me.

I have known quite a few people go out on Visiter visas and get work quickly and successfully. I suppose it depends alot of the line of work you are in and what level of qualifications you have. I have been pulled from the pool on 170 points and they are verifying my EOI at present. I have had alot of problems so far with getting residence but I will just keep plugging away and hope sheer determination will get me through Hmmm

Cheers

Sara

Moorf · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 12:47 am Post subject:

Any "up front" interviews (or job offers) that you can secure will be a real bonus - BUT - you will still have to apply for a work visa (whether you are still in UK or in NZ) - some employers may help you to do this.

However, without a work visa (which you can't get without a job offer - catch 22!) most companies will not entertain you as a possible candidate.

Talking / networking with companies direct is the best way to ensure that you liaise with the employer direct and that they know your situation from the outset.

Hope that helps!

Moorf

samueljim · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 1:24 am Post subject:

I am slowly beginning to realise this. I have applied for a load of jobs today, on the off chance that someone will come back to me with some advice on how to get through.

I sent my CV to a load of agencies and they said that if I was there now with a visa they would be able to offer me (and I quote) 'hundreds of roles' Laughing

Apparently there is a candidate shortage for quality administrative staff - good news for all you hardworking secretaries looking for work in NZ Nice One

!

However without a visa they are not willing to help or offer work, so I guess its down to one of two options - go on holiday and hope for a job or apply upfront, wait and suffer...

Thanks for all your advice though, Moorf. You're obviously a seasoned pro!

Moorf · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 1:35 am Post subject:

Hiya Sam

Me? Pro - no! I have merely learnt what I now know from this Forum and from reading and reading and reading!!

I spoke to a recruitment consultant in NZ who advised that we could apply for a work visa in NZ and it would take from 2 days to 6 weeks to process with a job offer - depending on case officers workload.

BUT- don't stop networking and try talking direct to employers as some recruitment agencies won't entertain you without relevant visas!

Helen

samueljim · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 2:01 am Post subject:

Hi Helen

If there is one thing that I could change in the world (apart from estate agents) it would be recruitment agents. They all live by their little books and don't step away from their rules. Then when you need them to pull out the stops for you, - well, they just - stop!

Never mind. I am going to do some more research into contacting companies direct and see where that takes us. Did you do all yor contacting online? Have you managed to set up any i/views or meetings for when you get out there? Thank goodness for email and internet, how on earth did anyone know anything before this? Clapping

Cheers
Sam

wilson182 · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 3:19 pm Post subject:

We came over on a holiday visa, and looked for work over here. Hubby is a welder, which is on the occupational shortage list, so he did not find it hard to find work (in fact, his job is with the first interview he had). We went into the immigration agency in Christchurch to speak with them directly. The very nice immigration agent gave us all the forms and told hubby to come back the next morning and they would give him an appointment slot to deal with an agent directly. He waited in the queue for his turn, and was issued his visa on the spot.

This was our experience, if it helps at all.

samueljim · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject:

Hello Wilson182

Your experience sounds very inspiring Yes

...why did you pick Christhurch - do you think it would have been a different story if you were in Auckland...?

When your hubby had the i/view, did they not ask if he had a work visa? I assumed this was the first thing they would all want to know...I'd be interested in your response!

Moorf · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 2:16 am Post subject:

Hiya Wilson

I too would be interested to know what the employers attitude towards no work visa was!

I keep hearing contradictory stories about the attitude of employers / agencies over there.

Helen

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 2:25 am Post subject:

I suppose it depends on the employer's attitude really. When Dave was offered his job, they were aware that he didn't have a work visa and that he would be coming back to the UK for a month to give a month's notice for his job here.

They were fantastic and said they would give him any assistance he needed to apply for a work permit. Which they did, they even retyped his contract to say he was working in Wellington where they also have an office, where he was on the OSL, although he will be working in Palmerston North. He went back a month later on a visit visa and get his work permit within two days.

Sandra

Moorf · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 2:47 am Post subject:

Amazing - and well done!

Please god let us meet an employer with an attitude like that!

Nice One

wilson182 · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 6:00 pm Post subject:

Hubby says (and I quote) when we phoned the employer from Taranaki, and told him we would be back to Christchurch on the monday, he could not wait to see us. I explained at that time that we could not get a work visa without the job offer, I explained what our plans were, and they were quite happy with the situation. He went in with all his qualifications, references etc and then explained to the boss what was required in order to get the work permit. The firm was not fully aware of what the situation was, but luckly I had written down a list of the information that was required, which I found on the govmt web site. The next day they gave him a letter on headed paper, with all the required info, ie Job Title, rate of pay, etc, and also a draft copy of an employment contract. We went to the immigration office, got given the form that was required, and told to come back the next day. Hubby went back the next day, an hour and half before they opened. Luckily for him he was at the head of a big queue, he waited his turn, got to see an immigration official and got his passport stamped on the spot. (he is on the osl). He was told if he had had his medicals and police check on him, he would have been given a three year work permit.

As for why we chose Christchurch, we live in Portsmouth in the South of England and hubby mainly works in London. We have friends in Auckland, (who, by the way, offered us somewhere to stay rent free Clapping

), but we were concerned that we would be swapping one big city for another, which is what we did not want. We went to Dunedin, and also Taranaki (after meeting the mayor at Sandown race course), but we fell in love with Christchurch.

Things we have found we like about Christchurch, one and a half hours west there are various sking fields, and twenty minute east of us we have the most beautifull beach we have ever seen. There are unvandalised childrens playgrounds where ever you go, some with lidos in which will be wonderfull in the summer. (although they are pretty good now). It seems that every little suburb has a shopping mall, and its very rare to pay for parking. A prime example, today (Sun 30/05) we went to the QE11 leisure centre which is a twenty minute drive from where we live. Plenty of free parking spaces Nice One

, and for a $10 family ticket we went into the leisure pool which is based on an Lost World Atlantis theme. There was plenty for the kids to do, plus sauna, steam room and jacuzi for the adults. Diving boards for the older kids (including hubby), plenty of lifeguards on duty, plus plenty of boancy aids for the younger kids. Better than anything we have seen in the UK. When we left there, we went to the park on the beach, and the kids played in the sand. Where in the UK could you have day out for the equivalent of $10. Also, a plus for us is having the luxury of being able to park outside our house. This doesnt happen in Portsmouth. When he told his workmates this they thought is was extremely funny. They have no comprehension of having to park three blocks away from where you live.

Another big bonus for hubby, is his site is only a five minute drive up the road, instead of three hours on the A3. Plus, he was home at 4pm on Friday, which has not happened for the last four of five years.

Neil and Jane · Testing The Water Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 6

In saying that I can go to NZ on a visitors Visa, look for a job and I f I secure a job offer can then apply for a Work to Residency Visa/ Work Visa which could be issued in a few days (I'm sure I need some additional documentation, police report, medical etc). Do I still need to be near or passed the 150-60 points mark etc.

Sorry to be vague but still getting my head round all of this ! Also what about my wife would she be allowed to stay and do a similar thing ?

Thanks

Neil and Jane