Getting a visa to return to live (as a creative): advice sought

[jazbug5]

Firstly, apologies for possibly starting this thread in the wrong place.
OK, so arguably the whole of KB is the wrong place, but on the other hand it's a good cross section of NZ folkies, many of whom are either employers or immigrants.
So.

As many of you will already know, I love New Zealand and want to come back. To live. I've always figured that once I'd found a good time to, I would come over, do a bit of job hunting, and a job offer would lead to a visa.

Well either that was wrong, or things have changed.

Unfortunately I am probably not what the government wants; I'm not a nurse, an engineer or an electrician. I am a graphic designer and photographer. Okay, it was my choice to qualify in those subjects rather than something more practical, and frankly sometimes I regret it- but it's what I'm good at.

There is a list of licensed employers - roughly about 370 of them; of those, I could see maybe three in the creative industry. They appear to be film or gaming industry, and I presume they will be looking for highly specialised technical imaging skills which I don't currently possess. I did look at joining a degree course in 3D imaging, but I wanted to join on the final year- unfortunately they told me I'd have to do two years of study with them minimum. I've already studied for six years! And then... I'd have to go and get industry experience on top. Argh.

Does anyone have any relevant experience and some advice to offer? Have you employed someone from overseas without first having been accredited? Are you a creative who has immigrated? Are you a creative who has some idea of what my chances might be? Is there any flexibility in Immigration at all?

All advice/help gratefully sought; I really don't want to have to sign up to scottishmailorderbrides.com (http://www.explosm.net/comics/102/).

[H00dz]

sorry no advice of any value...but good luck !!

[jrandom]

scottishmailorderbrides.com

Mmm, porridge.

[F5 Dave]

Tell them you're a valued member of an on-line community that needs your cultural diversity to blah blah something to do with Mana or whatever.

We had a UK chap at work depart for a short jaunt to a nearby country & sadly his Visa wasn't as up to date as he believed & he has been stuck there for a month trying to get back in. This is someone with a job who has been here for 3 years!

But don't give up and good luck young lass:soon:


ok que the inevitable row of chaps offering wedlock. . .

[Storm]

I would, but I'm already spoken for.

However, bring back the cleavage trousers!!!

[White trash]

As Dave has so obviously pointed out, get some nice kiwi sheila knocked up, then marry...., Jsut noticed you're a chick.

Reverse roles.

I'm sure there's a long line of kiwi fellas keen on being Mr jazbug luv :D

[Street Gerbil]

Have you tried talking to the Yellow Pages? AFAIK, they have a fairly large art studio.

[SwanTiger]

Will you marry me?

[devnull]

NZ is desperate for teachers....

Teach those subjects and the govt will not only give you a visa, they'll pay a NZ$30k incentive to come here...

[kevfromcoro]

Where are u from??

[Str8 Jacket]

Tis all good chick, i'll marry you! We can have a luvly Civil Union on the summit of the Taka's. As wedding presents everyone will need to chip in for a new bike each (or in my case ANY bike)... waddya rection? :D

[jrandom]

Where are u from??

A misty place of many porridges.

[jazbug5]

Ah... so most of you think I should sign up to scottishmailorderbrides.com?
(Kev, I'm Scottish.) And I should include some fetching 'rear cleavage' shots?
Right-o!

Devnull: teaching is something I've looked into pretty seriously; just finished a year's stint as an assistant teacher here. Unfortunately it wasn't really for me, I think. And it would take a minimum of three years to qualify.
Plus then I'd have to be a teacher. If it's anything like it is over here, I'd be resident of Wanganui Bide-A-Wee Twilight Home For The Terminally Demented within say... six months? And I don't think they let you ride your bike when you're nuts. Something about the jacket restricting arm movement a little? Killjoys!

[James Deuce]

NZ is desperate for teachers....

Teach those subjects and the govt will not only give you a visa, they'll pay a NZ$30k incentive to come here...

Bloody brilliant idea.

With that thick brogue and gnarly attitude you could teach in one of the "polytech's" they call prisons. Eveyone knows a Glaswegian lass is far more fearsome than a P enraged Mongrel Mob horde.

Edit: Remember "teacher" doesn't necessarily mean standing in front of a classroom, and it won't take 3 years to get the qualification with your Quals. You're looking at a year at most and your living expenses covered for that year. Think seriously about it and then look at teaching adults instead of children.

[jazbug5]

Tis all good chick, i'll marry you! We can have a luvly Civil Union on the summit of the Taka's. As wedding presents everyone will need to chip in for a new bike each (or in my case ANY bike)... waddya rection? :D

Brilliant! Such evil genius in one so *innocent* looking! :)
Better specify 'motorbike' at least. Just had this dreadful image of us plummeting down the Takas on a 'bicyle maade for twooo'... (tra la.)


A misty place of many porridges.

Oy! That's enough of the damned porridge jibes, young man! It is also home to the Glaswegian Kiss, lest ye forget.

[Str8 Jacket]

Brilliant! Such evil genius in one so *innocent* looking! :)
Better specify 'motorbike' at least. Just had this dreadful image of us plummeting down the Takas on a 'bicyle maade for twooo'... (tra la.)


Brilliant! We best be starting our long distance relationship now then eh! :love:

[jazbug5]

Bloody brilliant idea.

With that thick brogue and gnarly attitude you could teach in one of the "polytech's" they call prisons. Eveyone knows a Glaswegian lass is far more fearsome than a P enraged Mongrel Mob horde.

Edit: Remember "teacher" doesn't necessarily mean standing in front of a classroom, and it won't take 3 years to get the qualification with your Quals. You're looking at a year at most and your living expenses covered for that year. Think seriously about it and then look at teaching adults instead of children.

Hmmm. I'll look into it; thing is, in the UK anyway, I have a problem. See, back in the Mysts Of TymeTM, I ran away from home and didn't do my GCSEs or any school exams. I got all my qualifications as an mature student. Over here, that means that although I have two professional qualifications (photography and graphic design, with an Industrial qualification which took an extra year) I would have to go back to school to get my GCSEs, then wait a further year before I could enter a teaching course. Then I'd have to teach for a year before being signed off as qualified. *counts on fingers* Gah! That's four years, not three!

Additionally (this really pains me) although throughout my degree course I averaged 1sts and 2:1s and won an exchange place to New York and a place on the Industrial course... then Bad Things happened in my life in my final year. I came out with a let's say... 'suboptimal' mark. So I'm not sure that I'd be considered that desirable based upon my academic qualifications, even though I am skilled up to the teeth. *sigh*

Will look into it though, cheers. (By the way- did you mean that I should come study teaching in NZ..?)

[James Deuce]

Will look into it though, cheers. (By the way- did you mean that I should come study teaching in NZ..?)

Yes. If I signed up tomorrow I'd get a $10,000 living allowance immediately.

You'll get $30,000 as an overseas import. No one in NZ cares about your Secondary School transcript, and do you have a degree? Yes? 1 year course to get your teaching diploma. Your academic transcript combined with real live work history (tm) is what they are after. This is NZ and you're a woman. You can't fail here.

[hospitalfood]

Im a photographer and I have to say that if you want to do high end work you could not pick a worse time to get into the industry here.
due to the digital thing there are many people thinking "I will do it myself", "anyone can do it now" etc. it will take a little time before people realise that there is a bit more involved in getting a professional result and become willing to pay for it again.
The design work is there however, or cheap photography. I have recently given notice at an ad agency that undervalues photography, it has been a hard place for me to work ( though there are good people there ).
A friend of mine is a lawyer who specialises in immigration. He could probably help but it would cost you heaps.
A kiwi husband would be quick and easy but dont go there without love ( unless there is no sex involved ).
best of luck and keep looking for options and loop-holes in the system.

[Scarydog]

Hi there,

as someone who employs Graphic designers occasionally the thing you need the most is a good portfolio.

There are not many good designers in the market at the moment so it is fairly easy to get a job, you should be able to find an employer who will sponsor you into the country.

As long as you have a degree, it doesn't matter what your marks were. Best is a degree, 2 years experience, being under 30 and an employer willing to pay you $45k or more.

Graphic artist (= designer) is on the immediate skills shortage list - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/89185A40-27D3-41F4-84BE-30129920411D/0/ISSL.pdf

Have a look it tells you what qualifications you need to qualify.

Shouldn't be too hard.

Good luck.

[Usarka]

Ah... so most of you think I should sign up to scottishmailorderbrides.com?
How you doin?

[SwanTiger]

Don't leave me hanging here ...

[jazbug5]

Im a photographer and I have to say that if you want to do high end work you could not pick a worse time to get into the industry here.
due to the digital thing there are many people thinking "I will do it myself", "anyone can do it now" etc. it will take a little time before people realise that there is a bit more involved in getting a professional result and become willing to pay for it again.

Exactly the same here- hence (in part) the diversion into graphic design... the things you see... eek.



A kiwi husband would be quick and easy but dont go there without love...

Are you saying Kiwi men are easy? Hmm. I knew there was a reason I loved the place!

[jazbug5]

Hi there,

as someone who employs Graphic designers occasionally the thing you need the most is a good portfolio.

There are not many good designers in the market at the moment so it is fairly easy to get a job, you should be able to find an employer who will sponsor you into the country.

As long as you have a degree, it doesn't matter what your marks were. Best is a degree, 2 years experience, being under 30 and an employer willing to pay you $45k or more.

Hmm. Two out of those four ain't too bad, I suppose. I just need to lie about my age (I do look a *wee* bit younger, and behave about my shoe size... I have small feet too) and find someone willing to pay that kind of money for my services....


Graphic artist (= designer) is on the immediate skills shortage list - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/89185A40-27D3-41F4-84BE-30129920411D/0/ISSL.pdf

Have a look it tells you what qualifications you need to qualify.

Shouldn't be too hard.

Good luck.

Fantastic- the skills shortage list obviously changed recently, as last time I looked graphic artist wasn't on there. Thank you!
Guess I best do some srubbing up of the folio, then.

[jazbug5]

Don't leave me hanging here ...

Aww bless you. You can get out of your high chair now, wee man. ;)

[jazbug5]

Yes. If I signed up tomorrow I'd get a $10,000 living allowance immediately.

You'll get $30,000 as an overseas import. No one in NZ cares about your Secondary School transcript, and do you have a degree? Yes? 1 year course to get your teaching diploma. Your academic transcript combined with real live work history (tm) is what they are after. This is NZ and you're a woman. You can't fail here.

Thanks, Jim- I will also be looking into this. Looks another great option... much appreciated.

[NZsarge]

Think there is some good advice there, good luck.

[Ocean1]

This is NZ and you're a woman. You can't fail here.

True that, what's more there's an upcomming vacancy for chief bitch and bottle washer for the labour party(tm). Bit of remedial dental work and yer a shoo-in.