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

**jazbug5** · 25th November 2007, 22:11

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.

**H00dz** · 25th November 2007, 22:17

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

**jrandom** · 25th November 2007, 22:47

Originally Posted by jazbug5

scottishmailorderbrides.com

Mmm, porridge.

**F5 Dave** · 26th November 2007, 11:05

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

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

**Storm** · 26th November 2007, 14:45

I would, but I'm already spoken for.

However, bring back the cleavage trousers!!!

**White trash** · 26th November 2007, 15:45

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

**Street Gerbil** · 26th November 2007, 17:15

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

**SwanTiger** · 26th November 2007, 17:19

Will you marry me?

**devnull** · 26th November 2007, 18:24

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** · 26th November 2007, 18:34

Where are u from??

**Str8 Jacket** · 26th November 2007, 19:56

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?

**jrandom** · 26th November 2007, 19:58

Originally Posted by kevfromcoro

Where are u from??

A misty place of many porridges.

**jazbug5** · 26th November 2007, 20:06

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** · 26th November 2007, 20:07

Originally Posted by 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...

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** · 26th November 2007, 20:11

Originally Posted by 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?

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.)

Originally Posted by jrandom

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.