What exactly is "eligible to work in NZ"?

[Mom]

Did he fit in the "skilled professionals"? I'm a mechanical engineer working on IT, so I know I readily fill in the "skilled professionals" category. I understand that it takes from 3 to 6 months to get a permit when you have experience in a shortage area, but my problem is that I got my degree in a Spanish university, and Sp and NZ don't directly accept each other's degrees.

No, he did not come in as a skilled professional, although he did have a non recognised Trade. He put nose down bum up and completed a NZQA diploma course while he worked for us. I dont actually remember all the ins and outs, but do remember it was a lengthy process for him.

[mujambee]

Also, in my experience, a lot of job agencies post ads for jobs that are not confirmed yet in the odd chance that the position gets created at the right time. So contacting companies either directly or through friends/conferences/etc. works better.

I've experienced that here, a company got me around for three months, no end of interviews and tests, and in the end the only answer I got was "Thank you for your time, if we gather the money to start the project we will call you".

If you have a Spanish university degree, you should be able to get it rated by NZQA to the equivalent NZ university. I don't know the process, though.

My only concern there is that my degree should give me the 15 extra pts on my EOI that could put me trough, I don't expect any trouble with employers.

The advice you have been given about talking to agencies is an excellent one. I came to NZ on a six week holiday. I wasn't looking for a job. My wife got a job so I thought I would look also. The agency presented me as someone able to work in NZ. I got the job and they then sorted out a 2 year work visa for me in a matter of 3 days. I was amazed how much influence they have with the relevant government bodies. We had already applied for PR and understood that you could not apply for a work visa whilst your PR application was being assessed. This was not the case at all. It may not now be as easy as it was 2 years ago. The other option to consider is a 'Work to Residency Visa'. Provided you find a job this is a lot easier and you don't have to worry about being 'fished out of a pool' with less points than you would like.

It looks the way to go, if they are able to do that they may be able to sort out any problem.

Regarding your English, it appears to be better than 90% of the posters on this board, so no worries there :-)

Well, thanks. I try to keep it as correct as I can. I have some english friends and know how it sounds in spanish, so I try not to make their same errors when using english.

The only problem I see is that you are coming to NZ at the worst time of the year and may get put off.

We are doing it on purpose. I'd rather get put off before I start than leave job here and spend a truckload of money just to find out that I don't like it there.

No, he did not come in as a skilled professional, although he did have a non recognised Trade. He put nose down bum up and completed a NZQA diploma course while he worked for us. I dont actually remember all the ins and outs, but do remember it was a lengthy process for him.

That's exactly the problem I foresee here, not having my degree accepted and being demerited for that.

[AD345]

I've seen a lot of job offers that end with a disclaimer that goes like:

You must be eligible to work in NZ to apply for this role.

Does that mean that I need to have a resident's visa or just that I could qualify if need be?

I ask this because unless I get a job offer I can only claim 115 points on my EOI, so I'll need to be extremely lucky to get past the pool.

P.S.: Yes, I know this fits better in a migration forum, but I feel much more confortable among bikers.

I use it all the time.

It means that if you don't have a work permit or visa that allows you to work in NZ then please don't apply as I don't have the time to help you out

[AD345]

Whups - forgot a bit

I generally use it for ads placed on the net cos there's replies from all over the world

[portokiwi]

Just remember if you apply for a work permit... if you fly out of the country you will have to reaply all over again.
Best bet it to apply stright for a work visa that way you have the freedom to come and go.
Look up where your nearest NZ embersey is in the E.U. Apply from there it could stop any problems later on.
When you are here and you apply for residence it can take at least 18 months.
Makes it harder after you have been here 15 months and you are looking for a new job.... (my fault getting job in Wellington) when you only have 8-9 months left on your visa, other firms are not that keen.
Easy to renew just the waiting process.
Yes like you my wife speeks Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian.
Did not help her in anyway.
She was educated in the UK and finished in Portugal.

[Jiminy]

My only concern there is that my degree should give me the 15 extra pts on my EOI that could put me trough, I don't expect any trouble with employers.

Check with NZQA, you should be able to get your degree assessed and get the extra points. It's a bit of paperwork, but it shouldn't be too hard.

[mjvduc]

done it back in 2004 and the procedure has not changed much…..

work visa is the best and quickest way to get in the country, downside you need to have a job before you can apply for a work visa. It takes up to 6 weeks but keep in mind you have to have a signed contract in your hands, passport and if you have kids and a wife, birth certificates as well. It is not much hassle for both parties if the contract is limited to 2 years and the employer has the right to employ you (proving no kiwi is available for the time being).

Once the work visa is issued you have 3 months time to enter NZ and permit is granted on the spot, just tell your embassy you have to do oversea trips regularly and they will grant you a multiply entry permit (come and go anytime you want without any additional paperwork).
Your wife will be granted a visitor visa for the length of your stay, kids the same, if the kids are in school age go for a study visa.

That's the best and quickest as you don't have any hassles finding a panel doctor or any other hassle with getting a permanent job. You may have to visit NZ and run through a couple of interviews before someone will take you on board; economy has changed and will go worse during the next 1 to 2 years.

If you want to apply for the residence right away you will struggle if you don't have enough points and everything has to be sorted before you enter NZ including health reports, translation of all your documents and you have to have your overseas diploma approved by NZQA. You can submit your application once you are gained 95 points but to be realistic you need at least 145 points to have the residency granted (without job offer) and 135 with an offer in your hand. The process will take up to 6 months and once issued you have up to 1 year if I remember correct to enter NZ and take up work.

Some stuff on the private side, you will have a culture shock no matter how you're doing or going. Your wife will suffer more than you and it will be not easy to adjust, we are struggled a lot especially as I was joining a very old fashion company and they gave me a hard time, pay was comparable sh^it, working hrs long as everything was not up to date and the weather isn't always that good. You need to stay at least one year to appreciate this beautiful country, we made the mistake to pack everything after 2 years and I binned the residence one week after we have been given the go from the immigration officer.

Good luck

mjv

[mujambee]

Problem with visas is that there is a time limit. I know that there is ample time to get a permanent residence before any of those expires, but there is the risk that something goes wrong and we may find ourselves beached in NZ, with no option to work there and no job back in Europe. I would gladly accept that risk if it were for myself, but we have to small children and can't afford the risk.

We believe it must be PR from the beggining, anything short of that would be an inacceptable risk for our family.

So if we finally decide to go ahead with this, we will try to find a way to secure that PR before we apply for a job.

Anyhow, contacting agencies looks a sound advice, we will contact some on our visit to Auckland.

Thanks people.

[mjvduc]

Point taken, but having work and being in the country will boost you points rocket high and you will get the residency easily. We made the same move and our youngest was just 3 months old, once in the country and established it is easy to change the job if needed (all depending on your skills) as most Europeans are very welcome.

Just go for it brother………we would

mjvduc

[Argyle]

To get residency in the country you need qualifications, there's no other way mates.
You need a job on the short/long term list to just get a 2year work visa.

Lucky my fiance is a radiographer and I'm sponsored, but i got a shit job anyway. Working as a stud groom and the hours are relay bad and the payment compared to the hours are shit.

But I'm going to study to a nurse soon so things will get better after that's done. Sweden pays my education

[popelli]

forget abour the "eligible to work in NZ"

most adverts also state "must have 3 years nz work experience" to effectively lock out foreigners

your best bet is to head for europe where there are far more open attitudes and the money is over double what you can make in NZ

I have thought about returning to NZ many times but the prospect of a 50% cut in income coupled with a 6 month stint on the dole whilst trying to find work in nz (been there done that twice) put me off

[fredie]

whats the story regarding an aussie comming over the ditch . my belief is i can just land and start working .is this right??

[Beeza]

If you have a "firm job offer" from a NZ firm, NZ Immigration will issue you with a restricted work permit allowing you to work ONLY for that company. You can't come in, decide it's a pretty crap job and resign to look around for a better one. After 3 months on your restricted work permit, you can apply for a Permanent Resident's Permit. Once you've got that piece of paper, you CAN switch jobs anytime you like, and your whole family immediately automatically qualifies for permanent residence too. And you all are even able to vote in the next local and national elections. Five years later you can apply to become a NZ citizen and bear a NZ passport.

[Jantar]

whats the story regarding an aussie comming over the ditch . my belief is i can just land and start working .is this right??

Pretty much right. An aussie has automatic rights to live and work in New Zealand unless you have serious criminal convictions.