mmajaz12

Hello All,
I am an SAP ABAP consultant curently working in India. I have around 10 years of experience. I am in the process of applying for a job in NZ for a similar position.

I'd be really glad if someone could help me out with the procedure and the things I need to take of of for the same?

Thanks.

Genesis

Hi, I think you probably need to expand on what SAP ABAP is. Then look on the NZ immigration website to see if it is on the skills shortage list, which is apparently the easiest route to get into NZ. Otherwise you have to apply for a job through an accredited employer (I think) who needs to prove they were unable to find a kiwi citizen or resident who could fill the role you are applying for.

If english is not your 1st language I believe you will need to pass an IELTs test https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rc...iNRwM-sJZm6s9g

You will also need to pass a medical and a police check. It is quite a long drawn out process and takes a fair bit of time.

Have a look at the NZ immigration site....https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rc...pmm5M9rEH8ZV1A

Good luck.

MrsFychan

India is not a comparable labour market so for any years that you have worked in a SAP role there will not count towards your years of work experience.
You would also have to look at if you require qualifications as part of the visa requirements, these also will need to be gained from an recognised establishment if not then the qualification would have to be accessed and this costs, and as Genesis says if English is not your first language then you will also have to take IELTS test, again chargeable, and you would need to pass at a certain level. So lots to consider about costs.

mmajaz12

Thanks a lot for your response.

SAP ABAP is a programming language for the ERP software. So essentially I am a programmer with 10 years of experience. It falls under Information technology. And I think it is included in the long term skill shortage list, not specifically though. I have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering with Industrial Electronics as my major.

And English is not my first language. IELTS is not a problem. When you say this might take time, how much time roughly am I looking at?

Thanks again.

mmajaz12

Thanks for the response.

I'm essentially a programmer working on an ERP software. Have all my experience in that. There is a listing for Developers in the long term skill shortage list. I also have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

simonsi

As Mrs F states your experience may not count as it isn't in a comparable labour market. Also due to widespread qualification-fraud amongst Indian nationals applying for visas, NZ Immigration are getting much more stringent on qualification checks. I'd expect anyone claiming programming/developer skills to be subjected to that, recently we had three Indian nationals present for interview claiming development qualifications and skills who <could not code> at all so I think that may be an additional challenge for you.

Thousands of Indian students denied visas | Radio New Zealand News

mmajaz12

Does it make a difference if I have been working in one of the biggest MNC's in terms of IT service provider? Would my experience be considered then?
In fact, my office has a branch in New Zealand...

simonsi

No. Its a list of countries on the Immigration New Zealand website. India is not listed as a comparable labour market, your specific employer isn't a consideration.

http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/...bourmarket.htm

mmajaz12

Thank you for the information.

MrsFychan

if it a Multinational Co then you may be ok?

"Work experience undertaken in a country not listed at (a) above will be assessed as being in a comparable labour market only if it was undertaken for a multinational commercial entity (including a wholly or majority owned subsidiary of such an entity that bears the same core name as the parent company) domiciled in one of the countries listed in (a) above."

SM11.10 Requirements for recognition

mmajaz12

Thanks Mrs. F... I work for a multinational company.
https://www.cognizant.com/new-zealand

They have an office in NZ too...

MrsFychan

not a Company I have heard of but could work (?). Think it might be best to speak to your immigration NZ dept and ask before you spend out any money

mmajaz12

Thanks a lot for the information Mrs.F...

PB65

maybe contact some colleagues informally that work for cognizant in NZ to see what they say about the job market in your specialisation but remember NZ is a much smaller job market. For others reading here believe if I read correctly Cognizant is a consultancy/outsourcing IT company with parent in the US and turnover last year of 13.49 billion USD.