darbydoo

Well the last few days have been a bit of whirlwind!

Husband had 2 skype interviews last week for a Diesel Mechanic with NZ bus, and this morning at 4am found out that he has a job offer to start in February!

We are obviously over the moon, but the thought of all the visa and house move stuff is pretty overwhelming isn't it!

As his job is in on the LTSSL, he is applying for a work visa (temp), and I'm going for a partnership work visa. I think I've gathered all the forms and stuff required to complete now, but finding there are a lot of 'grey areas' for providing proof of work experience and our relationship etc.

Head feels like it is about to explode, but i'm guessing that's normal right?

to top it off, i have to give 3 months notice to my employer, which means i have to give it in this week, before we've even applied for our visas. employer is being particularly inflexible at the moment - ideally i would give 2 months notice, but going to have to risk it i think...

Snap Shot

Good luck with it all.

It can also be frustrating dealing with people around you who have no idea how much stress you are under and just think you are going on a long holiday 'cause you got the opportunity and they didn't. Other people's 'magic thinking' can be very frustrating.

It's hard to tell you to stay focussed when the stress itself is distracting you.

suza712565

Hi Darby do. We are also in the same situation. Hubby leaves in January and I am going in March. House has just gone on the market. Visa application is in progress. The stress and cost is high.
Will be worth it in the end though.
where abouts are you from and are you going?
We live in Bedfordshire and are going to Tauranga or surrounding areas.

BEVS

Congratulations Darbydoo.

Sounds to be like you have your head sensibly screwed on. Temp work/partnership visas get you here & starting to settle.
There is time to go for the residency afterward. That is exactly how we did it.

Tiz stressful though. I do remember agonising over the merest details on the forms.

Head explosions are common as is immigration finger syndrome.

Still. We are here and will help if we can.

Polly 3

Well congrats, what an adventure ahead. Look its a mind blowing thing moving counties and to be honest if you had years to prepare, you would spend most of it worrying about how much needs to be done.
If it helps, I have a good friend who's husband got a job offer on a friday night in July, to start work in NZ on the following monday!!!
They were from OZ, so had no visa to worry about, but still had a house to sell and buy, transport and two young children to sort out for schools etc and they did it. My friend said they were in such a panic they had no choice but to cope and be efficient.
We hope to arrive in NZ about the same time as you, still doing the bathrooms in our home to sell, sadly we were transferred out of NZ some years ago and I can't get back quick enough.
Where are you off to? We are trying to house hunt on the net and its driving me insane!
Suza, how lucky are you, a totally beautiful part of our world, its on our list of possible places, we work from home, so can now go anywhere. Only been there twice, but really fell in love with the area and weather.
Good luck in the preparations, so excited for you!

Chel42uk

Congratulations! It must be the day for it as I've had an offer today too, although not had all the details through yet

Already with you in the head exploding bit but I'm sure you'll be fine!

sghall

We applied through accredited employers and partnership for me. I included household bills with either joint names or single names from the same date over the last few years, marriage cert, kids birth certificates and I put in some photos too. Friend of mine included wedding invites from years past but I never kept anything like that!
Where is ur hubby going to be based? Good luck with the application, ours only took 5 days to process!

MrsFychan

Congrats to you all for the job offer, afraid that now is when all the hard work starts.

As for documentation to prove relationship, anything and everything that links you. we sent in FB messages, Skype messages, photos - bet they had a good laugh at some of them, holiday bookings, joint bills, letters addressed to both of us, invites.

darbydoo

Thanks for all the well wishes!

I think we'll be ok on the relationship proof bit, can print off facebook stuff (although it's a bit cringe!). We don't keep any household bills etc and they are mostly online. Not sure what we can do about that though - I assume online printouts are ok?

Just wondering how we can prove that husband has experience in the LTSSL area. Would a letter from his employer suffice detailing the duties performed?

We are going to be JAFFAs, so moving to Auckland My brother has lived there for two years, so hoping to stay with him for a few weeks while we get settled.

Been looking at properties on trademe, but probably won't do anything with that until we're actually out there.

Just getting some shipping quotes now, it's all fun and games!

Also handed in my notice at work today, that is a very strange feeling. Just hope all is ok with the visa now.

MrsFychan

yes print out the on line bills, thats all ours were.

Copy of his works contract and if he does any more than what is written there get the employer to say something along the lines, as well as performing duties applicable to the contract, <insert name> also carried out <insert other duties that you think may help> but also make sure any other duties appear on the CV. I believe on the Immigration website it states what is required to show proof of eligibility to gain that skill

Persephone

Congratulations on the job offer, great news!

Try and stay focussed and not get too stressed, it won't be possible but try

As for proving you're on the LTSSL- work contracts and payslips, plus letter from employers stating dates worked, hours worked and duties performed. I can't remember whether he has a qualification in that area but obviously if so that will help as well.
The above is all I provided to prove I was on the LTSSL and it was all fine

darbydoo

Ok thanks Persephone, that's really helpful.

The LTSSL states that he must have an ANZCO level 4 qualification (he has this), plus 3 years experience post-qualification. How strict is this exactly?

The only problem is that he only has 2 years experience after the level 4 qualification, but has another 3 years experience prior to that (albeit at a lower qualified level). The earlier experience was in the Army and I don't think he has any documentation like a contract to provide as evidence.

The employer is happy to complete the supplementary form, so as long as they state that no NZ person could fill the post, do you think this would be overlooked? Usually this part wouldn't need to be completed for a job on the LTSSL unless the applicant doesn't exactly meet the LTSSL requirement.

If this is a problem, then what happens? Do immigration just reject you or do they get back in touch to ask more questions/ suggest an alternative route like essential skills visa? Obviously at WTR visa is preferred.

Gah!

MrsFychan

see my response in your other thread. I believe that that is the minimum requirement so he would not fulfil the criteria. Personally I would call NZ Immigration and ask them.

darbydoo

I have been in touch with immigration and they can't give an answer one way or another. I've actually decided now to appoint an agent that we've spoken to in the past. Quite reasonable priced - think it will be worth it to reduce the stress levels!

In other news, I've just found a really useful feature on Facebook for the proving of the relationship part. Just go to facebook.com/us - and it brings up your entire relationship history - including statuses, photos - the lot! Cheers Mr Zuckerberg

MrsFychan

I really think getting an agent is a waste of money, all they do unless its a specialised agent, is collate the documents you provide and I know of many that do not know much about the rules and regulations. we spoke to one who actually told us so many things wrong. it was easier to pop to NZ Immigration or call them (cheaper to) and get the right information.
An agent can't make Immigration change the criteria of what is required.
I personally would say call Immigration again and speak to someone until you can get a definitive answer.