tegrynpete

hi there,we are hoping to go over to christchurch in about 5months .just wondering how feasible it is to go from tempwork visa to skilled migrant applicant as bricklayers are only on the canterbury shortage list.?dont want to get sent home once the work is over!
also any job leads much appreciated.im qualified with 22 years exp.can plaster ,roof(slate)chippy,tile,stonework,etc,etc.(already read trade me etc)
we have been over 3 times and something always gets in the way ie recession,skill being removed from the list.
thanks ,pete

chezzie

Hi Pete,

Your the same as us really, my partner qualifies under Skills Migrant also the Canterbury Short List, we are trying to decide whether to come over on WHV and then get Skilled Migrant visa after? spoken to so many people, all say different - who you taking with you, partner? do you mind me asking how old you are? as i cannot get WHV as too old, so im stuck wondering what to do?

Persephone

It is feasible to go from work visa to residency under the SMC if you have enough points. Bricklayer is on the ANZSCO list of skilled occupations:
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]+and+Joiners

You will probably need a job offer to get enough points to get your EOI selected [I am assuming, without knowing your details]-you can submit an EOI with 100 points or more but this does not necessarily mean you have a good chance of being successful. You do not gain any bonus points on your EOI for a job on the CSSL
That job offer will need to be permanent or for at least 12m with an option to continue after this.

Another way to residency is via the Work to Residence visa-you would have to go via the Talent [accredited employer] route as your profession is not on the LTSSL. You would need to work for an accredited employer with a job offer of 2yrs minimum and earn >$55,000 based on a 40hr week.

Hope this helps
P

chezzie

Hi P

Thanks for your reply, that was helpful, but my next question is what happens about me? Im too old for WHV as 33, i do not fall under skills list, well i do on Option B Secretary General, so i would have to go as visitor and hope to get a job offer? If not would i be included on partners SMC? Then be able to get me work visa?

Persephone

If your partner gets a job offer and hence a work visa then you can apply for a work visa under partnership through him. No need to have a job offer for you [Chezzie] for this. You will have a work visa that allows you to do any job and will have it prior to finding a job.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...tream.htm#work

If your partner works under his WHV only then yes, you would need to get a job offer first in order to get a work visa. You cannot get a work visa through partnership for a WHV as you can for a WTR or work visa. However as your job does not fall under any of the Skills Shortages Lists then this could be a bit tricky. Any employer would have to prove no NZers could do the job offered to you and this would be hard to do for a secretarial job.

A SMC application is different to a work visa. It is an application for residency. If you have lived together for >12months then you can be included on your partner's EOI. If he gains residency then so will you. You get a residency visa [which does allow you to live and work in NZ and to put it simply, is permanent] and not a work visa which is temporary only.
P

tegrynpete

hi,thanks for the replies /info.guess the best way is to just go out on holiday,get a job offer and sort it from there[we are 38 so too old for whv].
thats the conclusion we come to every time but it would be nice to go out with visa in hand

chezzie

Meet u at the airport hahahaha

keep in contact, might be able to help each other out with work contacts etc once there? We are planning on going Aug