Skilled Migrant help
 

Hi all - I have been viewing this forum for some time but only first post now .....
I have been offered a job in Auckland following a lengthy selection process. Whilst there is no definite start date my aim is to get out there as soon. Unfortunately, my basic wage is some $500 less than what would make myself applicable for the VISA under accredited employer route (despite having bonuses which would put it above) and the job is not part of any essential skilled list so my hand is pretty forced to apply for the Skilled Migrant VISA.

I have sent the above off and hope it will go ok given my points score currently stands as 150. However I have read and been told of some horror waiting times of upto 9 months before completion! I was wondering if anybody who has gone through this process before would be able to answer the below for me (or just give any general advice) as this whole thing is quite alien to me

I was wondering if I can carry on my application from abroad as I would rather go somewhere else (such as bit of travel or visit family in Oz) then kick my heels in London for the next 8 months. I have accumulated most of the documents which I would think are important (Police check, job offer etc) and can always scan them onto a computer if need be. However, is it important I stay in England for any other reason? :confused:

I apologise if this has already been covered in earlier posts - as I say I'm pretty new to it! Really looking forward to getting to NZ.

Re: Skilled Migrant help
 

You might find the second half of this thread useful.
What comes first?

Re: Skilled Migrant help
 

I think the nine months you are talking about is for a PR visa being applied for in NZ. You need to check the London branch details on the Immigration site for their time scales for the visa you are applying for. When we came over it was a 3mth turn around for an skilled migrant visa.

we completed our application having already moved to NZ but we had been told that we would be granted the visa. It did mean we had to have ongoing flights out of the country as we entered on visitors visa's. Husband was on a Temp work visa as his Company wanted him to start immediately.