Hazelnut

If an SMC visa was given to an applicant who didn't have a job offer (I know the chances are unicorn poop level) what happens afterwards please? I've read mention of stickers, validation and actually entering NZ to take up work.

janiejones

That was us. We paid the migrant levy, got our entry stickers, and came over within a year of getting them. That entry date was the start of our two year RRV period.

Hazelnut

Thanks Janie. MrH has 135 points with 15 for skills shortage. We were looking over the holiday and we know the chances are decreasing exponentially but, even last year, there was one month where these types of EOIs were selected from the pool. If we could gain visas without a job offer it would give us time and more likelihood of finding jobs, sell up and travel over. We were both given money for Christmas and are debating using it to buy ourselves the 'present' of submitting an EOI (twice) to cover the year 2015.
It would be brilliant if we could gain visas then spend 6-12 months doing the actual job finding and move.

darbydoo

If there is a skill shortage involved, you may be surprised at how long an employer will keep a job offer open for. My husband for example was offered a job in October, which we then used to get the visa (we went for a work visa in the end as it was quicker) but he doesn't actually start until February.

janiejones

We applied for quite a few jobs before we came, but didn't get shortlisted, probably because we weren't over yet. I got a job within two days of arriving, my other half got one six weeks later. I've heard it said that employers want to know you're serious about coming over, so disregard overseas applications, even with visas. Then again, as Darbydoo pointed out, employers with a shortage might be the opposite.

escapedtonz

Hi. We secured Resident Visa's via SMC without job offers but with 150 points so automatically selected.
It wasn't until we had the visa's in hand that I actually started applying for jobs and it didn't take long to secure one.
Applied late Nov 2012, interviewed and contract signed mid December and started mid March....the start date was actually open to negotiation and March was when I decided given we had already booked shipping and flights etc even before I'd landed a job.

Hazelnut

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to do some reading about costs and documentation then MrH and I will decide to submit an EOI this weekend. I think it's looking likely to be a yes. We'll then trust to the universe that we'll be selected if we're meant to be.

Sadly if we were 2yrs younger we'd have 140 points for automatic selection but we're skirting close to age limits now.

darbydoo

Good luck!

If you do end up applying for jobs before leaving, just state in your cover letters that you are in the late stages of obtaining a visa. Lots of employers don't have a clue about immigration issues, so stating that you've done this bit yourself will give them more confidence and show that you're serious about the move.

Hazelnut

frustratingly I now can't total our points to be over 130 so I'm going to have a rummage through the filing cabinet this weekend and see why we had 135 in November 2013 yet I can't make it that now. I'm wondering what might have changed on the form or I'm getting wrong.

Hazelnut

This is what I had in November 2013. Going in husband as first applicant and me as spouse.

Do you have an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand? NO

Is your work... areas of absolute skills shortage? Yes

Is your work or offer of employment for a location outside of Auckland in New Zealand? Whilst we hope it will be due to housing costs I'm guessing we can't claim points for this without an actual offer

Do you have a recognised qualification? (level 7 or 8) YES

Do you have a qualification in any one of New Zealand's areas of absolute skills shortage? YES

Number of years of relevant work experience (anywhere) 10+ (actually nearer 30!)

Number of years work experience in any one of New Zealand's areas of absolute skills shortage ? 6yrs

Was the work experience gained in a comparable labour market? Yes

What is your current age? 50-55

Do you have a partner? Yes

Would your partner have the required English proficiency to qualify as a principal applicant? Yes

Does your partner have a recognised qualification ? (level 7, 8, 9 or 10) Yes

Persephone

I also got residency without a job offer, as long as you have the points then it is no less likely than those with a job offer. Just takes longer. I came over, found a job and my employer was willing to wait 4 months for me to start.

I can't see what you've missed Bugger

twcdouglas

Hi Hazelnut,

I'd be interested to hear how you have got on since January?

I am in the process of filling out my EOI now and have 155pts without a job offer. My soon-to-be wife has a Social Psychology degree that I have claimed for and a teaching degree that I haven't as it needs to go through NZQA and I thought with 155pts we can submit the EOI without this. Thoughts on this would be appreciated from anyone!

Cheers,

Tom

Hazelnut

To update we're still plodding on but it's definite that we need a job offer for Mr Hazelnut before it's worth submitting an EOI. We have paperwork rumbling on in the background as MrH needs to finish his chartership here to be automatically added to professional register in NZ, without that he can't take up a job. It's a catch22 of needing a job to obtain a visa and registration but needing a visa to obtain a job. We have lost points due to our ages.
I'm half way through obtaining qualifications for a new career as my existing one is as dead in NZ as it is in the UK.

AftabAK

Hope everyone doing well and enjoying their life.


I have recently done my IQA which indicated that my Bachelor of Computer Science 4 year program is equivalent to Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences at Level 7 (360 Credits) in New Zealand which lies under the area of absolute shortage skills on the ANZSCO LIST. I have 6 years of experience as a Software Developer.

My query is regarding LTSSL points, can i claim bonus points for
> 1) Work in an area of absolute skills shortage?
> 2) Work in an identified future growth area?
> 3) Qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage?
> 4) Qualification in an identified future growth area?

Your valuable responses are highly appreciated.

Thanks

MrsFychan

Please see the sticky above (http://britishexpats.com/forum/immig...d-pool-810756/)

it highlights the criteria for claiming points