SMC timescales
 

Hi all

I was talking to a relocation manager from my new company and she asked if I was going for residency? I was going down the Work to Residence Talent (Accredited Employer) but am now wondering if I should try for the SMC route? The thing is I have about 12 weeks before I am due to leave, getting Medicals and police checks done next week.

I have 170 points but would that mean I would be picked out the first time I go into the EOI pot or could it take weeks or months? Also what is the normal timescale from being picked to actually leaving? Have I left it too late?:unsure:

Thanks

Re: SMC timescales
 

I would say it would be very tight and would depend on if they need to query anything. 170 would get you picked on the next selection date and London office is listed as turnaround of up to three months for SMC and it took that amount of time and some for our visa and that was with OH already being in NZ and working on a temp work visa. The job description was returned 3 times to get the wording correct for the CO and mine and my daughers medicals were referred and that took 2 weeks to come back all clear. Whilst there is a query on the application they do not do any more work on it until that query has been resolved or the application is then stopped.

So it does all depend on the CO and if your documentation is all there and whether there are going to be any queries

Re: SMC timescales
 

Possible but pushing it given the time scales. You would be selected at the next fortnightly draw since you have a job offer and 100 points or more.
From INZ website: Tips and processing times

You can always apply for WTR and submit an EOI at the same time. You would have residency sooner if you do this; on a WTR visa you have to wait at least two years before you can apply for Residence from Work.
P:)

Re: SMC timescales
 

Thanks for the advice and info. Really appreciate it