When to apply?
 

Hello

We're thinking about emigrating to NZ but we already know we can't actually move for a few years due to personal circumstances.

We would apply under the Skilled Migrant Category, I think we get about 125 points without a job offer.

With the timescale above in mind, we are wondering when we should submit our EOI?

So if our application was accepted and we were granted a residence visa how long the visa is valid for before having to land in NZ?

Cheers for any help

Re: When to apply?
 

Hi,

If you submitted an EOI today, it would go into the next draw which I believe is 17th June.
If you were successful in the draw, NZIS are quoting a timescale of 1 month to evaluate your EOI.
If this is successful, then they will send out an ITA. This is where you prove everything that you have claimed for in the EOI & have medicals & police checks. You have 4 months to return the ITA and all your supporting evidence.
Once the ITA is returned, it takes approx. 3 months to be assigned a Case Officer. If all is hunky dory & straightforward & they say yes, you then have 6 months to send in your passports (to get blue stickers) & migrant levy.
Once you have blue stickers, you then have 12 months to actually activate them within NZ.
So you can make it a fairly long drawn out affair.
Obviously if there are any medical issues, or your case is not straightforward, then the process can take a lot longer.
You can also speed up the process at any time by getting a job offer!
Hope all is clear & best of luck.