Przemko

Hi

I consider moving to NZ using only visitors visa. We've lodged application
for PR last December, but without a job offer it won't get processed - so
the only option is to travel on a visitors visa, find a job, apply for work
permit, and attach the job offer to our PR application.

We've been browsing through NZIS to find out more about this options, but a
few things remind unclear.

I work in IT, I have formal degree (Master of Engineering with Networking
specialization, recognized by NZQA as Bachelor with Honours) and over 4
years of employment history.

Let's assume I've found a potential employer that's willing to employ me.
What requirements must the job offer meet to satisfy NZIS? Should the job
description contain contain some of SOL IT skills as main requirement?
If so how are they validated? Even though I have at least a few skills that
are on SOL I can't prove I achived them by formal training (at least
'explicite'). Or is my degree (and other commercial certs) a sufficient
proof?

To be more specific. A company wants to hire me as an unix administrator. I
have all the required skills. May NZIS refuse me a work permit? On what
basis?

Next question in connected with work permit type. Which policy should I
choose? General, Work-to-residence? Does it matter at all if we already
lodged PR application?

What about processing time for work permits in Auckland? I've learnt that
some offices can process an application within one day, but what is the
maximal time?

What else shoud I know to implement this plan as flawlessly as possible?

kind regards
przemko

Neil Raines

The success of a Work Permit application will depend on the job offer and a
documentation. The company making the offer has to demonstrate it is real
and they have been unsuccessful in finding a suitable local person. They
will need to provide job descriptions, copies of ads, etc. How quick depends
on how well the documentation has been assembled, and, perhaps, who the
employer is. The more reputable the employer, the quicker the processing.
"
    > Hi
    > I consider moving to NZ using only visitors visa. We've lodged application
    > for PR last December, but without a job offer it won't get processed - so
    > the only option is to travel on a visitors visa, find a job, apply for
work
    > permit, and attach the job offer to our PR application.
    > We've been browsing through NZIS to find out more about this options, but
a few things remind unclear.
    > I work in IT, I have formal degree (Master of Engineering with Networking
    > specialization, recognized by NZQA as Bachelor with Honours) and over 4
    > years of employment history.
    > Let's assume I've found a potential employer that's willing to employ me.
    > What requirements must the job offer meet to satisfy NZIS? Should the job
    > description contain contain some of SOL IT skills as main requirement?
    > If so how are they validated? Even though I have at least a few skills
that
    > are on SOL I can't prove I achived them by formal training (at least
    > 'explicite'). Or is my degree (and other commercial certs) a sufficient
    > proof?
    > To be more specific. A company wants to hire me as an unix administrator.
I
    > have all the required skills. May NZIS refuse me a work permit? On what
    > basis?
    > Next question in connected with work permit type. Which policy should I
    > choose? General, Work-to-residence? Does it matter at all if we already
    > lodged PR application?
    > What about processing time for work permits in Auckland? I've learnt that
    > some offices can process an application within one day, but what is the
    > maximal time?
    > What else shoud I know to implement this plan as flawlessly as possible?
    > kind regards
    > przemko

k_m

I always thought that if the skill was listed in the OSL as various IT skills are then Immigration would accept that there is a shortage and the company hiring you doesnt have to prove it?

Oh also its not easy to find a job if you dont already have a Work Visa or PR :-(

The Simpsons

If your usual occupation (qualification and experience) is on the shortages list, and you have the documents to prove this, then your employer only needs to give you a full job offer and employment contract. They don't need to have advertised etc.

If you are on the shortage list and have all the necessary documentation, then you may be able to get your work permit processed on the same day (I did), but make sure you have your qualification certificate and proof of your work history/experience as well as the other documents etc.

Then all you need to do is write to your NZIS office and ask them to forward your PR application to Auckland for processing now that you have a job/offer.

Good luck

Przemko

The Simpsons wrote:

{cut}

    > If you are on the shortage list and have all the necessary
    > documentation, then you may be able to get your work permit processed on
    > the same day (I did), but make sure you have your qualification
    > certificate and proof of your work history/experience as well as the
    > other documents etc.
    >

Thank you for your response.
I have a few more questions:
1. Did you take all your documents with you to NZ or asked someone to send
them to you after your arival, to avoid difficult questions during check on
the airport?

2. Did you have to leave all the relevant documents at NZIS Auckland or did
they make a photocopy and paid back your orignals?

kind regards
przemko

k_m

Carried all my documents with me in handbaggage... none of my luggage was opened & checked at Auckland airport except for one bag in which I had foodstuff which I declared.... and even that check was just an open & close thing and the officers were very polite and friendly.

Now all I need is a job offer which is seeming really hard to get so far because companies dont seem very interested in sponsoring Work Permits for IT professionals :-(


>Thank you for your response.
>I have a few more questions:
>1. Did you take all your documents with you to NZ or asked >someone to send
>them to you after your arival, to avoid difficult questions during >check on
>the airport?

Przemko

k_m wrote:

    >
    > Carried all my documents with me in handbaggage... none of my luggage
    > was opened & checked at Auckland airport except for one bag in which I
    > had foodstuff which I declared.... and even that check was just an open
    > & close thing and the officers were very polite and friendly.
    >
    >
    >
    > Now all I need is a job offer which is seeming really hard to get so far
    > because companies dont seem very interested in sponsoring Work Permits
    > for IT professionals :-(
    >

I'm not sure what do you mean by 'sponsoring' as there are no special
actions required on the company part. They don't have to register anywhere
as long as the skills they are looking for are on the SOL.
Or am I missing something?

kind regards
przemko

k_m

Sorry.. sponsoring is probably not the right word. What I meant was many arent interested in offering a job to someone who doesnt have a work visa/residency already because they havent had good experiences with Immigration when they have done it previously..... an HR Manager told me quite bluntly that though I was well qualified they didnt want to waste their valuable time trying to satisfy Immigration's requirements.

Havent given up yet and am still looking for a job. I guess youve gotta have skills in some really really niche area to get a job offer quickly.

>I'm not sure what do you mean by 'sponsoring' as there are no >special
>actions required on the company part. They don't have to >register anywhere
>as long as the skills they are looking for are on the SOL.
>Or am I missing something?