NicoNZ

Hi all, we are looking at applying for jobs in NZ. We have been in contact with WorkingIn immigration advisors who say that if you use them you have a much better chance of securing a job. They help you get the checks in place and then you get an extra page to add to your CV showing you've been through the process with them, saying that you would be quick to apply and secure a visa as you've already done some of the pre-checks. Apparently employers often throw away applications which don't have this sort of immigation advisor check with the CV as they don't really understand the whole visa process and can't assess if it is likely the candidate will be successful in getting a visa. Is this really true?

On us: we are engineers with 8 years' work experience, but my spouse has a physics degree which I suspect may make things a little more complicated in terms of gaining approval?

MrsFychan

and how much will they charge you for this? I far as I am aware more people do it themselves than get a agency. You still have to provide all the evidence just means you have a middle man between you and immigration. First you will need to establish if you may be eligible for a visa if you get a job. Even with a job offer it doesn't mean they will give you a visa.
When you say you are engineers, what type?

Tom H

Word of advice

Do not use Working In

Without being disrespectful to them, you're chucking money away if you go down that route with them. I made that big mistake in 2011 as they told me I couldn't get a skilled migrant visa because of my degree. Turns out that was complete rubbish as I had more than enough points with the job offer to get the 240 I think it was back then. Think it cost £500, which could have gone on many other areas of our move.

Best thing to do is search the list of accreditation companies if you're looking for a job. They know the process, they know the ins and outs and the majority of them will have a specialist immigration adviser they use, which they will fund for you to come over.

Plus there's a website called newkiwis (well there was when I moved over), where I got my resume updated to be in line with how its done here.

BEVS

I agree Tom.

jarv5116

Best thing todo.

Is get your self on the NZ immigration website.
Search for Accreditted employers list.

Put your field of expertise in the drop box and look and see what companies match your and your husbands job description.
Write emails to the various companies sending your current CV.
The companies on the accredited employers list are actively seeking foreigners in the workforce. they have faster and easier access to get your visas sorted.

NicoNZ

What's the success rate for people getting visas (who have job offers)?
I'm mechanical/materials engineer (in fairly niche area but I can branch out) and he's mechanical design.

NicoNZ

I appreciate sharing your experience. Please can you share how you know that the employers are so clued up? There's been loads of changes recently. The newkiwis site looks good, thanks.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

jarv5116

probably 100% if its through a accredited employer on a work to residence visa.
Unless you have some alarm bells things like a serious medical problem or police history its a pretty straight forward process.
My original 30month visa took less than 10 days to process. my wife was a less than a week at the time.
I had a police caution on my Police check. from 16 years ago. when I was 19 years old.

The most time consuming thing is gathering and scanning all the paper work you need.
There just seems to be a never ending amount of paper work that needs sorting.

Justcol

There is a shortage of people with specific skills in NZ, always has been as many move overseas to earn more. NZ companies have relied on immigrants to fill posts for decades and will be familiar with the process

Tom H

The majority of the companies on the accredited list will either have a relationship with a specialist immigration adviser that you will use, or they have people within the HR department that oversee it. Before going on the list, they have to make sure they meet certain requirements before offering a vacancy to overseas workers. From the sound of it, its far more complicated for the employer now than what it was before. Nothing for potential employees to worry about - one of the benefits is that the minimum pay now is around $80k instead of $55k as it was when I moved over in 2011.