Suesherr

Hi,
My husband and I are looking to emigrate to NZ some time this year. For the visas we need, one of us will need to find employment in NZ. This seems to be a bit tricky from the UK!
We have been pricing various different 'migration expert' options and they seem to be a fortune.
Would it be too risky to just come over, find work whilst we're there on a tourist visa, and then apply for the work permit once in receipt of the job offer?
My husband is an Advanced Scaffolder and I'm in purchasing.
Thanks

BEVS

Do you mean that without a job offer you wouldn't have enough points on the skilled migrant category?

alanmacc

Most NZ companies will not offer a job unless you have a work permit, its a bit of a double edged sword really

Suesherr

Yes. I believe that my husband doesn't qualify for the skilled migrant category at all since they took scaffolding off the Shortages List, and I'm not convinced that my Purchasing background will be enough to get the full points for the Procurement Manager post on the list.

We thought it might be (relatively) easier for him to get a scaffolding job and wait a few weeks for a work permit, than it would be for me to apply for jobs long distance.

Does that make sense?

Wooly_Cow

Your best bet is to check the NZIS website or contact them for information.

The following is not advice but my opinion which should not be relied upon or quoted.

My understanding is that you are not allowed to apply for jobs, go to interviews and certainly not be employed permanently on a tourist visa.

You will not get an IRD (Tax) number on that visa also.

There are visas where you can get temporary jobs (working holiday visas I think).

Like has been said it's a rock and a hard place I'm afraid.

BEVS

Yes. It makes sense. You are looking at Work to Residence.

As you say, scaffolder doesn't seem to appear on the list of skilled occupations so the skilled migrant category is no good to him.

It also doesn't appear to be a trade in shortage here so that means that any NZ employer offering your husband a job must prove to NZIS that there is no NZ resident or citizen that could do that job.

The only type of NZ employer that wouldn't have to do this and would be free, as it were, to offer your husband a job if they had one, would be one off the NZIS accredited list of employers.

Most employers out here do prefer to see people already on NZ soil before offering them work. Also, many believe (wrongly) that it is a work permit in place first before a job offer so it is tough to get those job offers when the occupation isn't even in shortage.... if you see what I mean. NZ folks will offer to NZ folks .

Please note that as far as I am aware it isn't actually allowed that you enter NZ on a tourist visa with the precise intention of attending interviews/ looking for work. Yes, I know you will have read of people that may have done this, but it still isn't what a tourist visa is for & immigration could pull you up .

If you are going to take a punt at it, this way , then at least line up some contacts who may be interested. approach trade recruitment agencies. Contact scaffolding companies you find via the NZ yellow pages. Look through the accredited employer list and contact any that may employ scaffoldes. Contact the various councils here in Nz and ask which companies are currently on large contruction works etc.

You will probably need some sort of trade 'ticket' . You know the sort of thing. OSH - H&S etc. . Of course, you will also need to show NZIS that your OH has the quals/work experience for the trade.

good luck with whatever you decide to do.

thedtb

We did exactly what you are contemplating... (my wife is a teacher).... we came across as tourists, found the job and then applied for the permits etc whilst out here.

As a UK citizen you get a six month permit/visa... however this is reduced to 3 months if your trip is specifically to attend job interviews or do anything "business related" (with the exception of actually working which would not be permitted).

Note that this approach to get here as tourists and then attend job interviews was actually first suggested to us by someone from NZ Immigration doing a speech at one of the EMIGRATE shows.

We didn't want to be "caught" by immigration at the airport and have our visitor permits reduced to 3 months so to be doubly safe, we opened a PO BOX in Wellington (from the UK), posted all of our supporting documentation (marriage certificates, qualifications etc etc) ahead of us and then simply went to collect it once we'd landed in New Zealand.

The full six month visit was focused on by the immigration officer when we got off the airplane, but we simply explained that we wanted to live in NZ and were taking as much time as possible to explore as much of NZ as possible before settling on a place to actually live.... he wished us good luck and we were on our way.

Whilst actively seeking employment on a visitors permit (especially the full 6 month version) may be slightly bending the rules... it happens all of the time so far as I/we can tell.

I would however state (as you'll see in may previous posts if you dig them out) that this way around is not for the fainthearted.

If you want to pick my/our brains further, don't hesitate to ask.

blackburn lass

Hi,

My husband has gone over on a visitors visa with the plan of finding a job that he is qualified to do, which is on the needed list. He has really struggled and after 5 months has only managed to find a job which unfortunatly isn't on the list and is now waiting to here from immigration (they have set a decision date of Thurs).

It has cost a lot of money and a lot of stress, the problem is trying to get NZ to understand that you need the job offer before getting a visa, and I think this worries them so they give it to a Kiwi.

If we didn't have a child and a dog I would have gone with him and done it this way, but you have to prioritise some things.

If you have plenty of money to live off for 6 months and can cope with stress and frustration, give it a go. It's got to better than here!

Good Luck
Dawn X

scrubbedexpat094

Hi!

My OH is in Procurement & is on the NZ committee of CIPS. I think you stand a very good chance of getting work in NZ as they are short of good procurement professionals. It's a fairly new area of development in Australasia. Many purchasing departments are still working to the old style of 'screwing suppliers on price' , rather than working on supplier relationships etc. But business is cottoning on fast .

He has managed to get jobs whilst still in the UK, first in 2004 & then in 2006. The latter place was 'happy' to wait 6 months for him before we came back to NZ.

We actually got our PR on the back of his job as he got a job with an accredited employer, who stated that they couldn't find anyone else to do the job.

HTH

scrubbedexpat094

OH got his second job using Suzanne at www.januarygroup.co.nz

Suesherr

Thanks for this...really useful.

Since posting my first message it would appear that we are in a better position than I originally thought. Our immigration expert has advised that my CIPS qualification (in conjunction with some other factors) should get us enough points for Permanent Residency without the need to find jobs before we arrive...fingers crossed.

AndyR

It is risky but that is what we did anyway.

We came over the week before xmas on a working holiday visa. Started applying for jobs straight away and had the 1st interview in 2 days. Shopped around a fair bit though, but took a really good job up 3 weeks after landing and have been there since, plus they were happy to sponsor for the work visa which we are applying for on Monday.

The wife also picked up a role last week and starts on Monday as a PA. I'm in IT Systems Admin btw.

It does seem to be once you are here they will start talking to you regarding jobs. I'd give it a try! Good luck!

ibex

10 different people and 10 different experience.

We were on 1 month recce last year. Our primary focus was to see the country, people and decide whether we would like to live there. This had been based on some contradictive information one may get from the forums. As we survived the terrible jet lag I soon began to realize (while meeting friendly smiling people, eating gorgeous fresh food and seeing the landscape) that my 10 year dream would only be fulfilled when I may land there permanently. So I began with some level of "job hunting", with 2 kids, secure jobs and property back home we couldn't involve more risk like just staying there and let it happen (although now I wish I would). My job is on LTSSL (being treated as not comparable labour market this is the only option), I have appropriate qualification (IT project management/analysis) but still I can summarize replies as "We are interested but get the visa first" or when applying from overseas this seems their default answer: "After careful consideration, we regret to advise you that your application has not been successful. While you have valuable skills and experience to offer, in this instance there are other candidates more suited to this particular role."

So we had to return back home (I must admit I felt terrible when leaving AKL airport and even worse when we landed in Munich), this was our initial plan anyhow and since then we have been on the road full of holes toward PR. I hope it is worth waiting although I am a bit afraid of WTR->PR kind of visa, not that I feel unable to find a job, but it just gives you very limited time and field to look for. But I wake up every day with the feeling like "Is today the day?" (to be hearing something back from NZIS). It is easy to say one should just continue with their life as normally. But you can't. At least not me. What ifs are melted throughout the day. Every day.

If I were without kids, I would risk everything and probably just go there as visitor.

Good luck whatever you decide.

rja4096

Hi, Vitalstatistix,

You mention there is a shortage of good procurement professionals in NZ. I'm a 'Commissioning Officer' at North Lincolnshire council in the UK.

My Wife has a job offer in NZ as a nurse, and I'm now looking at what jobs I can get overthere.

I've struggled to find any Commissioning jobs, do you have any clue as to which organisations I could look at, I'd like a local council near Auckland.

The bit I'm struggling with is the term 'procurement' and 'commissioning' and how these translate in NZ, I just need to know what jobs to search for -what the equivalents are

Any pointer would be really useful, thanks, Rick

scrubbedexpat094

Suesherr - you're very welcome. We met up with some friends of ours on saturday, one of whom works within the Purchasing Dept at Auckland District Health Board (my OH used to work with her there 5 years ago). She was telling me that they are short of 2 Procurement Specialists. I've had a look on ADHB's website & can't see anything advertised but I think it's worth contacting them anyway if you're interested. The website address is http://www.adhb.gov.nz & head to the careers page. There's an email address to contact if you can't find the job you're looking for. They are looking for good people most of the time & you can usually negotiate a good recruitment package with them. Cost of flight over, accommodation for a couple of weeks. The Purchasing Dept is based at the Green Lane site (for living & travelling info).

Rick - I mentioned to my OH about your request & unfortunately he has never heard of "Commisioning Officers". With the exception of the above job, he has always worked in Business & Manufacturing eg. Telecomms, Aerospace & Car manufacture. So he has no working knowledge of L.A. purchasing. So I'm very sorry but I'm unable to help you there. Maybe you could try contacting Suzanne O'Leary at the January Group & finding more out from her & if she can point you in the right direction.

As for the councils in Auckland, it's not the best time to be applying due to the restructuring going on with the new 'Super City'. Everything is all 'up in the air' at present with some jobs under threat. My OH was offered a job with Rodney District Council this time last year but decided not to take it for a number of reasons including the uncertainty the above would cause him long term.

Sorry I can't be more positive. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I should contact the councils anyway. Good luck Rick.