planty

When your going through the immigration process, and friends (that you've told) ask how things are going, they can't believe how much work goes into it or how much its actually costs us, and all have said to us, about how our government let anyone and everyone into England, but just in case you thought this was hard going take a look at what the one of the NZ opposition parties want to do with immigration if they get elected...........

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?...ectID=10339657

uk+kiwi

Interesting reading Planty. Makes complete sense to me and is something the UK could benefit from considering

JAJ

If they implement this in full, then it will mean *nine* years to get NZ citizenship, because under the new rules just introduced, the residence period has not only gone to five years, but time on a temporary visa does not count.

Another problem that will be encountered is that people on temporary visas, even if they have work rights, can often find it harder to get good jobs because employers are scared of hiring people without permanent status.

Two of the reasons quoted can be resolved without resorting to such drastic measures. Deporting permanent residents who commit crimes is not really a problem, Australia does it all the time (including sending numerous Kiwis back to NZ).

And as for welfare, again Australia has imposed restrictions on new migrants claiming welfare without resorting to 'provisional' visas.

NZ needs to be careful as with things going the way they are, people who qualify for NZ and Australia (ie the migrants NZ really wants) are increasingly finding Australia more attractive.

Jeremy

uk+kiwi

Very good point Jeremy and something that didn't occur to me - also 9 years does seem a bit on the long side.

shepslady

Good reading indeed but not the real answer. I think Mr Brash is just hoping to gain some votes with this. No way is somethinglike that going to be good for NZ in the long run. Dont think Mr Brash is looking at the big picture here at all.
NZ needs immigrants & if its going to take someone 9 years to gain citizenship etc why would they look at coming to NZ when they could head across to Oz instead & it cant afford to lose immigrants. Whether NZ & Kiwis like to admit it, its survival depends on immigrants .
Another reason IMHO that I personally dont want to see National win the upcoming election. To those who think things are expensive in NZ now, they only get worse with a National led government. Helen may not be everyones cup of tea but Mr Brash & his nat cronies will not do any better.

livewire

Is immigration really that tough - it's a lot easier getting into NZ than Australia at the moment.

I think it's just hard enough to take your mind off the salaries, lol!!!

JAJ

The "lowest-grade" Australian visa available, Skilled Independent Regional, or SIR, (a temporary visa) now requires just over 100 points plus state sponsorship.

It's a temporary visa, more hoops to jump through to get permanent residence, and hassles meanwhile.

Arguably, immediate PR in New Zealand is more worthwhile, even with the new 5 year to citizenship rule.

However if this idea comes to fruition, the "four year provisional visa" offered by NZ will be much less attractive than even the SIR visa offered by Australia.

Also - many migrants have alternatives that go beyond Australia. Canada is one. The US is another. Staying at home is a third (especially for those with established lives already in the UK, US or Canada).

Economically New Zealand offers less than either Australia or Canada, and is more remote on top of that. If the NZ migration system becomes radically less attractive than the alternatives (or stay at home), the only people migrating to NZ will be those who both cannot get in anywhere else, and are desperate to leave their current country.

Of course none of this means that NZ won't try it out, only then to wonder why the numbers of people applying to migrate drops to something approaching zero.

Jeremy

fatbrit

The US is by far the most difficult in the common OZ/NZ/Canada/US group of English-speaking expat destinations. Except for a few exceptionally lucky ones (mainly: marriage, parents, nurse, DV), most take at least a decade and more getting to US citizenship. And many more enter legally (e.g. E2) with little or no hope of ever attaining permanent resident status.

Rascal

Excellent point there. You should tell National that eh?
But you have made a valid point.

JAJ

That's true, but if you're going to spend years on a "provisional visa" then maybe a US H1-B isn't too bad as long as you save up your money and don't get too attached to the US. Salaries in America are far better than in New Zealand.

And then use that money to settle in Canada with a PR visa there (Canada PR takes a long time to process currently).

The point I'm making is that people have choices and if NZ makes things too hard then its most desirable migrants will either look elsewhere or stay at home.


Jeremy

fatbrit

Understand your point but I was just trying to stem the flow of would-be new immigrants to the USA forum hoping to live in Orlando.

The answers for anybody interested in how to live and work in the USA are here before anybody comes asking. Not that you aren't all most welcome, of course.

livewire

If National made it any harder then I'm sure they'd regret it within months. Hell, there is enough of a problem trying to recruit police, prison officers, roading workers, bus drivers, etc. without them resticting the candidate pool any further.

mumomonty

Live wire, it took us 4 attempts to get into Oz but we are here now . For us it was easier to get a PR to Oz although it wasn't easy!

scottish

Bit off topic here but hubby got offered a job in Florida, apartment included etc and we were told point blank you will not get a visa. The job is a maintenance manager for 2 apartment/hotels.

Does anyone know of a way round this then???

JAJ

That question should be asked on the US immigration forum. No-one here is likely to have the answer.

Bottom line is though - no visa, no job. There's no "way around" that.


Jeremy