work to residency, work visa

[bugeyeguy]

Greetings,
Now that the EOI numbers are in my neighorhood, I thought I'd ask the advice of the group about applying for a work visa so that I can move to NZ, get a job and then submit my EOI.

What do you think of this plan of attack?

I'm currently in California. Do I need to apply for the work visa from here? I have been to NZ once before and fell in love with the friendly people and easy on the eyes scenery.
All/any advice is appreciated. THANKS! :D

Tom

Hi Tom,

You don't have to apply for a work visa before you arrive. You can just go for a holiday, find work and then apply for one in NZ. Its a good plan of attack, provided the job you find meets the criteria of both the work permit and then the residency application.

Hope that helps!

Come to New Zealand on vacation, go to a job interview, get an offer of employment and then file the work permit paperwork... ? hmmm.

Can one really do it that way? Travel to NZ under the premise of being on holiday, and never return to ones' home country? Am I reading this incorrectly? I was led to believe that I'd need to be legally able to work in New Zealand BEFORE I could even be offered a job.

I don't figure that I'm ready enough to come over and stay right away but maybe you're right Taffy, who would hold open a job offer long enough to get all the processes taken care of? I would guess that the processes would have to be run through in any case, but is it that much faster if you're there while the work permit papers are pushed through?

Thanks for the great site. I think it's neat to see the many, varied opinions and questions from people all trying to accomplish the same objective, yet coming from different starting points.

Cheers,
Tom

Hi,
Yep, visit NZ on holiday, get a job offer, get a work permit based on that offer, apply for residency.
Lots has done it that way.

Many of the agency sites say 'you need a work permit to apply for this vacancy'.
Don't believe everything you read !
They mean 'we don't want the hassle, we'd rather get someone who can start straight away, to take the job, so we can get our money quickly'.

Some sell up and go, hoping to get a job.
Some visit on a short holiday, get a job offer, then sell up.
Some even get job offers remotely.
If you have enought points, and the selection point is low enough, you can even get a work permit/residency before you get a job.

Cheers

Steve