Some questions

[markr]

HI All,

Some questions for you folks.

I?m a 32 yo IT professional from the USA thinking about going to NZ.
I apologize if these have been addressed in other threads.

1. Tuberculosis, is it really that widespread?
2. Looking to move near a place that has:
? A hip/happening area (youngish <45)
? Public transport system reliable enough for day to day use (to/from work)
? A nice nightlife, clubs, dining, dancing, partying & such


So I?ve been thinking about either Chch or Auckland, or cheaper suburbs like Kingsland, Marlborough, Mt Eden. (Public transportation permitting).

3. Is there much diff between a work permit & visa?
4. I?m in the IT industry, have been troubleshooting/desktop support & some LAN admin for about ten years (currently unemployed). I have had some college but have no degree. I have some certifications, CCNA, MCP, CNA, A+. It looks like there?s a need for this technology over there; however, realistically how plentiful are the jobs in this area?
5. As far as this point system is concerned, I rate myself initially & it looks like I submit an EOI to them & it looks like they ?verify? my points, is that how it works?
6. IF so, is there anyway you folks know of where I can be assured what my points are before paying the $370 for the EOI?
7. What is the diff between the different visas & medical? Meaning what do I need to do to get med coverage?

Opinion of this process:
Step 1: You complete an initial self-assessment

Step 2: You submit an Expression of Interest

Step 3: We rank Expressions of Interest and invite those with the top points to apply for residence

Step 4: We ask you to apply for residence

Step 5: Decision-making

Step 6: Welcome to New Zealand ? we want to stay in touch with you


1. How long does it actually take?
2. In your experience, how difficult has it been for people to land a job with a company remotely & be sponsored by them before going?
3. I?ve heard it?s easier to there on a vacation permit, then interview with employers who will sponsor you for a visa or work permit. What do you think about that?

Thanks very much for your input,

Mark



:icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen:

[nessie]

Hi :039:

You could do with a few A, B , C options along with the 1, 2, 3's to stop number repetition :icon_lol:

1. Dunno.
2. I'm not in IT so don't know for sure but I've heard that Wellington is a good centre for those in IT. AFAIK it is also swinging, and the nightlife is in one area so punlic transport should feed it.
3. Someone else can highlight the differences. We're going for skilled migrant, its more expensive and longer process but mainly because it gives certainty. Before we sell house and cars etc and move our life across the world we know we're entitled to live and work there.
4. Dunno. Try searching online for jobs.
5. My understanding is yes, they check the EOI for anything stupid and if you're over the threshold you get ITA.
6. The EOI online tots up your points, at the moment the threshold is 100 but it does change, so if you're over that you're in.
7. Dunno.

Step 4 involves getting medicals, police checks, qualification verified by NZQA and gathering all the paperwork to support what you stated in the EOI.

1. In our experience 1 month to complete EOI (but you can do it quicker it was just boring and confusing), 2 months to get ITA, 2 months to gather stuff (see Step 4) but you are allowed up to 4 months and we've read elsewwhere that once you get the RA in it is really quick, less than a month.
2. Don't have first hand, but have talked to recruitment people and thhat sounds v difficult.
3. Easier than 2, cos you're there already and willing and able to work not 20,000 kms away. If it was just me and not whole family and if there wasn't loads of financial stuff to sort out I'd do it, but not now, I want certainty.

F

[SteveNetWriter]

Hi Mark,
3. A visa is a stamp in your passport that entitles you to enter NZ. A permit is another stamp that entitles to saty in NZ for a specific purpose and time.

4. Sadly, I get the impression that IT admin type jobs are not so easy to get. That doesn't mean you won't/can't. Just maybe not the easiest.

5. Yes. You submit your EOI based on what you think. They then need proof of qualifications and workk experience when you submit your ITA. This is where some people come unstuck of course, because they award themselves the wrong points. In particular with qualifications that need assessing !

6. Contact NZIS, or tell us - and we'll try to see if they look right !

It's not so easy to land a job remotely unless you're looking for something like bricklaying. The trades are much more sought after, and with the lower wages, eager to get people.
You really need to be in NZ.

Check out my table for timings:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/neuraln...oitimings.html

The best route if you have the points is to get PR first, without a job offer. Then you have no restrictions on the jobs you can get.

I hope that helps.
Cheers
Steve

[Lisa]

Hi

As far as TB is concerned, I recently heard it's the fastest growing disease in the Western world after AIDS. I personally know of someone who had TB recently and lots of contacts who had to go to hospital for chest xrays, me being one of them, luckily it turned out for us at least that we were okay. The nurse told me that they were only seeing the contacts as a precaution and that it would be highly unlikely we would have it. The wife and kids of this guy hadn't caught it. You have to have eight hours constant exposure in a confined space to be at risk. She told me this after I asked her how she had the guts to see people with TB.

I'm in England BTW. I'm sure TB is no more a problem in NZ than it is in America or Europe.

I think Steve & Nessie have answered your other points.

Lisa :icon_biggrin: