Change of plans...

[stndrd]

We were planning on doing the eoi now and hoping to get a job offer while in the states, but now we've decided not to worry about the eio until we get to nz. So, we are pushing to come over in June 06 on either whv(me & wife) w/ visitors visas for the kids or we might all come over on visitors visas and then get a work permit. So were just gonna take the big plunge! We are so excited and our family is taking the news fairly well too (at least better than expected)!

-Brian & April

Just one word of advice, if both you and your wife apply for WHV, you wont be able to bring your children! Part of the WHV conditions is that you must not be accompanied by children. One of you should get the WHV and the rest of the family get visitors permits.

[stndrd]

Thanks for the correction Taffy. :icon_wink:

Do you or anyone else think that it makes the most sense to get a whv for trying to get a job, or do think it would be any better to just have us all get visitors visa's and try?

thanks,
Brian & April

[MotherBear]

Hi both,

Going on a visitor?s visa is always a risk, but it?s one that many others have undertaken before you and have made a go of it. It leaves you free to just pack up and go, the rest you will worry about once you arrive in NZ. One thought is that, if you all go as visitors, you would all need tickets for an onward or return flight (maybe Oz?). If you find a job you would have to apply for a work permit before you could start to work, but that, hopefully, shouldn?t take too long (can be up to max 60 days, but also as quick as just a few days).

If you apply for a WHV (age limit is 30), your wife and children would have to travel on visitors? visas and only they would require return or onward tickets. You would have to find work, either on the Skills Shortages List or for an accredited employer to be able to later convert your WHV to a work permit. With a work permit you can then work towards residency.

Whether you go as a visitor or on a WHV, it will be much easier for you to find work once you?re in NZ. I?m not sure how long it would take for you to obtain a WHV, but if it?s going to be longer than June, you?d be better off just going as tourists if you?re keen to get down there. With a WHV in your hand you could start work immediately you found a job but, there again, it shouldn?t take long to get a work permit either, especially if you?re already in the country. I'm not sure how a potential employer would look upon you with a WHV and whether he/she would assume you are only intending to stay for a limited period in NZ or perhaps they'd think a WHV was better than no visa at all. Some that want you to start immediately might approve of the WHV, while others are quite prepared to wait a while until you get your work permit.

[stndrd]

Thanks for the great info MB!

I found out some good news when we were telling my wifes parent's the news of the move; they have been to NZ before and they know a person who works with city in Chch and the head IT person where he works is an ex-Welly who has contacts in both cities. So hopefully that could be a good start as he very willing to help us. I would much rather have a job in hand before the move, yet were prepared either way.

thanks,
Brian & April

[MotherBear]

That's a great example of 'It's not what you know, but who you know'. Let's hope the contact can help out, as there's nothing quite like having someone on the 'inside'. Good luck to you all. :023: