Do I have a chance?

[salik]

out of my ignorance I figured that moving to another country would be as simple as filling out visa paperwork, getting approved, moving and looking for a job.

My situation is that I'm thinking about moving to NZ temporarily, meaning for about 3 years.

I don't think I qualify for any of the skilled labor NZ is looking for. I've been working at Charles Schwab (administrative work) for the past 2 1/2 years. I was planning on moving to NZ at the end of 2008.

I'm single 27 years old, only speak english.

I guess I'm just an average person wanting to move to NZ, I was planning to save money and then look for a job when I got there.

any advise on what is the best path for me to take? I'm open to anything realy, seaonal work etc.

[MotherBear]

Hi Salik and welcome to the forum.

Have you looked into applying for a Working Holiday Visa ? It depends which country you are from whether there is a scheme running or not. Unfortunately it wouldn't be for 3 years but, for some countries, it can be up to 2 years. You don't need a job offer and you don't need any particular skills to apply so it's the easiest way in.

If you had skills that NZ wants you could have applied for a Work Permit which you can get for up to 3 years, with the option of extending. If you are an administrative manager you could probably have scraped in.

It really is quite difficult to get into NZ long term unless you have what they want or you have someone to sponsor you.

[salik]

Originally Posted by MotherBear

Hi Salik and welcome to the forum.

Have you looked into applying for a Working Holiday Visa ? It depends which country you are from whether there is a scheme running or not. Unfortunately it wouldn't be for 3 years but, for some countries, it can be up to 2 years. You don't need a job offer and you don't need any particular skills to apply so it's the easiest way in.

If you had skills that NZ wants you could have applied for a Work Permit which you can get for up to 3 years, with the option of extending. If you are an administrative manager you could probably have scraped in.

It really is quite difficult to get into NZ long term unless you have what they want or you have someone to sponsor you.

If you are married to someone that lives in NZ can you stay longer? what if you marry them after you move there?

My situation is that I was going to move to NZ because I was going to get married and then after 3 years we were going to move.

[MotherBear]

Aaah, now the rest of the story is coming out. If your partner is either a kiwi or holds full PR (that is, with no conditions) she can sponsor you (under various conditions) or you can get a WP through your relationship with her, which might suit your needs better. If you look around the forum, I've posted a link for the latter route very recently. You don't have to be married to apply for this type of visa, just be in a committed and long term relationship. Take a look at the requirements and see if they fit your circumstances. I would be cautious about admitting to INZ that you only intend staying for 3 years though. This type of visa is intended to bring couples together in NZ permanently.

If you finally managed to apply for and be granted PR, you would be able to stay indefinitely otherwise you could only stay for the length of your WP.

[salik]

Originally Posted by MotherBear

Aaah, now the rest of the story is coming out. If your partner is either a kiwi or holds full PR (that is, with no conditions) she can sponsor you (under various conditions) or you can get a WP through your relationship with her, which might suit your needs better. If you look around the forum, I've posted a link for the latter route very recently. You don't have to be married to apply for this type of visa, just be in a committed and long term relationship. Take a look at the requirements and see if they fit your circumstances. I would be cautious about admitting to INZ that you only intend staying for 3 years though. This type of visa is intended to bring couples together in NZ permanently.

If you finally managed to apply for and be granted PR, you would be able to stay indefinitely otherwise you could only stay for the length of your WP.

well she is a rufugee and has been in NZ for about 4 years so I'm guessing that is a condition right there. I think she get's her passport at the end of this year. I'm not sure though.

[Tamira]

Hi Salik,
I am in a somehow similar situation, as my partner is living in NZ to (he is surely a kiwi, though)... And now I wonder... with you living where you live right now, and your girl friend living in NZ, you probably did not live together for a year yet, right?
Because to apply for the partnership visa you apperently have to have lived in a "stable relationship" with your partner before, meaning living together with him at one place...
My bf and I have met each other and i want to move to NZ, but we neverreally lIVED together yet...
So this visa is not working for me (and if I assume right for you neither, but I could be wrong)...
It was with this problem I came into this forum... and Taffy gave me the tip to apply for the working holiday visa first... It can be long enough to last a year... and after a year you can apply for the partner visum...
I think I'll do that... and mayvbe it'S a way for you too!
Bye, Tam