Do you have any experience getting a working visa without previous job offer?

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itoperatorguy

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#191066 22-Jan-2016 08:56

Hi Everybody,

I am thinking about moving to New Zealand with my wife. She is a Software Developer (with Master degree and 5 years experience) I am System Admin (with Bachelor degree and 5 years experience). We are both EU citizens.

I already read about how can we apply to a proper work visa. And based on what I read there is a "scoring system" based on our age and profession etc. If you register into the system your info getting into a pool and if you have more than 140 points you have better chances.

Based on the online calculator I will have around 120 points and she will have 130. The only way to increase this points is to have a job offer before we are applying.

So my questions are: how hard is to get a job offer if I don't have visa yet? We registered a few sites listed on [i] https://www.careers.govt.nz/job-hunting/job-vacancy-and-recruitment-websites/ [i] but so far nothing. Or does somebody has an experience about how hard to actually win a visa with a little bit less than 140 points? For example I read somewhere that if you apply a green card lottery to the US 50 times, then you overall chances will be around 2%. But I did not find similar statistics about New Zealand.

Thanks in advance.

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3552 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1476545 22-Jan-2016 09:04

I would think not easy, who want's to employ someone over seas with loads of paperwork involved if they can hire locally? Not meaning to sound harsh, but that's the reality.

Don't you get more points if you you live outside of Auckland, have you looked into that?

rp1790

738 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1476561 22-Jan-2016 09:14

Be very hard to get a job offer without being in the country unless you were in a very specialized area that couldn't be filled by someone already here.

Job market is ok at the moment so I'd say "come on over" you'll love it!!

Also, best job sites are seek.co.nz and http://www.trademe.co.nz/jobs. Personally I find seek the best.

Good luck.

- Rick

marpada

475 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1476572 22-Jan-2016 09:30

It it's not unlikely that a company offers you visa sponsorship it you have the right skills and experience, which it seems you both have, as the talent pool in NZ is very small. You'll have far better chances if you are already in the country though. As said there're many opportunities in the IT industry currently so you might start getting calls the week you arrive.

Most of the jobs ads say don't apply unless you are a valid visa holder. Don't let that put you down for senior roles as they will be happy to change their mind if they don't find a right candidate.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79263 posts

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1476585 22-Jan-2016 09:46

You didn't say what exactly your skills are but if it's in the Microsoft stack you should both look at the Intergen careers page - they are always looking for .Net developers, Microsoft Dynamics consultants/developers and might have something for operators (not sure on this one).

For disclosure: I work in Intergen's marketing team and I do not have any influence in hiring.

itoperatorguy

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1476604 22-Jan-2016 10:01

Wow I did not expected this many replies so fast. Thanks a lot.

I am already on seek.co.nz but the funny thing about tradme is that you can not register unless you give a real New Zealand (or maybe Australian) address on the registration form.

So you think we will have better chances if we go there even only with a temporary turist visa? Does anybody know our chances to get the visa first with only 120-130 points (so basically with no job offer)?

And about our skills: I have 3 years Oracle DBA experience and 2 years Linux Administration. Now I would like to move into Cloud Engineer-ing (preferably OpenStack). My wife is a Java Developer with 1 year JavaScript and NoSQL experience.

My linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itoperatorguy
My wife linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beata-urmos-94289730

Again thank you guys for your quick answers. We don't know anybody personally in the area so any tip is useful for us and we appreciate it very much.

russelo

328 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1476626 22-Jan-2016 10:33

I am a software developer and I came here 5 years ago on a work visa. I found that job through seek.co.nz and my employer, an R&D company, was happy to do all the paperworks necessary for me to get a work visa. They have to convince immigration that they have advertised locally and could not find a candidate (maybe not much skills available locally for C/C++ position during that time).

Just keep applying. If the local pool is short, there will be an employer willing to sponsor your work visa if they like your CV enough.

Smix

111 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1476663 22-Jan-2016 11:05

We contract our dev work to Catalyst IT, and their website states they're always looking for people. Within the team that works for us, they've brought in internationals before. They specialise in Open Source solutions and have recently launched Cloud Services. Based on what you've said, it could be something you're interested in?

I also see they're looking for Linux SysAdmins...

Wise

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itoperatorguy

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1478665 25-Jan-2016 23:07

Hi,

Sorry for the late rasponse and thanks the tip. On their website they are saying that "Applicants for this position must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa." But anyway I will send my resume and see what happens (the company looks interesting well enough). :)

jonb

1771 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1478670 25-Jan-2016 23:23

I had about the same amount of immigration points when I applied in 2007. With 125 points and education and experience in an area of skills shortage (software dev) was selected out of the pool a few months after submitting the expression of interest. Arrived in NZ with a Work to Residence visa (would normally have been awarded a Residence Visa straight away but other circumstances meant a Work to residence visa) and started applying for jobs in NZ after landing, after first lining up a few interviews before emigrating.

I don't know the current immigration points situation, but if with the education and experience of your wife especially you should be selected from the <140 points pool in under the 1 year maximum. 140 points means you are selected immediately, 130 and skill shortage points I woudl expect you would be selected from the pool before the 12months limit is expired. If you have the money just apply for EOI without a job offer, in your case. You are able to update your EOI after submission to include a job offer if you get one in the meantime.

Once you are selected and have your work visa, employers are much more willing to give phone interviews etc, or to sign on with agencies to be ready to move things forward quicker once you land in NZ.

Edit: Looking at the latest EOI selections, they seem to be heavily biased to those <140 points but with a job offer, so it seems a job offer is more important today.

http://formshelp.immigration.govt.nz/SkilledMigrant/ExpressionOfInterest/HistoryOfSelectionPoints/default.htm

You could still submit the EOI, and then make further job enquiries, maybe including a holiday to NZ to scope out, and apply to jobs saying you have already submitted an EOI and is only requiring a job offer to be able to start work within a few months.

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1478715 26-Jan-2016 08:14

I hire people from overseas regularly. I tend to go for more senior roles though, and your experience is at the intermediate level. However, I'm only serious about hiring those who WANT to come to NZ, and one key indicator for me is if the applicant for a job has started the immigration process already.

Another reason for getting on with it is, I need the resource in a few weeks, I don't want to wait months. Not starting the process can mean months of wait (noting there are fast-track options).

So commence the immigration process and in parallel look for a job. If you jag one, just update Immigration. Let the employer know you have started the process.

Also, come up with a good rationale for why you are wanting to move to NZ. I am interested in the motives, and again, showing a serious intent is important to an employer.

It costs a lot to hire a professional, and as an employer I'm expecting a career-minded applicant with whom I have a reasonable prospective future.

kobiak

1615 posts

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#1478719 26-Jan-2016 08:19

Silver fern visa is your best option.

And YES I know people who applied for jobs listed on seek from overseas and it was successful and most of companies will even pay for relocation :)

helping others at evgenyk.nz

Azzura

603 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1478726 26-Jan-2016 08:21

Perhaps ask over at ENZ forums

darkasdes2

428 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1478729 26-Jan-2016 08:26

If you are in the EU, I would suggest contacting Migration Associates in London.

http://www.migrationassociates.com/

The owner is a Kiwi lawyer who specializes in NZ visas. They were fantastic for my partner's NZ visa who is Canadian.

Flattie

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1496133 20-Feb-2016 11:02

My answer might be a bit late, but are you familiar with the skill shortage lists? If your job is on that list (and I think it is), you will get bonus points, which might be enough to get your wife up or over the 140 points. If you have 140 points or more, you will automatically get selected to be invited to lodge a full application, even without a job offer. (The assumption behind that is that you are so qualified / that your skills are so useful that you'll be able to find a job once you are here.) Also, did you include your wife (and vice versa) when you calculated each other's points?

dryburn

430 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1496448 21-Feb-2016 05:12

kobiak:

Silver fern visa is your best option.

And YES I know people who applied for jobs listed on seek from overseas and it was successful and most of companies will even pay for relocation :)

Decided to start a new thread here http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=75&topicid=191926 since my reply was extremely long

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