Struggling to migrate to New Zealand without a solid job offer

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RickAvlonitis

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 115145 15-Mar-2013 08:13

Hi guys,

I'm a South African looking to migrate to New Zealand with my wife. We're particularly interested in the Auckland region. I've applied on the immigration site and am short 5 measly points (without a job offer) to get automatic entry. With a job offer, I'll have 200 points. The catch-22 is that the agents all say that employers insist on a face to face interview. That's going to cost me a bomb with the moving costs and all. I've been quite successful in my Java career thus far (5 years +) and am able to contribute much to the right company. I have broad experience in the Java space.

Are there any employers out there willing to Skype me? Will code Java for food!

Cheers,
Rick

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Reply # 782068 15-Mar-2013 08:47

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Our Situation is a little different but we have "imported" our last two employee's from Scotland, and the interview process went completely through Skype. So yes it is possible, you just have to find the right employer. However we are based in Blenheim, finding good candidates locally is almost impossible and finding someone in New Zealand that would move is also a challenge, so looking further afield is a must.

kiwitrc

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Reply # 782069 15-Mar-2013 08:49

"Will code Java for food"

You should get 5 points for having a sense of humour. Good luck!

NonprayingMantis

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Reply # 782118 15-Mar-2013 09:38

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Agencies claiming all employers insist on face to face are just full of crap IMHO.

I know quite a few people who have secured jobs in NZ (inclduing auckland) via skype/video conferencing from overseas.

However, one thing employers do quite often insist on is that you have the right to work in NZ. If you don't yet have a visa/residency then you are usually stuffed.

That makes it a catch 22 since can't get residency without a job and can't get a job without residency.
However what a friend of mine did (coming from the UK) was get a 2 year work visa at first, which is a lot easier to get than residency, and then once a job is secured, apply for residency straight away (since it takes ages).

MurrayM

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Reply # 782135 15-Mar-2013 09:51

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Agreed, don't apply for residency straight away, instead go for a two year work visa which will get you into NZ and you can then look for a job. Of course actually getting a work visa is easier if you have skills that are on the skills shortage list.

RickAvlonitis

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Reply # 782772 16-Mar-2013 20:47

Thanks, guys!
I knew that I came to right place ;)

nakedmolerat

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Reply # 782775 16-Mar-2013 21:13

I think you have great advice here. Get 2-year work visa not 1-year. You are entitled to free healthcare when you are on 2 year work visa. Once you have job, you can start the ball-rolling for residency. I believe this is the easiest way to do it.

jonb

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Reply # 782834 17-Mar-2013 07:51

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Have you lodged your EOI (Expression of Interest) or are you waiting to get 140 points first?

The skilled migrant residency visa is currently skewed to those with a job offer, above those with points under 140 but with absolute skills shortages but no job offer. Of the last few selections at least, only with a job offer have been successful:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/6B952E91-C6CD-4548-B1DD-472ED7979287/0/FactSheet20130206.pdf

If you have 135 points and 15 points in area of skills shortage, you should be selected the next time they include some applications without a job offer.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/news/smcselectioncriteria.htm

Looks like the last time they did that was in the November draw:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/1EF89E55-1B59-43E4-98E0-CAEB0602A6B2/0/FactSheet20121128.pdf

When I came over in 2007, I had 125 points and was selected quite quickly after lodging the EOI, with no job offer. I think that was with 10-15 points in an area of absolute skills shortage.

The Work Visa for the skilled migrant category seem to have the same requirement for a job offer though?

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktoresidence/caniworkinnz/ltssloccupationrequirements.htm

If you are under 35, the Silver Fern visa seems easiest to get to allow you to work. You would have to ask if applying for one of those would effect your existing application for residency?

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/silverfern/default.htm

Keep on applying directly in the meantime, there is still a skills shortage: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10871184&ref=rss

Keep on applying, I know from the article above Orion Health do a lot in Java.

Good luck.

Kyanar

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Reply # 782836 17-Mar-2013 08:07

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jonb:

Keep on applying, I know from the article above Orion Health do a lot in Java.

Good luck.

Very much this. Orion never stops hiring and they're going through some major growth - all of their core apps are Java (Concerto, Rhapsody, Soprano, etc) so seems like you'd fit in there nicely. Also, they're not stuck in the 1980's so might very well be happy to do a conference interview if you've got the skills they need.

tchart

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Reply # 782840 17-Mar-2013 08:39

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Rick,

Work visa is the way to go. When we arrived from SA back in 99 I was on the wrong end of the age range ie too young. So we were short points as well. Applied for several work visas before we were able to apply.

I think its easier to get a work visa nowadays but back then you had to prove the employer had advertised and found no one suitable. The visa was also only valid for a single employer for a single job.

Also don't forget the spousal visa if you are married. My wife got caught out with that one.

Good luck.

timmmay

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Reply # 782854 17-Mar-2013 09:18

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I hear there's work going on an awesome project called Novopay.

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Klipspringer

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Reply # 782866 17-Mar-2013 09:55

RickAvlonitis: I've applied on the immigration site and am short 5 measly points (without a job offer) to get automatic entry. With a job offer, I'll have 200 points.
Rick

Well it sounds to me that you are well over the 100 points mark already. Isn't that enough to apply for PR?

Thats enough to complete your PR application and put you into the pool. It does not guarantee residence. But they may pull your application from the pool. If you under 140points, it can take a long time for your name to be pulled up.

If you have over 140points I don't think you go into the pool. Its sort of guaranteed already. I don't think there is much difference for anybody applying that has between 140-200 points. 140 is just as good as 200.

Could be wrong. But this is how it was when we did ours just over 5 years ago.

Edit: Agreed what others have said though. Get here on a work visa. That will speed things up. Then once you in NZ you can start your PR application and claim extra points for NZ working experience. That should put you over the 200points mark.

dontpanic42

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Reply # 784709 20-Mar-2013 20:26

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Just saw this posted on Geekzone Jobs.

https://jobs.geekzone.co.nz/Jobs/View/32790

Dedicated Java Developer/ Technical lead

IT & Technology: Programming & development

The company is New Zealand owned, operating out of Auckland's CBD working in niche markets with international clients.

Location: Auckland City

Recruiter: Hays Information Technology

Date listed: 20/03/2013 7:15:35 p.m.

pctek

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Reply # 784710 20-Mar-2013 20:30

I'm seeing quite a few experienced in Java jobs lately.
For sure come on the work visa.....shouldn't be an issue getting work.

RickAvlonitis

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Reply # 784711 20-Mar-2013 20:30

Thanks, but at the bottom is a very familiar message:
"Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit."
I found a recruiter willing to work with the fact that I don't have a work visa yet. It seems that to get a work visa, one needs a job offer too. I can come on a visitors visa, but I don't want to go down that road yet.

qwertee

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Reply # 784718 20-Mar-2013 21:07

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Hi

Just be careful if you do come on a visitors visa and try to get a work visa once you get a job offer.

There have been instances where NZ immigration have refused a work visa as your intention to come to NZ was as a visitor not to seek employment.

Its a catch 22 situation, no job offer = no work visa, and no jobs if you do not have a work permit.

cheers and goodluck.

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