Visa Officer Phone Interview

[captainash]

I've just received this email

All applicants who do not have an offer of skilled employment in NZ are required to be interviewed to assess their ability to settle and contribute. The interview is informal and can be by telephone, and takes approx 20 minutes.

... and now i'm all nervous. What kind of questions do they ask? Will I need to brush up on some facts n' stats?

[scratches head] 4m people in NZ, 1m in Auckland, Helen Clark (Labour) since 1999 etc?

Or will they just ask what my general plans are?

[Potato]

If you do a search, there's a thread with a list of questions. IIRC, they're along the lines of "how will you make friends?", "what are your plans once you get here?" etc

[lizzyplop]

Hi
Save you doing a search, hope this helps
Liz

Why NZ?
What would you do as soon as you arrive in NZ?
What is your plan?
Do you have any relatives/friends?
What kind of media did you use for research about NZ?
What will you do if you don't get a job as quickly as you would have hoped
What have you done to look for employment so far?
What support will you have in NZ?
What would you do if you came across any obstacles? (List possible obstacles)
What do you think about the impact of migrants on the socio-economic balance of New Zealand and the wider South West Pacific basin?
How much money did we think we needed to make a good living in NZ
How long did we think it would take to find work?
Mainly how do you plan to make friends ?
How do you intend to find work ?
What will your Partner do for a living?
What if you do not find work in the area that you have chosen to live?
How will you support yourselves ?
Where will you live?
When do you want to go?
What have you heard about NZ ?
Has anyone given you any advice about moving to NZ ?
Have you looked at schools ?
What are your hobbies?
Do you have any questions ?
Have you visited NZ?
What is your financial situation?
Have you looked at properties?
What wages to you expect?
What do plan, if you do not find the right job in your industry?
How much do you expect to pay for your flat/house?
How will you build up your social networks and get new friends?

[Spooky]

Did the interview take place long-distance, or did you speak with an officer from your local NZ High Com? I wonder who calls whom (and who pays for the call, hehe).

Where I am, we have an NZ High Com office. Can I assume the case officer will be from there and that my document submission and verification is done with the High Com as well?

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Call is made from local NZIS office to you (they pay the bill!)

It's quite an informal affair, nothing to be nervous about. I found that quoting use of this forum very helpful in answering questions as it meant I could say I'd related assumptions and research to comments from people that had done it (whatever it was they were asking about - house prices, schools etc) for real.

[captainash]

I'm booked in for 10am Monday ... I'll let you know how I get on

[lizzyplop]

Good luck, keep us posted
Liz

[M-Squared]

Good luck! And sound as natural as possible!

[Mels]

Good luck

Mels

[3littlepikes]

good luck - I like telephone interviews as you can move around freely - moving arms to make a point , writing notes etc - did not need one for immigration as yet ( skilled offer of employment ) but my interview for job over the phone was the easiest I had done , and I have not done one for some time so I was really nervous .