Originally Posted by
xunigel
BTW, I do not think someone would remain in NZ for NINE months if they have nothing to do. So NZD4200 is not a problem. This visa is designed for someone to look for a job in NZ, it should not set too high threshold on the applicant's personal finance. $4200 may not support some for a period of nine months, but for others, it could be working well.
Sorry, but I think it
is a problem. If it takes someone 8-9 months to find a job, given the current cost of living here, I don't think that they will be able to survive in a metropolitan area on only $4,200 NZD – unless they've got someplace to live for free, or will be getting their food, utilities, and transportation for free.
If they're looking for a job in a more rural area, they
might be able to manage. However, that pretty much rules out anyone looking for an IT position.
Originally Posted by
bluesky
But what's the risk to NZ? I assume you can't claim any sort of benefit while on this visa, so if you run out of money before the times up or you find a job, you'll just be going home anyway.
The risk to NZ is that they've wasted one of the precious 300 Silver Fern Visas on someone who doesn't get a job and ends up going home – and someone else who might have succeeded doesn't get the chance.
Pretty much everyone on here can tell you that immigrating to New Zealand is a
hugely expensive proposition, by the time you've paid all the application, evaluation, certification, and visa fees, bought a round-trip plane ticket, either paid to ship your belongings here or purchased replacements for them once you get to NZ, and paid deposits for your rental and utilities (which can run from $500-$1500). If you get a visa rather than residency, you can plan on paying for your own health care (and huge school fees, if you have any children).
If you don't already have at least $10,000 NZD in the bank – or a job offer – you need to start saving
now. Because once you're here, you won't be bringing in any money until you get a job – and in the current market, that could take months or even years (just ask some of the people who are already here).
It's too bad that things are that way right now, and I sympathise with the people who really want to come to NZ but don't have any money saved. But it's better to have a realistic idea of what it involves and make decisions based on that – and delay your plans by a couple of years whilst you save, if necessary – than to give up your current job and come here, only to be unable to find a job and end up having to give up on NZ and go back to your home country.