Question about online application

[Cross]

Hi, I've been reading some of the posts in here, and trying to learn as much as I can about the immigration process, etc. I'm wondering if the IELTS is required to do the online application, I've an IELTS that I did 3 years ago, obviously I cannot use that, but I'm wondering if I need to do the test before applying or they will ask for it as soon as I received the invitation to apply (ITA), I'm asking this because I don't want to take the test and then wait for 2 years for the ITA, because I will need to do the test again.

By the way, I'm a software developer with 10+ of experience, how much time should I expect to receive the ITA after applying? they have the overall processing times, but I think those times starting counting once the system took an application from the pool, but I don't know how much time should I expect to be on the pool before getting the invitation.

Thanks for your help,

Cross.

[Hanna MW]

Hi Cross!
I could imagine that processing times vary, depending as to where the office is. Thats the feeling I got anyway, reading through various threads here on the forum.

You propaby have red all that already but just in case, here is a link that seems to answer many questions

http://www.dol.govt.nz/immigration/k...ontoapply(ita)

I was in a similar position, trying to push my IELTS test day as far back as possible as I needed it to be valid for as long a possible.
Why don't you check for dates for the test in your local test center and get information about conditions of canceling the test. What I mean is, you could book one and cancel it in time in case it's not needed yet. Immigration doesn't seem to be picky as to which test you have to take ie. Academic or General level. That even gives you a bigger choice of test dates

http://www.dol.govt.nz/immigration/k...base/item/1008

Good luck! I know how frustrating it is to wait for paperwork and get everything in time to eventually get moving...

Hanna

[Cross]

thanks Hanna for your amazingly fast answer, I already filled the online application, but I'm getting 0 points on the English section, I'm wondering if it's caused because the IELTS test is overdue, I changed the date to check if the system will grant me some points but I had no luck with it, here's the list of points I'm getting (just the first section):

Identity	25	Yes
Character	0	Yes
Health	0	Yes
English Language Ability	0	Yes
Skilled Employment	0	Yes
Recognised Qualifications	60	Yes
Recognised Work Experience	45	Yes
Children	0	Yes
Other Family	0	Yes
Declaration for Person Assisting Applicant	0	Yes

As you will noticed the English Language Ability points granted are 0, without them I'll get 130 points, and with them I should pass the 140 barrier to be selected automatically by the system (my previous score was 7.5 overall, and I'm confident that I will get something similar in the next try), this will mean that the ITA will take 1 or 2 weeks top. Without these points... only God knows.

Thanks for your help,

Cross

[mikeandcaroline]

Hi.

English Language ability is a pre-requisite - you don't get any points for it.

Presuming you are applying under the skilled migrant category

To be eligible for residence under SMC you must:

be 55 or under
be healthy
be of good character
speak English.

To decide if you can apply we use a points system. You get points for age, experience, employability and qualifications. (my colouring and italics)

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...nt/default.htm

[Cross]

:O very true... off course, it's a requisite to start the EOI (feeling dumb right now ), then I will get only 130 points... I was looking into the historic data: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...on.htm?level=1 and seems that 2 months have passed and no one from 100 - 135 band have been selected, according to rules if you're not selected within the 6 months your application will be returned, is that common?

Now I'm wondering if I should apply or I'm doomed from the beginning. (more research I think)

Thanks for your answers.

[Hanna MW]

It does state though, that you need to provide an IELTS result not older than 2 years for the Skilled Migrant Category.
Whether or not you get points for it I don't know

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...apply/english/

[Cross]

Hi Hanna, as mikeandcaroline remind me, it's imperative to do the test to start the process, this means that we wont get any point for that, because simply put, no one can apply without the proper English skills probe.

[Hanna MW]

Is your profession on the LTSSL or ISSL? Would it be an option for you to look for a job, get an offer and be able to work on a regular work visa for 12-24 months? You could apply for residency after that.

That is the way we are going but my skill is on the LTSSL and the whole process seems to be pretty straight forward.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...ls.htm?level=1

(I love my links )

Hanna

[Cross]

Hi Hanna, thanks for sharing the link, I checked and I'm in the LTSSL (Developer Programmer (261312), Software Engineer (261313)), reading the link you provided this means that I will be able to "look" for job in there, because they're short on those occupations, how much time will be required to get the working visa? I'm worried that an employer will not be willing to hire someone that could be landing in NZ in 6 months. If I'm in LTSSL this could mean that the automatic selection will apply to ones that are on the list? or the automatic selection from the pool is based on the point system?

[Hanna MW]

Hi Cross
I am not a specialist in all of that but I can tell you what I did so far.

Very interested in working in New Zealand as I craved a change of scenery in working and living environment I looked into different entry options and first came accross the Skilled Migrant Stream which I gather is what you were aiming for. It is based on a point system, as you know, is great for highly qualified people wanting to work in New Zealand without committing to a certain job. You increase your chance by far to be invited to submit an Expression of Interests if you are already in the country or even already working in New Zealand.

However, if your profession is on one of the skill shortage lists, and you have an offer of employment you only have to apply for a working visa, which should be granted for the length of offer of employment, but for max. 3 or 5 years.... I am not quite sure now, have a read through the link:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...rktemporarily/

After you have resided in New Zealand for 24 months it is my understanding, that you can apply for residency, also called work to residency. So it would be a different way of getting there but you'd get there in the end.

To apply for a work visa I had to fist get professional registration. Being a midwife I registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. That took me 6 months but the delay was mainly my fault.

After I was registered I started looking for a job through a recruitment agency called Accent Health Recruitment. Itt took all of 2 days until Timaru Health Board expressed an interest to getting to know me. Arranging a job interview over Skype took another 4 weeks I think but to be fair, that was around Christmas, so the whole country slowed down.

The next thing I needed was the job offer in writing, specifying certain things like when I commence working, how many hours a week I will be working and my basic pay. 2 more weeks until I had that in my in box.

I feel once you have the job offer and all paper work needed (all explained in the forms and application guides) you could get a work visa pretty swiftly. Statistics on the website of New Zealand immigration show that about 95% of applications are being processed within 25 days. That sounds fast to me.

I think if you find an employer who wants you, they will be well aware that you move countries, if not continents and wont expect yo to start next week. They will understand that arranging visas, selling house/finding place to stay, shipping things takes time.

Over all I need to send in the following:

Offer of employment (from future employer)
Employer Supplementary Form filled in by future employer (INZ 113)
Work Visa Application (INZ 1015)
General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) - depending as to where you lived and whether you are applying for a working visa for 12 months or less
Chest-X-ray Cerificate (INZ 1096) - depending as to where you lived and whether you are applying for a working visa for 12 months or less
Form for Partners Supporting Partnership (INZ 1146) in case you are taking your partner with you

I am not sure if the mare fact that your profession is on the LTSSL would speed up the process of your Skilled Migrant path.

Could I help in any way?

Hanna