NZ Skilled Migrant Visa

[Andh]

Hey there

I am a SWISS citizen, trying to get a skiled migrant Visa for NZ. I have a few questions, and if anyone has experience with the following points , i would be very glad to get some hints and tips.

- I am still in CH, going to NZ in September. Applying now, and maybe not having an answer until September when i am already there as a tourist, is that a problem ? Do they invite you to Wellington for application anyway (if they do invite me at all) ?

- I have 120 points, being a Psychologist with MSc Degree, how big are chances to get a Visa ?

- As Psychololgist, I need a registration in NZ, does anybody have experience with this ? What are the contacts and do I need to have the registration already with sending the EOI ?

Thanks already in advance !

[JandM]

You need to look here http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz...n-information2 for the information about registration to practise in NZ.

You have to have registration to count as being on the Long Term Skills Shortage list.

At the moment, selections of EOIs very rarely go down to 120. However, are you sure you are only entitled to 120 points? If you would like to share what you think you have points for, people may be able to point out more that you could claim.

There is no way you would have a decision on an application for Residence by September - if you look at the INZ office's "processing times" page (whichever branch you will need to apply to), you will see their latest estimates on how timings are going. In any case, in order to put in an application, you would need first to complete the registration as a psychologist, so it's unlikely all the paperwork will be done before September anyway.

There is no invitation to Wellington involved in processing an application. If it comes to the stage of the Case Officer needing to interview you, this is done either over the phone, or a webcam link, or at an office near you, depending on what the CO decides.

I'm adding some links to old threads which include explanations of different aspects of the application process, which may help you to see what you're starting out on.
The selection process. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread....ht=#post440482
What happens after an EOI is selected. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=38304
Waiting to be assigned a Case Officer. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread....979#post455979

[Andh]

Hi Janda

Thanks a lot for your answer. Helps already a lot.
I am not a clinical Psychologist though, having an MSc Degree in clinical Psychology, but was working in the Human Resources Field / Recruiting. And would be looking at this type of work in NZ.
I do not have any clinical experience. Do you know if the application for this type of Visa (Skilled Migrant Visa) is still ok or shold I try another one ? Is a registration still necessary ?

Thank you again a lot for the answer !

Andh

[JandM]

Almost all grants of visas for NZ involve working, or making yourself available to work, in a job that you have qualifications for.

You would qualify to apply under the Skilled Migrant Category if the work you do/have done will match up with the description(s) under 223111 Human Resource Adviser or 132311 Human Resource Manager - they're in the list of Skilled Occupations in the INZ operational manual. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/35165.htm Ignore the parts about immigration regulations and lists on this next site, because those are for Australia, but the description is what matters (and those are shared for NZ and Australia). https://www.acacia-au.com/anzsco/223111.php https://www.acacia-au.com/anzsco/132311.php

If either of those job descriptions sound like yours, you can apply under SMC. In that case, no, you would not have to register with the psychologists' board.

Alternatively, if you got a job offer in NZ, you could apply for a work visa http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...rktemporarily/ (which would be processed more quickly than residence, and enable you to start working sooner), and apply under SMC as well, which would take its own time. With a job or job offer in NZ, you only need 100 points for your EOI to be selected.

[Andh]

That sounds already very good. Thank you for this useful hint.

A last thing : If I come to NZ as a Tourist in September, looking for a job right there. Is it possible that I find a job offer without having a Visa beforehand ? I mean, are there companies being interested in offering me a job without me having already the allowence to work ?

THX again !

[JandM]

Yes, you can look for work while on a visitor visa (though you MUST NOT start work till you have a visa allowing that). You can also make contact with companies from outside the country - that is, do some research on the internet in advance, and tell possible employers and agents that you will be in the country and hoping to meet them after (whatever) date. Many people from the forum have found this worked for them, better than simply applying from abroad.

It isn't an easy situation. But nobody gets through it without being determined and really pushing for what they want. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread....952#post359952

[Andh]

Hey thank you again ! Will try as hard as possible !

[JandM]

As Switzerland is a visa-waiver country for visitors, it may be helpful to you to look at post #15, here. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41301&page=2

[Andh]

important , thank you.

So, entering NZ as a Tourist / Visitor, you would at the airport tell them the intention was travelling around or visiting somebody, right ?
As my Boyfriend is a Kiwi and as I will be living with him, is there any chance this gets more points in the EOI, can I state that somewhere in the application ?

Thanks again !

[JandM]

Your boyfriend is a Kiwi and you will be living with him. This could be worth rather more than some points!

Have you looked at the idea of the partner-sponsored work visa option, when once you have collected some evidence of living together? http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...milystream.htm This visa is an open visa, meaning that you could take any job offered - it doesn't have to be a skilled one - and/but you would be presenting yourself to employers as a person with NO visa formalities to wait for, which can be an advantage. Also, once you have 12 months' evidence of living together, you would be eligible for partner-sponsored Residence, which is just the same as Residence gained through SMC, giving you the same full rights, but without the hassle of counting points, finding a job offer, etc.. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...er/default.htm