Relative experience - applying for Skilled Migrant Visa

[simonUKNZ]

Hi guys,

New to the forum and as stated in the introductions will hopefully be submitting an EOI (leading to skilled migrant residency) by early next year. However ive still got quite a few questions before proceeding. At one point was considering an immigration lawyer until they dropped the $4000 bomb quote of fees alone on me. The problem ive been having is finding information on the internet about people emigrating with experience in the hospitality industry.

I am currently employed as bar manager at a restaurant in town renowned for its high quality in food and service. Ive been working there over a year already and was offered sponsorship which was approved as a work visa in May and valid for one year. My work experience extends over 7 years across the UK, Australia and NZ, with the majority being in Award winning places with very high standards. However, because ive spent the last 4 years travelling, the only management experience i have is just over 2 years back in the UK and 1 year here in NZ. I also just recently completed an LCQ certificate (Level 4 NZQA).

So my first question is would my additional experience (non management) be counted as relevant experience even if it was cocktail bartending or waiting on to meet the 5 year work experience requirement? Also would the recent qualification count towards the total, reducing the amount of experience needed?

I know i can meet the minimum 100points to submit an EOI but im wondering if they will discount my experience in the industry, even though it was all valuable.


Thanks for any help and replies in advance!


Also anyone who is also working in the hospitality industry i would really like to hear your story when its comes to applying for visas (we seem to be a rare breed!)

[ChrisMwn]

firstly would you be lodging your EOI with or without a job offer? You will only get selected on 100 points if that includes a skilled job offer. Then assuming that job offer might be as a restaurant manager , and in the absence of a qualification you would only need 3 years of "relevant work experience" Not all of that experience need be as a manager, but should presumably be either in the hospitality industry, or management , or both or a combination.
The greater difficulty that you will face is convincing INZ that your job is in fact a substantsial match to that of restaurant managers as per ANZSCO

(see http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@....urant+Managers)

I'd say its unlikely your current role as Bar Manager will not get you through, unless you are the only person employed in a management capacity in the business. Hospitality manager cases are really difficult to get through. Have a look at the many (unsuccessful) appeal decisions at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/IPT/Residence/

I'd say that the $400o fee quoted by an Adviser is not unreasonable in such a case. You'd want to be sure that he/she knew what they were doing and has specific experience in handling hospitality cases.

[ChrisMwn]

sorry cant seem to edit post...typo here "I'd say its unlikely your current role as Bar Manager will not get you through,"
mean to say "unlikely your current role as Bar manager would get you thorough. PM me if you like when you can (5 posts)

[simonUKNZ]

firstly would you be lodging your EOI with or without a job offer?

It would be with permanent job offer meeting all conditions (30hrs p/w, competitive wage etc.)

The greater difficulty that you will face is convincing INZ that your job is in fact a substantsial match to that of restaurant managers as per ANZSCO

(see http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@....urant+Managers)

Ive read through this before and realise i actually meet all those requirements, especially when applying a lot of the context to drinks. For example i consult the chefs regularly for fresh ingredients, and more so when sourcing seasonal ingredients such as herbs and fruits for consistently updated cocktail menus. Stock control, maintinence, gross profit and monthly targets are another thing im used to - which is quite ironic because most restaurant managers ive worked with have never had stock to control, or think about gp, only wage budgets to adhere to and stationary to order (i guess you could call that stock?)


I also believe this is where the industry differs, whereas everything is so flexible and inconsistent (such as hours, positions) its not an unusual occurrence to find yourself managing the whole premises by yourself, therefore including restaurant and bar, to cut down on additional management wages.

Also i noticed this on the ANZSCO site "Organises and controls the operations of a cafe, restaurant or related establishment to provide dining and catering services." Not sure if it would make any difference though as the establishment i work is primarily a restaurant, but as most restaurants do, it caters for patrons with an onsite bar.

I'd say that the $400o fee quoted by an Adviser is not unreasonable in such a case. You'd want to be sure that he/she knew what they were doing and has specific experience in handling hospitality cases.

Yes i was expecting this kind of cost when i first contacted the lawyer, and i did ask what her experience was but she could only recollect 1 bar manager and 'a few' restaurant managers. All were successful, but id say the numbers didnt really fill me with confidence, enough to equate $4000 anyhow. I am still searching to see if anyone specialises in this field.



I would like to add, i submitted a work visa application myself in May, lodging for same employer, with all information ive already given you plus, which was approved. Is it naive of me to think i could lodge a EOI and SM visa after being successful with the work visa? Are they two worlds apart? I understand there is even more hard work and stress involved but i dont want to undertake it if i have no chance of success from the offset!

[ChrisMwn]

so who else has management responsibilities at the establishment? who do you report to? what staff report to you? do you hire and fire?

yes there can be a world of difference between WV and SMC residence.

[simonUKNZ]

There is a general manager and owners above me. Both of whom i report to. When it comes to hiring and firing i have only input and suggestions to offer (usually after a trial with the applicant looking to be hired) so the information i pass on is key.

I curious as to why you asked about the hiring and firing as this is more the role of a general manager and is not mentioned in the ANZSCO list either?

[ChrisMwn]

well , as you point out, that's where the industry and employer view of what a manager does can differ from ANZSCO and what INZ interpret and IPT rule. Happy that you PM me.

[JandM]

ChrisMwn, the editing function only stays active for a short while after each post is made, so people can correct a typo or other error they notice the moment they've hit 'post', but doesn't allow for later changes which could make a nonsense of other people's subsequent comments. (If you notice something important when your edit time has run out, you're welcome to PM me or any mod you see is online with details of what you want changed, and we can do it for you.)