Couple of q's regarding working in NZ

[jirax]

Hi all,

Thanks for viewing my thread.

I'm actually seeking for some advice. Hope you guys (and ladies) can help me out.

Currently there is a company in NZ that is interested in hiring me. (salary approx. 120K annually)
Makes we think about the following:

1. Which visa should I apply for? (SMC vs. WTR) I recently did the EOI test and got a score of 250 points.

2. If I'm not mistaken, a employer with a WTR visa is consider a temporarily worker, so wouldn't granted public services and funding, is this true?

3. Is there a big difference tax-wise between someone with a SMC vs. someone with a WTR?

4. My family consist of 4 person. Me, my wife and 2 kids. (5 years and 8 months) I don't consider us as having a extreme lifestyle. We occasionally (once a month) go out for diner), in the weekend we usually visit places, parks etc., 4 bedroom house/apartment. My wife doesn't work. Would 120K be enough to live a comfortable life in NZ? (assuming we're not a PR yet)

5. I also assume that schooling fee is different for non-PR?

Cheers, Jirax

[Otaku]

1. With SMC, you will get Residency right away. If you can supply Job Offer at the time of application it will speed-up your process, as well as give extra points for EOI. If you choose WTR, Job Offer is mandatory, it is much faster and at the end of 24 months (provided you are still working with an Accredited Employer and salary is 90k+) you can get PR *Indefinite Residency). So the timeline for PR in bot cases is same, but with WTR you will have to be with an Accredited employer for at least 24 months (more conditions).

2. WTR Visa of 2 years or more is eligible for Public Services.

3. No, taxes are same for both Visa-holders. But on WTR you might not be eligible for Kiwisaver (pension fund).

4. I think 120k is good salary for a place like Auckland or Wellington. For rest of NZ, it is even better!

5. No. Schooling is free for Resident-class Visa holders (this includes WTR holders too).

[kukkie]

1. With SMC, you will get Residency right away. If you can supply Job Offer at the time of application it will speed-up your process, as well as give extra points for EOI. If you choose WTR, Job Offer is mandatory, it is much faster and at the end of 24 months (provided you are still working with an Accredited Employer and salary is 90k+) you can get PR *Indefinite Residency). So the timeline for PR in bot cases is same, but with WTR you will have to be with an Accredited employer for at least 24 months (more conditions).

2. WTR Visa of 2 years or more is eligible for Public Services.

3. No, taxes are same for both Visa-holders. But on WTR you might not be eligible for Kiwisaver (pension fund).

4. I think 120k is good salary for a place like Auckland or Wellington. For rest of NZ, it is even better!

5. No. Schooling is free for Resident-class Visa holders (this includes WTR holders too).

What if salary is less than $90k, if a person is still working with an accredited employer. Will he get PR after 2 years provided salary is lesser than 90k?

This is what I got from INZ site: This does not mention base salary of $90k-

Requirements for different Residence from Work categories
In addition to meeting the generic requirements, you must meet the requirements for the Residence from Work category you are applying under. Which category you apply under depends on the category that your visa was granted under.
I hold a Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Category visa
If you were granted a temporary work visa to allow you to work for an accredited employer in New Zealand, you can apply for a residence class visa under Talent (Accredited Employers) Residence Category.

To be approved for residence you must:
have held a work visa granted under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Category for at least 24 months
have been employed in New Zealand during the currency of that visa for a period of 24 months by an accredited employer (or another employer if you were granted a Variation of Conditions to your work visa by Immigration New Zealand)
have current employment in New Zealand with a base salary of at least NZ$45,000 per year, at least NZ$50,000 per year if your work visa application under this category was made on or after 30 July 2007 but before 28 July 2008, or at least NZ$55,000 per year if your work visa application under this categorywas made on or after 28 July 2008
hold full or provisional registration, if full or provisional registration is required to practise in your occupation in New Zealand.

[swearwolves]

1. With SMC, you will get Residency right away. If you can supply Job Offer at the time of application it will speed-up your process, as well as give extra points for EOI. If you choose WTR, Job Offer is mandatory, it is much faster and at the end of 24 months (provided you are still working with an Accredited Employer and salary is 90k+) you can get PR *Indefinite Residency). So the timeline for PR in bot cases is same, but with WTR you will have to be with an Accredited employer for at least 24 months (more conditions).

2. WTR Visa of 2 years or more is eligible for Public Services.

3. No, taxes are same for both Visa-holders. But on WTR you might not be eligible for Kiwisaver (pension fund).

4. I think 120k is good salary for a place like Auckland or Wellington. For rest of NZ, it is even better!

5. No. Schooling is free for Resident-class Visa holders (this includes WTR holders too).

I am confused. Which one's faster?

[Otaku]

What if salary is less than $90k, if a person is still working with an accredited employer. Will he get PR after 2 years provided salary is lesser than 90k?

This is what I got from INZ site: This does not mention base salary of $90k-

Requirements for different Residence from Work categories
In addition to meeting the generic requirements, you must meet the requirements for the Residence from Work category you are applying under. Which category you apply under depends on the category that your visa was granted under.
I hold a Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Category visa
If you were granted a temporary work visa to allow you to work for an accredited employer in New Zealand, you can apply for a residence class visa under Talent (Accredited Employers) Residence Category.

To be approved for residence you must:
have held a work visa granted under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Category for at least 24 months
have been employed in New Zealand during the currency of that visa for a period of 24 months by an accredited employer (or another employer if you were granted a Variation of Conditions to your work visa by Immigration New Zealand)
have current employment in New Zealand with a base salary of at least NZ$45,000 per year, at least NZ$50,000 per year if your work visa application under this category was made on or after 30 July 2007 but before 28 July 2008, or at least NZ$55,000 per year if your work visa application under this categorywas made on or after 28 July 2008
hold full or provisional registration, if full or provisional registration is required to practise in your occupation in New Zealand.

Here - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra.../residence.htm . Applicable only for WTR (Accredited Employer) Visa.

[Otaku]

I am confused. Which one's faster?

Faster for what? For getting Visa, WTR is faster, as it has less checks compared to SMC. INZ also looks at joining date in Offer Letter, and assigns priority. For Residency, SMC route is preferred. You can go for WTR, if you have salary of 90k or above, as you would be eligible for PR at the end of 24 months. Relevant link - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra.../residence.htm

[swearwolves]

I'd strongly recommend going with the SMC route as that one has less employer-related restrictions when compared to WTR. With WTR, you always have a dangling sword over your head (you lose your job/employer is mean/work environment is harsh etc.) for the first 24 months.

[kukkie]

I'd strongly recommend going with the SMC route as that one has less employer-related restrictions when compared to WTR. With WTR, you always have a dangling sword over your head (you lose your job/employer is mean/work environment is harsh etc.) for the first 24 months.

What if salary is less than $90k, if a person is still working with an accredited employer. Will he get PR after 2 years provided salary is lesser than 90k?

[swearwolves]

What if salary is less than $90k, if a person is still working with an accredited employer. Will he get PR after 2 years provided salary is lesser than 90k?

No.

[kukkie]

so what is the next step to attain PR?