Hi all, so my friend has been living and working in NZ for the last two years - she came here on a student visa, and when she finished her course, decided to stay on working for another year on the working visa.
She has been working for an IT firm since September 2014, and her Visa expires on the 2/7/15. She discussed this with her work and her managers agreed to support her with her visa application for an essential skills visa - the process was started in May however they have been putting things off, and messing things about a bit. Last week they told her that they would no longer support her visa and would in fact terminate her contract as of the 2/7/15 - three weeks before her visa runs out!
She was on a fixed term contract that was dependant on her visa, and within this they are able to chose not to renew her contract. We are aware that her manager her done this previously to another international regarding the visa. We have had an appointment with an employment lawyer to get some advice and will be returning next week. She also has a partner here in NZ
She is able to extend her visa by 12 months however would not be able to work within this time.
So the situation is that she will have no job in two and half weeks, her visa expires, and she wants to stay in the country.
I just wondered if anyone had any ideas/advice or know anything about such a situaiton where someone is able to extend their visa and work or any other visa that we may have overlooked? Everything and anything would be helpful.
Thanks!