Change a job on Work Visa NZ

[lisa29]

Hello,

I would be happy if you will help me to sort things out if someone is aware on such situation.

If I hold Essential skills 2 years work visa and I have been working only 3 months with current employer - Can I change a job with Variations Conditions or apply for New work visa? What should I do while I will be searching for a new job during 1-2 months if I would leave current employer? Should I apply for visitor visa on this period or I don't need it? Do I need to pass once again any medical tests/police certificate etc?

If anyone was in such situation please share your experinece,

Thank you very much!

[Kim39]

You can change employer on variation but not job, as it has to be the same as you were accepted for to begin with. If you leave the employer i am led to believe you can stay on current visa, but please don't quote whilst seeking the same job...hope this helps

[JandM]

Be VERY careful.

Your right to live and work in NZ entirely depends at the moment on working for THIS employer, the one named on your visa.

The following links tell you the official position.
http://www.dol.govt.nz/immigration/k...base/item/1187
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...anotherjob.htm
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...haschanged.htm

If you just LEAVE your present job, when it comes right down to it, you become a law breaker, because you are in NZ without a valid visa. You could find that INZ tell you to leave the country at any time, although in practice, they allow a bit of time for such a person to try to sort out their situation. (It doesn't say anywhere publicly exactly how long it will be.)

It would be much safer, and keep you within the law, to try to look around for another job while still doing this one.