Questions about going from a 2 year working holiday to going on my husbands student visa

[Dommagracie]

Hi there.

I am a Canadian that has been living in Auckland NZ for just over a year. My husband (also Canadian) decided to come here to NZ for school. He is currently studying chiropractic and has just started his second year.

I have a 2-year working holiday visa with 1 year left on it. My husband's school is a level 7 but it is not on the skills shortage list. I am wondering if I am still able to switch over to his student visa which is valid till his last year in 2019 when my working holiday visa ends?

We have been together for 10 years and would be devastated if we had to part

Can anyone help me with these questions as immigration has super long waits over the phone and I work the times their offices are open

Thanks

[JandM]

You have obviously seen the regulations for the 'partner of a student' visa https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...t-visa-holders, which show that the answer is no, your husband's course doesn't allow him to sponsor you. It's very understandable that you don't want to leave, so you now need to think about alternatives. What work do you do? Do you have skills that would entitle you to a visa in your own right? Could you be a student yourself?

[Dommagracie]

My husband's course is 105,000 so as far as me going onto a student visa is a no. I have obtained a job as a duty manager at a bar/ restaurant. They have offered to sponsor me but I am not sure how long that lets me stay in the country. Do you know if I could go onto a skilled migrant or start the process for residency?

[JandM]

If you meet the requirements for qualifications and/or experience, café or restaurant manager is a skilled job http://skillshortages.immigration.go...aurant-manager which could allow you to put in for residence under SMC. Your job responsibilities would have to match up with the ANZSCO description. And you would have to meet the points requirement, in order to put in your EOI. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...-resident-visa See Check Criteria near the bottom of the page.

If you can meet the points threshold with your qualifications, and get your ITA (invitation to apply), you could also (using a lot of the same evidence) get an Essential Skills visa https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...ills-work-visa, without your employer needing to do the labour market test, because of WK2.5.15. http://onlineservices.immigration.go...nual/45676.htm