Hey,

My girlfriend and I are about to get an essential skill work visa as a laundry worker in a really small place, in the middle of nowhere :-). This job is not on the skill shortage list (or any list), but my employer can't find any New Zealander willing to take it (too far from bigger places). Is there a chance for us to be able to apply for residency after a couple of years, or will we have to stay here under Essential skill work visa (and renew every year)?
In this last option, it means we can't have a "real" life here, knowing that every time we apply, the application might be refused, so we can't buy a house, have a kid, ...

I spend night looking on google an answer, but form what I found, I am 80% sure Essential skill work visa will be our only option....forever. But I still want to make sure in case I miss something :-)

Thanks guys for reading and taking time to reply.