Good morning,
This forum was very helpful to me when I was first thinking of moving out to New Zealand. I'm now here, based in Wellington and have secured a temporary job. There is potential for the job to turn into a permanent job offer. I'd very much like to apply for SMC visa, as I will have 170 points with this job offer to. My questions are as follows, and I did look on the immigration website first, which is useful, but sometimes the wording can be confusing!
A) am I right in assuming I cannot technically accept a permanent job offer whilst on the WH? Ie I would have to only officially accept when I have secured my SMC visa (which I understand can take up to 6 months?). I should be okay as I started work with the company in March, so I shouldn't breach WHV conditions by working over 12 months before I secure the SMC visa. That is, assuming it isn't terribly delayed.
B) why is there such a large difference between the stay requirement of a job in Auckland, compared to outside of Auckland? I.e. Because my job is in Wellington, I would have to commit to 12 months in that job on the SMC visa, compared to 3 months in Auckland? Just seems rather strange.
Which leads me on to question 3): it says "if you were awarded points for your current skilled employment outside of Auckland, and you've been working in that job for less than 3 months, you must stay in that job for 12 months". So, what if I've been in the job 4, 5, 6 months before I apply for SMC? Does that mean that condition doesn't apply for me, and as soon as the SMC visa is issued, I am no longer tied to a company?
4) if my partner, who is an excavator driver, wants to come on my resident visa, is that okay? There is an option to apply for the visa with a partner, which ideally Id like to do, but I can't find anywhere any limits or requirements on applying with a partner. Would it limit my chances of getting an SMC visa if I apply with a partner, or does it not work like that. He is in full time employment through an agency, but wouldn't have anywhere near enough points to do a separate SMC visa. I can't find much info on the immigration website in this!