Essential skills visa

[rokey1974]

Hi Guys,

I've been offered a job with a tentative start date of 4th December, so thought that an essential skills visa, rather than skilled migrant visa, would be the way forward due to the processing time of the latter. Am I right in thinking this?
Also, with the essential skills visa do I need a medical before I apply? (I'm from the uk) or is the medical part of the application process? by that I mean do you apply and then get the medical done at a certain stage?
Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[JandM]

You're right that an application under SMC would not have a hope of getting processed that soon. Most people in your situation apply for residence as well as the Essential Skills visa, however, if not at the same time then quite shortly thereafter, because having residence is a more secure situation, and a lot of the evidence can do for both applications. If you think of doing this, it's a good idea to get certified copies of evidence that you are sending to INZ, and keep copies yourself, because it makes life easier for the INZ CO processing the second application to be able to see papers on their desk rather than have to try to link up with the other case, which will probably be being worked in a different office.

Have a look at this fact sheet. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...-visa#criteria Click on SHOW ALL EVIDENCE, part way down on the right, and you'll see everything that you need in order to make an application.

[rokey1974]

Hi JandM,

Thanks for the prompt reply and all the helpful info, i'll get on the case after work!

[rokey1974]

Hi Jandm,
By applying for residence at roughly the same time did you mean a skilled migrant visa?

[JandM]

This. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...-resident-visa (There's actually no such thing as a skilled migrant visa - you get residence if you're successful when applying under SMC.)

[rokey1974]

Oh I see! Thanks Jandm!