Hi all,
This forum has given me lots of really great information in different areas; thanks to everyone! However, as is always the case, the specifics of one's own query often don't QUITE get answered, so I'm going to lay it all out here and hope that someone can help or advise. :-)
Myself and my fiancee (will be my wife by the time comes) are looking to emigrate to New Zealand sometime next year (probably around September). She works in the the theatre world, and I'm in IT. In an ideal world, I suppose that the plan would be for me to get a job offer and be able to apply for a skilled migrant visa (as these skills are supposedly in short supply). However, the research and such I have done so far (and I've been in touch with a number of recruitment agencies) seems to suggest that unless the skills you possess are REALLY specific, most employers don't seem to like hiring...not non-Kiwi's, but people who aren't already in the country. So, it would seem that it's going to be hard to get a job offer before coming over. Obviously, when I start properly applying for jobs en masse next year (perhaps May onwards), I WILL get an offer, then hurray! For the purposes of this post, though, let's assume that I don't/won't get one.
So, I've got the following questions that I hope people can answer:
- People working in IT - do you agree with the above? What was your experience of getting work before moving over? etc, etc
- My backup plan has always been, if I don't get work in advance, to just come over on a visitor visa, and look for work (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-...look-for-a-job - this says it's OK!) Having spoken to people on the phone at INZ, however, they say things varying from 'No, it's not OK', to 'You can arrive on a visa waiver and declare business as the purpose of your trip at immigration' to '(same answer) but Immigration then might not let you into the country'.
I'm sure that there are lots of people who have simply moved over, got a job, then applied for a work/residence visa etc. What are people's thoughts on this/what is the best option for me/us if we don't get work beforehand?
Thanks to all!
J