Skilled work experience and LIA

[hopefulkiwi]

My husband will complete 10 years of experience this September and we were planning to apply for NZ SMC then. However, we have a situation similar to the poster at https://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54743.

In Jan 2009, my husband began working for a US based client through Tata Consultancy Services. He later came to the US to continue working on the same project in May 2013 and has been here since, working for different clients. Will the experience from Jan 2009 to May 2013 be considered for skilled work experience points? Trying to keep the post short; I can provide more details if required.

Would we have a better chance of success if we consult an LIA? What should I look for in an LIA? Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

[JandM]

See SM7.15 a and b, and SM 7.15.1 b, here. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#66800.htm

Looking at their website, it seems that Tata Consultancy Services is not a multi-national company whose head office is domiciled in one of the countries mentioned, so, if he was paid by Tata, not the US client, SM7.15 a or b would have to apply.

[hopefulkiwi]

See SM7.15 a and b, and SM 7.15.1 b, here. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#66800.htm

Looking at their website, it seems that Tata Consultancy Services is not a multi-national company whose head office is domiciled in one of the countries mentioned, so, if he was paid by Tata, not the US client, SM7.15 a or b would have to apply.

Thanks JandM. Per SM7.15a work experience should count if it is in an area of absolute skills shortage specified by SM7.30. I’m having trouble understanding SM7.30 (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#66803.htm). Does the experience have to be gained in a comparable labour market since it says “Work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage which meets the requirements set out at SM7.1 to SM7.20”? That doesn’t seem to make sense since it’s the exception to the comparable labour market rule.

Also, LTSSL has a work experience requirement of 3 years for his occupation. So once he completes 10 years of total experience, he should qualify for 7 years of experience in an area of absolute skills shortage. Am I right?

[JandM]

I see what you mean. I'm wondering if that was intended to say instead, "the requirements set out at SM7.1 AND SM7.20," but that's just my brain working on the sense, not anything official. I suggest that when you have made five posts in total on any thread(s), so your PMing privileges are automatically switched on, you should message ChrisMwn and/or EGoodhue, who are LIAs who belong to the forum, and who often kindly clear up matters of interpretation like this.

[hopefulkiwi]

I see what you mean. I'm wondering if that was intended to say instead, "the requirements set out at SM7.1 AND SM7.20," but that's just my brain working on the sense, not anything official. I suggest that when you have made five posts in total on any thread(s), so your PMing privileges are automatically switched on, you should message ChrisMwn and/or EGoodhue, who are LIAs who belong to the forum, and who often kindly clear up matters of interpretation like this.

Thank you so much! Could you recommend any LIAs to represent us in an official capacity? Should I approach ChrisMwn/EGoodhue for that as well? I’d also like to find out how much they would charge, if you have an idea.

[JandM]

One more post and you can PM them directly if you wish.

The official list of LIAs is here. https://www.iaa.govt.nz/