Now We're in NZ. What's Next?

There are few things to take care of when you first arrive in NZ. Having the following checklist and getting them done early on will save you time and energy:

• Secure an IRD number.
• Open a bank account.
• Get the Section49 condition removed (check your passport if you have this).
• Open a credit card account (to establish credit history).
• Apply to WINZ if needing settlement support.
• Connect with local groups or organisations in the community.
• For basic necessities, check out stores (or online stores) for clearance or closing down sales.
• Find schools for your kids.
• Find a GP (General Practitioner).
• Get a driver's license.

More info on my succeeding posts! :-)

Why NZ?

This question is usually asked during phone interviews with a case officer to make sure you have good and realistic reasons why you are leaving your beloved country for NZ.  Asking ourselves this question also helps us in making goals somehow clearer  and in defining what we really want.  Ending up in a disaster and with regret is the last thing that we want to happen when we decide on something without clear objectives especially if we have a partner or a family. It also helps in knowing if NZ is the right place for you.

To answer this question, an intensive research is crucial. In our case, we took advantage of the internet.  Great articles about this country are found on NZ government sites. But if you want to know the good, the bad and the ugly, you have to read reviews, visit forums and blogs, join online organisations created by NZ immigrants themselves and ask friends, if any, who are already in NZ for honest feedback. This way, your expectations will be set accordingly.

My husband and I have several reasons for choosing NZ as our second home:

1.  Laid-back lifestyle
         - Indeed, NZ has  this characteristic especially in the suburbs.
2.  Safety and security
        - Yes, NZ is one of the safest places in the world.
3.  Career growth
        - My husband is in the software development industry which belongs to NZ's Long Term Skill Shortage List.

Most Kiwis are family-oriented.  Employees in most companies are allowed to have flexible work schedule especially those with families.  As one Kiwi boss puts it, "If you want to get rich, go to UK or Australia. If you want to be happy, stay in NZ."
     

What's up?

That was a long vacation! Well, I've published some posts about our journey to New Zealand last year. Got very busy but finally made it here in NZ.  Did some organising with my blogs and I started a different blog about almost everything related to NZ. Check this out if interested -> www.rovingfeet.blogspot.com.

New Zealand's National Sport

NZ experience is never complete without having to witness a rugby game. 

Don't get scared or wonder when one evening NZ's CBD area momentarily looks like a ghost town.  Then after about an hour you'd see people wearing black (some with face paint) coming out from nowhere and buses and trains getting full with drivers accommodating standing passengers.  That just means the national rugby team "All Blacks" just hit the arena for a game.

So glad we got the chance to watch the September 13 game between All Blacks and South Africa. My husband won the tickets with jersey shirts and rugby balls during Pak'nSave's Father's Day raffle draw.  Instead of selling, we decided to keep and use them since we don't see ourselves setting money aside to be able to watch such a game event. 

Here's my little angel cheering for the unbeatable team after the game. 

Steps We Took in Applying for Resident Visa under Skilled Migrant Category

Though the following information can be found on the INZ website, I have outlined the steps to give you an overview of what you'll need to go through. I will be tackling specifically on how to get a resident visa under Skilled Migrant Category which is the visa type we applied for, not to mention the subject I am familiar with.

Step 1- Check Visa Options 

• Go to:  https://visaoptions.immigration.govt.nz/Home/Landing.aspx
• Then: https://visaoptions.immigration.govt.nz/Home/CommonPersonal.aspx 

Step 2 - Check eligibility (succeeding steps and links are specific to SMC)

• Quick Check  - minimum criteria for health, character and English ability ->   
• http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/caniapply/
• Compute total points (points threshold is 100) 
• Calculator-> https://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/
• How points are assigned-> http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/caniapply/points/default.htm
• Proceed to the next step if total number of points equals 100 or above

Step 3 - Submit EOI

• Read details here -> 
• https://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/apply/
• For online EOI, create account here-> 
• https://www.immigration.govt.nz/secure/default.htm
• No need to complete online EOI all at once. As indicated on the site, you can save it and come back to it anytime you want. It is better to have all the documents and requirements ready before finally submitting your EOI so you don't get pressured completing everything down the road once deadlines are set by INZ. 
• Check requirements here-> http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/apply/evidence/

Step 4 - Wait for notification. If EOI is selected from the pool, you'll get notified  and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and a form that includes all information you indicated on your EOI. Check for discrepancies and inform the processing staff immediately if there's any.

Step 5 - Within 4 months upon receiving the ITA, send the hardcopy of the ITA application form, all relevant documents, proofs, evidences and application fee to INZ. Fees are subject to change so make sure you check the INZ site before making payments.

Step 6 - Allocation to case officer. A notification will be received in 1 to 2 months about allocation of your application to a case officer. This is under normal circumstances. Complexity of your case or availability of case officer might affect the turnaround time.

Step 7 - Interview with case officer over the phone. This will take several months depending on the complexity of your case or availability of CO. Ours took 9 months before interview was scheduled since our CO took a medical leave from work and was not endorsed to another CO. 

Step 8 - Wait for Approval. Within 1 to 3 months, you'll receive an invitation to apply for Job Search Visa (JSV), sometimes referred to as Work-to-Residence (WTR) or a Resident Visa (RV) if you're one of those lucky applicants. All requirements should be submitted within 3 months before the given expiration date. 

Step 9 - Send forms (JSV or RV), passports, and fees to  INZ for labelling or stamping. We paid 40 USD ($30 courier fee +  $10 bank fee). Labelling takes 10 working days.

Step 10 - Wait for your passport with visa stamp. We got our passports back with visa labels/stamps after 9 days.

* Steps above do not include other assessments (e.g., PAR, NZQA).

If JSV is granted instead of RV, another set of requirements have to be submitted. Check this post for the details: http://rovingfeet.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/from-job-search-visa-to-residence-visa.html.

Telephone Interview Questions (NZ Visa - Skilled Migrant Category)

Following are the questions asked during our phone interview with our case officer based in Shanghai branch:

For the principal applicant (my husband):

• Have you ever been to New Zealand before? 
• In the instance you are granted a visa, when would you be looking at making the move to New Zealand?
• Can you tell me about why you decided on New Zealand as a place to migrate to?
• Have you given thought to where in New Zealand you might like to settle? Why this area in particular?
• What kind of industry would you like to work in NZ?
• What kind of position are you interested in?
• What do you know about the opportunities under current labour market for this type of work in New Zealand?
• Are there specific websites you have used to look for employment?
• Have you contacted any recruitment agencies?
• How long have you been investigating employment in NZ?
• Are there any employers in NZ that particularly interest you?
• Have you got any good response from them?
• Is it your intention to find full time or part time employment?
• Are you familiar with salary range for your occupation in NZ?
• Do you think you will encounter any difficulties or barriers in finding skilled employment in New Zealand?
• From when you enter New Zealand, how long do you expect it will take you to obtain skilled employment?
• Socially speaking, have you given any thought to how you might integrate and settle?
• Apart from Philippines, have you ever lived in any other country? How about travelling?
• What do you know about housing market in NZ?
• What do you know about the general cost of living in NZ?
• Do you have any friends or family in NZ?
• What support do you expect to gain from them?
• Are any of these people able to offer you support in finding skilled employment in New Zealand?
• Do you intend to stay with friends when you first arrive in NZ?

For me:

• Madam, do you work now?
• Where did you work before?
• Do you intend to work in NZ?
• What sort of employment would you be looking for?
• Have you investigated employment opportunities in NZ?
• Is it your intention to work full time or part time in NZ?
• Apart from Philippines, have you ever lived in any other countries?
• What do you know about education system in NZ?

The interview lasted around 45 to 50 minutes.

For interview tips and overview, please check this link.