From Adventure to Burden
In recent months the news has been flooded with stories of migrants who have been in New Zealand for years, built a life here and had to leave because they were not eligible for a resident visa or worse, a resident visa application was declined.
For many people moving to New Zealand starts out as an adventure. Everything is exiting and new and renewing for a new temporary visa a number of times doesn’t really matter to them. But after a couple of years, they have built a life here and have friends and a good job. They have settled and suddenly the prospect of having to apply for a new work visa becomes unsettling and the uncertainty of whether or not it will be granted becomes a burden.
Stay or leave?
They decide to apply for a resident visa but have never really looked into it or the information they had is outdated. And soon they realise there is no chance a resident visa will be granted or they have forked out the Immigration New Zealand fees to strand at the EOI process or even worse to get their resident visa application declined.
It is important to understand that the requirements on occupations and jobs are lower for a temporary work visa than for a resident visa. Only people with an occupation on the List of Skilled occupations are eligible for a resident visa. Different additional requirements are in place for occupations in part A, B and C of this list. In principle, any occupation can lead to a work visa, although in real life it doesn’t work this way.
Know what your options are in the long term before you move to New Zealand (and keep up to date) or inform yourself well before you apply for a resident visa to see if your eligible.
There is, of course, a vast group of people that wants security as soon as possible. They usually wish to start their resident visa process as soon as possible. The difference with the group described above is that they usually are well informed.
Hi Feija,
I got my post study work visa last year and I have to apply for my employer assisted work visa on this May. But my wage is just 18.50 $, But it doesn’t say anything about the salary in Work visa condition in Immi website. So will I be able to apply for the work visa without any hassle or should I consider asking for a pay rise? Thanks.
Hi Rayan,
For a post-study work visa, there are no income thresholds. However, your hourly rate must always be market-rate.
Kind regards,
Feija
Hi.
I am on essential Work permit over 10 years. I am living in south Island and work as a manager in fast food restaurant. My job is not under the Skill Migrant category(ANZCO). Is any hope to get a PR for out of insecurity?
Thank you.
Hi Mark,
I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. Fast Food Managers are considered Retail Managers. I assume that the fast food chain you are working for is a franchise.
Part of a Retail Managers job, according to INZ, is determining the product mix, advertising and formulating policies to name a few. Most of these tasks are done by the head office of the franchise.
If this is the case you. most likely, will not be able to successfully apply for a resident visa.
Hi Feija,
I was granted Residence in 2013 via spouse, Unfortunately we separated pretty soon after that, and when I applied for PR in 2015, they gave me a variations of travel conditions instead, citing the reason that I split up too soon with my ex-partner. I was actually asked to write a letter to explain my split up before they made their decision, but somehow they still just gave me the travel conditions, not PR. And I was not given a declination letter from them, since officially they didn’t decline my application, but just granted me a different visa.
I want to ask, is it wise for me to apply for PR again now? I’m thinking, if last time they didn’t give me PR, then will it make any difference now that a year has passed? Btw, I met the commitment conditions last time and still do now.
Hi..
Our PR application was rejected. Therefore how many months to wait if I apply again.
Thanks
Hi Thanu,
It depends on why your Permanent Resident visa was declined when and if you can apply again.
The letter you received from Immigration should state the reason why the visa was declined. If you just didn’t meet a requirement (e.g. time spent in New Zealand) then you can apply as soon as you meet this requirement.
If it is more serious and more difficult or impossible to meet requirements you might not be able to get a PR.
Kind regards,
Feija