Visiting Nelson next week for work, worried about catch 22 of job offer without visa

Hi,
My hubby is due to visit Nelson next week for a two week job hunting exercise.

Over the past few weeks we have contacted employees, agencies, settlement support etc - anyone we can think of to make as many contacts as possible.

Several people have agreed to meet him to discuss job opportunities, but we're getting concerned at the likelihood of anyone being prepared to provide a formal job offer without him having a visa in place.

As with most people however, we can't get a visa without a job offer.

He is a very experienced nurseryman with a wide knowledge of European, American and Asian tree species. He has the knowledge of an Arborist (which is on the skills shortage list) but doesn't have the qualification to back it up so would have to apply as a Nurseryman - still a skilled occ, but not on the shortage list.

I realise it is different for each sector, but what are employers views likely to be on offer a job to someone without a visa?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We want to make this trip as successful as possible.

Sorry for the Very long post!!

That's not a long post  & if it were a long post it wouldn't matter.

The first thing that comes into my mind is that you will need to ensure that the employer understands that it is a job offer first before a visa can be issued & is comfortable with that and that the employer is free to offer your OH a position as it is on a shortage list.

Although it's ten years ago now, we did the exact same thing your OH will be doing & had the same type of issue, where most didn't really understand that NZ immigration don't issue work visas willy nilly to anyone. They ensure the overseas person has a proper NZ job . Some prospective employers saw the visa thing as a difficulty paperwork wise. You will need to re-assure the employer that all they need do is give you a formal job offer letter/contract stating terms and conditions.

The other thing is to reassure the NZ employer that you will start a.s.a.p. if they offer you a position. That you would immediately qualify to apply for a temp work visa/permit once you have a contract of employment in the grubby mitt.

Good luck. 

I'll move this to the main NZ forum so more people will see it & contribute.

Thanks Bevs, its encouraging to hear from someone who has been there and got through the process successfully.

Just to clarify - he would have to apply as a nurseryman which is on the skilled occupation list but a not on the skills shortage list. 

Therefore, my understanding is that we would have to apply under a Skilled Migrant Visa upon receipt of a job offer.

Am I right or could he get a temp work visa? I thought you had to be on the shortage list to qualify for essential skills work visa.

Please tell me I'm wrong!!!

Ah ! Makes a difference.

He could, in theory, still apply for a temp work visa to get him started if the NZ employer wanted him to start yesterday. As the occupation is not on the shortage lists , the NZ employer would have to prove there is no NZ resident or citizen that could take that job.

This would mean a form from the employer and proof from them that the job had been advertised properly etc.

I currently work in Nelson and have gone through this process with at least half a dozen people that I have employed. Although they were here at the time, the principle is the same. As stated above the main consideration is that the NZ employer has demonstrated a reasonable effort to recruit a kiwi.

One other fairly major aspect that they don't always emphasise until much later down the line is that the salary has to be reasonable and the employer is not simply recruiting cheap labour. This is particularly relevant in Nelson as the wages are lower than in the major centres such as Akl and ChCh.

Personally I would always employ a kiwi if it is possible, but in my field (analytical chemistry) it is virtually never possible (2 in 10 years!!), so I am happy to undertake the extra paperwork associated with employing a migrant. Analytical chemistry is not on the list of skills shortages, the same as nurseryman.

Hope this helps, it seemed to make sense to me.

Yes. True. The old sunshine dollar as the saying goes in these parts.

NZIS and the Dept of Labour will check that the wage/salary offered is the 'going rate' for the occupation as pornopants states.

When being offered a wage , it doesn't hurt to try and bargain a little bit. For trades this tends to be how it works.

How did this go?

Hi Gazmac,
It was a really great trip! Hubby managed to secure a great job offer and fell in love with the place completely!

He met lots of really nice people and found everyone so welcoming.

So now back in the uk we have received the formal contract, had our EOI selected and have received our ITA  just waiting for our medical appts and will then submit everything with fingers crossed that we get the visa approved.

Hopefully we'll be Nelson bound by September.

Good news.  I love happy results.

September. Just in time for a growing season and for Spring. Even better.



I've a friend's son looking to come out as a game-keeper/poultry farmer so am hoping for the same for him in this area.