Applying for Residency and PR (NZ Based Only) 2019

[ajinnzed]

almost 15months with our application and still waiting.. 😔

[Deleted]

ajinnzed they recently updated the timeframe to 15months. nakakakaba tuloy, magpapasa pa lang kami ng ITA. baka abutin din kami ng ganyan D:

[Barbz]

Hi Everyone,

I want to share my recent experience with my SMC application. I am on my EOI stage and have not yet receive my ITA ( i might be waiting min 2 years to get my residency if my applications go on smoothly and no issue knowing ITA processing lead time now is 14 months).

I submitted my EOI 4 months ago and until now no response or ITA have been received. December 2019 before xmas break I rung immigration to check if they have sent me an ITA and was not able to receive it. I am confident that i will be receiving an ITA coz my status online says ‘decision successful’ ( i am assuming this is positive). The woman on the line told me that I am going to receive an email by sometime January 2020. January comes and waited until end of the month no ITA or email received. Yesterday, 4th of February I rung immigration again to check; Waited nearly half an hour i donno why it took her that long to check before the woman I spoke to told me that there was an email response sent dated 12 Nov 219; she asked my email address to double check if where they sent it to is correct. My reply was its impossible to miss the email as I always check my inbox, Junk and Spam almost like everyday, in addition, i told her the woman i I spoke to before when I rung immigration said no response yet sent to in regards to my application, then she added probably there might have been a problem with my inbox capacity as this could be a possible issue (duh!? Really?! I delete unwanted and not important emails) Before we ended our conversation she said, she’s going to request to resend the email to me within 24 hours, then ring back immigration if nothing comes through. After 24 hrs, nothing nada no email from immigration. ( I was kinda expecting this already).
Just wondering if I am the only one experiencing this long waiting time only to get an ITA. Although I know to get an ITA timeline max is 4 months (correct me if i am wrong) so somehow my waiting time still ok unless timeline has changed recently.
I am just confused where is the problem, my email inbox capacity, the first woman who told me immigration has not send me any response email /ITA yet or the second woman who told me that immigration did send a response to my application but was not only able to receive it.

... While creating this post, i was ringing immigration.. and after loooong waiting nearly an hour, I heard finally a voice on the other line. Sadly, again I was told the same thing to ring immigration back again if i have not receive the email by Friday as it takes 2 working days to review and process the request. 😤. Let see what happens next.. 😩

Anyway, Thank you everyone for giving a time to read my post.
Goodluck to all of us applying and congratulations to all applicants who
just recently got their residency.

[divhon]

Barbz ung mga kausap mo kasi parang mga outsourced call centre agents na lang yan, I even doubt kung employee pa ng department yang mga yan. Napansin ko mas nagiging verbatim na ung mga sagot nila pag tatawag, "can you please hold the line I'm just gonna check with my supervisor" kahit sa mga simple tanong.

Put everything in black and white para may evidences ka in the future for reference email mo sila dito

[e-mail] ako hindi nako tumatawag pag may mga inquiry ngeemail nako direct jan.

Luckily I'm a public servant now hence I got a gov't email and I make sure I always use that email to contact them, I always get a prompt and straight forward response nman from a senior staff.

[Barbz]

divhon thank you sa suggestion mo. Subukan ko rin mag -email dito ([e-mail]) sana mabilis at meron matinong sagot akong makuha skanila.

[Deleted]

hello guys. ano magandang courier gamitin for sending ITA docs?

[divhon]

@formulashp kung gusto mo tlaga maganda ipa DHL mo. pero ung NZ Post tracked and signatured maganda na para saken.

[allune]

Inamin na rin sa wakas ng INZ na may priority criteria sila... at may backlog sila

[Deleted]

thank you divhon ayun nga, iniisip ko kung ok ba yung NZ Post pero siguro ipa-DHL ko na lang.

[allune]

@formulashp parang OA na yung DHL if onshore naman... NZPost will do, yan din ang gamit kahit ng LIA...

[sunny]

allune @formulashp hahaha naalala ko, NZpost na no tracking pa ginamit ko for ITA docs ko nun haha nagulantang friends ko, umabot naman sa INZ XD pero nag-tracking na ko nung passport pinadala ko

[Deleted]

allune alright! salamat po! medyo excited na din ako magpasa dahil pasok ako sa criteria ng priority.

sunny haha grabe lakas ng loob

[allune]

@formulashp pwede kang mag upgrade sa NZ post na maging non-tracked+courier or tracked+courier... pwede ring signature required

[Deleted]

allune salamat sa tips! take note ko po. usually po ba ilang buwan bago nila ibalik yung documents?

[divhon]

"A vote for New Zealand First will see the permanent residency qualification raised from two to five years," Peters said.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/411107/nz-first-election-policy-winston-peters-highlights-immigration-provincial-growth-fund-tax

I hope everybody from here are voting blue!

[archangel]

Thanks for sharing. I'm keen on finding out what each party has in store this time around to tackle the challenge of governing New Zealand in the most sustainable way long term before I cast my vote.

[allune]

Blue isn’t for the renters... one recent article really made me concerned. Just want to point out though that they were the ones who started the barrage of immig policy change in 2016 (starting the tightening immigration rhetoric to gain Pakeha/local voters). I will never forget that because I myself was affected that year.

Anyway I don’t think it’s good to politicise this thread. Baka may ibang thread for that.

[Barbz]

Hello to All,

Just an update in regards to my EOI application; I had the chance to finally receive my ITA (February) However, i was not able to get an extension of additional 3 months despite of explaining everything on what happened. So with very limited time, I was able to manage to prepare and submit all the documents in a month or just before my due date. It was very stressful and time consuming especially having all my documents signed by JP, securing my NBI certificate as fast as I can and getting work reference letter/certificate from my previous employer.

I use the NZ post when I mail all my docs to Penrose Auckland. I bought the speed mailing to make sure my application will reach the office the soonest possible time. INZ received my application the following day I mail it. Lodge my application on the same date and deduct the fees a week after. Current status online Pending.
Now, officially joining the waiting game.

My timeline:
EOI Submitted: 15 September 2019
EOI Selected: November 2019
ITA received: 11th February 2020
ITA submitted: 3rd March 2020
ITA lodged: 4th March
ITA payment deducted: 11th March
Awaiting CO to be assigned

My work visa expires on August 2020. Unfortunately, I am not one of those who got their visa extended. I was thinking of applying for an Essential work visa just to get a valid interim visa while waiting for my residency application get approve. I am just wondering, if this type of work visa is the most appropriate work visa in my current situation.

Any inputs or ideas please?

Thank you again for reading my posts.
Greatly appreciate any comments or thoughts that you may have.

Keep safe everyone.

Be kind. Be safe. Break the chain.
Kia Kaha.

[makol]

wait lang tayo Barbz maybe there is someone from the group na naka experience na din ng sitwasyon mo.

[allune]

Barbz there’s an essential skills work visa application for those who have a residency application lodged. 1 year lang yun though. Must apply maybe 2 months before expiry until the latest you can wait para hindi sayang ang validity ng current visa mo.

Personally I would apply for the longer work visa... that would entail na need i advertise ang position mo (if wala sa shortage lists) or advertise sa Work and Income (if low skilled).

I know someone na 16 months waiting na for SMC decision and wala pa rin...

[makol]

Hmmm heto po as stated sa INZ www.immigration.govt.nz/knowledgebase/kb-question/kb-question-1098

[Barbz]

Hi allune, thank you sa inputs mo and suggestion.
Essential visa ang naisip ko apply, yun nga lang 1 yr lang validity.
Questions po:
1. If essential visa, pwede ko po ba sya renew?
2. Ano po yung longer work visa? Anong visa type po?
3. Isa pa po yun worry ko, since marami jobless, redundated or nawalan ng work due to Covid-19 parang i will not be in a better position if mag-advertise sila sa position ko.
4. Ano po yung pathway ng kakilala nyo from student to employer assisted din po ba sya? Solo applicant or meron po syang sinama sa application nya?

As always maraming salamat sa pagsagot mo Allune and for reading my post.

Keep safe and take care :-)

[Barbz]

Hi makol, Thank you sa pag share ng link.
Keep safe and Take care.

[allune]

Barbz

1. Up to 6 months pa uli according to policy... check - WK3.20.10 Determining an Essential Skills work visa application where an applicant is awaiting a Skilled Migrant Category decision

www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#66937.htm

2. Essential skills work visa pa rin... which is yung required i-advertise muna sa Kiwi/NZ resident yung position...

www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/essential-skills-work-visa

3. Unfortunately yun talaga yung point ng essential skills work visa... kailangan ipakita ng employer mo na walang NZer for the job.

Try mo rin check kung pwede ka sa LTSSL work visa

4. From post study to employer assisted to essential skills work visa (with current SMC) application din siya. On hindsight pina-full essential skills work visa na lang sana kasi 3 years validity yun usually.

[Barbz]

Thank uli ng marami allune. Cge magbabasa muna ako ng mga shared links nyo ni makol habang may oras pa ako. Salamat uli sa pagsagot. Pero sa totoo lng nalilito ako at hindi ko alam at this stage kung ano ang best for me sa situation ko. I’ll try to contact INZ website din if ano say nila, email din ako dun sa binigay na email address ni divhon. For the meantime, basa basa muna ako then for sure may tanong uli ako. Salamat po uli sainyo.

Godbless!
Keep safe. Take care.

[koru_ph]

Hi Barbz,

The types of work visas you can apply for while waiting for the decision on the SMC application will depend on your situation. The WTR visas (talent and LTSSL) are valid for 30 months. Under Essential Skills, they can be valid for 1 year (in view of the SMC application as allune pointed out) but can go up to 5 years in some cases.

As you deliberate on the work visa category, it's important for you to consider that your choice may affect the conditions of your interim visa. There are instances in which changing visa categories (or conditions like your employer, occupation or location) leads to an interim visa with visitor visa conditions (ie loss of work rights).

[Barbz]

Hi @koru_ph,

Thank you sa inputs mo din. Greatly appreciate it po.

I agree po sainyong Lahat there are 3 possible work visa that I can apply. LTTSL, Talent & Essential. Unfortunately hindi pasok sa LTTSL skills ko. Talent nmn I am not sure if my employer will renew as an accredited employer and according to immigration website salary $ 90k above can apply for PR lower salary of $ 79, 560 can apply Essential instead.

I am seeing at this stage essential is the most suitable for me. However one of the criteria as pointed by allune employer must provide evidence that they made genuine attempts to recruit NZs (When I submit my Residency application I submitted a supplementary form already. Sorry allune I thought my employer require to do this again, kaya I mentioned in my previous post na, I will not be in a better position if they do this). In case nmn employer require to do this again, I can skip not to submit the supplementary as long as either one of the below is met.

1. The job you’ve been offered is on one of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists and you meet the qualification and work experience requirements listed for your occupation. Or

2. You are applying to continue working in the role you currently hold and have been invited to apply, or have applied, for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa based on your current employment. ( I belong to this category, is it safe to say if required uli advertise, I don’t need to supply because of this option?)

My ANZCO Level is 2 and within the mid-skilled level does this mean if I understand it correctly I maybe able to get a maximum duration
work visa of 3 years? If qualified ako to get 3 years is there anything that I can do to make sure in my online application I get this max visa duration or discretion na ng immigration?

if I apply this visa - will I be subject to ‘stand-down period’ ? 
condition is -You are subject to a stand-down period if you have spent 3 years working in lower-skilled employment in New Zealand while holding an Essential Skills Work Visa. ( first time to apply essential work visa and have not work in lower-skilled employment - this means this will not apply to me?)

Sorry for my long post again.
thank you again ng marami mga k-Pk sa walang sawa at tyaga mag reply.

Godbless All. Keep safe and take care.

[Barbz]

Hi Everyone, 

Nakakatuwa nmn mabilis sila sumagot sa email ko. Unang email ko the following day sagot agad. Tonight nmn nag-email ako sumagot agad after few hours lng. Eto sagot ng immigration sa tanong ko. In short.. yes need ko uli submit supplementary form.. hay.. ang requirements same lng ng sa residency.. paulit-ulit.. anyways.. thank you k-Pk..👍 Keep safe.. take care.

Barz

Kia Ora,

Thank you for contacting us.

1. Do I need to re-submit supplementary form where in employer made a genuine attempt to recruit a NZ? ( please note, I have submitted this already in my residency application)

The supplementary form will still need to be provided with your application if you are applying for an essential skills work visa.

2. If question 1 apply, will I be able to skip this because of this option stated in essential skills visa criteria ‘ You are applying to continue working in the role you currently hold and have been invited to apply, or have applied, for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa based on your current employment‘.

This is for the evidence of advertising, if you have made an application for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category and that application has not yet been completed.

3. My position falls under ANZCO level 2 and in Mid-skilled level would this allow me to stay 3 years? If yes, could you please let me know how can I make sure in my application online that I capture this to ensure I get the max duration of stay as I worry I won’t be getting any response or decision for my residency application anytime soon.

If your pay rate is NZD $21.68 to $38.24 then your skill-band would be mid-skilled with work visa duration of up to 3 years. To ensure you are eligible for the 3 year work visa make sure your employment agree clear states your pay rate/salary.

4. Is ‘stand-down period’ only apply to all existing essential skill visa holder working in lower-skilled - link says stand-down period are for those -Who spent 3 years working in lower-skilled employment in New Zealand while holding an Essential Skills Work Visa?

The “stand-down period” is if a person has held lower-skilled essential skills work visa for 3 years.

5. What is the safest duration to apply or renew work visa is it 2-3 month before current one expires? How soon to get a decision or approval for applying this type of visa?

We generally advise to apply for a further visa at least a month or two months before your current visa expires, up to you. The general timeframe for a work visa could take up to 3 months to process. At this time there is no general time frame as the immigration branches are currently closed.

6. Will there be any underlying effect on my current or future situation, like work, residency and permanent residency application etc if I apply Essential Skills Work Visa now?

Applying for an essential skills work visa now will not affect your current or future situation that we are aware of. If you apply now it will be waiting until the branches re-open.

[allune]

Barbz actually magkaiba yung supplementary form ng SMC residency application at ng work visa application so no hindi mo isa-submit lang uli.

Magkaibang forms siya at may difference sa content ng forms

INZ 1235 www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/forms-and-guides/inz1235.pdf
INZ 1113 www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/forms-and-guides/inz1113.pdf

The essential skills work visa validity you get would depend sa answer mo sa online form for example



If you choose yung may current ITA/SMC application ka, max one year lang yun as per policy na nalink ko before.

If sa ibang choices (choose the best na mag-a-apply sa situation mo) yan na yung talagang essential skills.

[Barbz]

Hi allune ,

Agree, magkaibang form sila. Panibagong request nanaman to sa HR. Pero oks lang, need ko lang request ng asap para magawan nila ng action agad. Cge, pag-aralan ko rin bullet points na share mo. Kala ko nmn nasagot na ng immigration tanong ko. Di nmn pala. Hay.. 

Thank you ng marami 👍

Barbz