How can I, not being a 'tradesman' (e.g. carpenter etc.) emigrate to New Zealand? Where do I get easy advice?

Question

Would like to emigrate to New Zealand. Went to emigration show and basically got laughed out the door. I have professional Health and Safety Qualification and Man Management skills as well as IT literate. Married but no dependant kids. Relatives (cousins) already out there since the 70's. Have about £150k in assetts. Will any of this help me - Straight forward, easy to understand advice required.

Answer 1

I'm not sure why they would laugh. It sounds like you have some things that would earn points. However, you say you have had family there since the 70's, which means you are how old..? The older you are, the lesser your chances. If you are over 55, you cannot even apply under the skilled migrant visa. Also, your skills will only count if you have a degree in that area or extended work experience directly utilizing those skills. I would think your assets would be a plus under a different type of scheme however. You can do some preliminary tests and read up on desired skills at the link below.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workandlivepermanently/caniworkinnz/

Answer 2

Hi

Hopefully you were not laughed at nor treated with anything other than respect and courtesy at the recent exhibition. These expos are put on to showcase New Zealand and it's rather disappointing to think that people who are interested in our country are not given the due respect they deserve.

New Zealand is very keen to accept new immigrants, however, the current policy is that new immigrants need to have the skill sets that we are seeking and/or bring funds here to invest in the country to create jobs. Your assets are not large enough to qualify as an investor and, if you don't have experience, qualifications or an offer of a job in an area of industry that NZ is looking for, then your chances of being approved as a new migrant are, sadly to say, next to zero.

You don't say how old you are, but the older you are above the core target age group, the more the immigration points system works against you. I notice you say that you have no 'dependant' children; does this imply that you have children, but they are adults?? If this means you are 56 years old or over, then I'm afraid you will not be granted residence under the skilled migrant category.

Does your wife have any qualifications or experience that may be of interest to the NZ government? The NZ government doesnt favour one gender or the other; either you or your wife can apply as the primary applicant, with the other partner being added as a supplemental candidate.

There is a family category under which people who have family already here can apply but, again sadly, a cousin is not considered a close enough relationship to qualify under that category.

The only avenues I can think of, if you are really keen, is either to seek an appointment with an immigration consultant who may be able to assist (but they cost quite a bit, although some offer an initial assessment for free), or ask your cousins to make enquiries locally to see if they can get a potential employer interested in offering you a job/sponsoring you. Lastly, you could always come here on holiday and look around for potential opportunities.

Sorry, I couldn't be more encouraging.

Answer 3

To find out if you qualify to become a resident, which will allow you to live and work in New Zealand, you should visit the New Zealand Immigration website. It is very comprehensive and will show you clearly the various ways you can qualify to come to New Zealand with your family. The site also has many good links to other sites which will help you further. Through the site you can complete a 'self test' to see if you are likely to qualify. If you believe you do, then you can complete an expression of interest with a view to being invited to submit a full application. From the information you have given in your question you appear to fit precisely the profile of immigrant NZ is looking for. You and your family will have to show that you are medically fit and have no criminal record. New Zealand has some urgent skills shortages (the website details what these are) and it will be a major plus in your favour if your qualification is in one of those areas or if you can line up a job offer as part of your application. The immigration website is given below as well as a respected NZ job site. I see from another question you asked that you have concerns about losing your UK pension rights if you emigrate. Currently, New Zealand has a reciprocal arrangement with the UK whereby pension entitlements in the UK count towards pension rights in NZ. The current arrangement is that on retirement here you will be paid a NZ pension which is universal (i.e. not means tested) but is a fixed sum index adjusted annually. You will be allowed to either claim the UK pension and have it topped up with a local NZ$ payment to the value of the NZ pension or sign over the UK pension to the NZ government and take the NZ pension in its entirety. However, you will not be allowed to have both!!! My general advice to you would be to talk to the UK authorities and see what they require from you to protect the pension paid to you by them. Good luck!

Answer 4

I've been to New Zealand

If you go to the north and work on a farm you can attain a Tax I.D. number, I did

This might help

However, I have come to understand that you have to pay to get in.