Help me emigrate to AU/NZ
October 13, 2011 2:55 AM Subscribe
Help me emigrate to AU/NZ!
I want to emigrate to either Australia or New Zealand, but looking at the Skilled Migrants Visa options for both countries, it sounds intimidating.
I am 35, single, and have 10 years of work experience in a prominent academic library. I have a Master's qualification in library management from an accredited UK university.
Has anyone ever used agencies that assist people in obtaining visas? Are they extremely expensive? Scams or actually helpful?
How do I get started? Any advice or help would be great.
I want to emigrate to either Australia or New Zealand, but looking at the Skilled Migrants Visa options for both countries, it sounds intimidating.
I am 35, single, and have 10 years of work experience in a prominent academic library. I have a Master's qualification in library management from an accredited UK university.
Has anyone ever used agencies that assist people in obtaining visas? Are they extremely expensive? Scams or actually helpful?
How do I get started? Any advice or help would be great.
I know my dad went through all this when the whole family emigrated to NZ. We tried Australia first but they denied us due to that the kids were over weight. NZ we got in first go. We did not use any agents as far I know.
posted by lundman at 3:40 AM on October 13, 2011
posted by lundman at 3:40 AM on October 13, 2011
Another option is to apply for jobs and enter on a workplace-sponsored e457 visa (seems to be very routine in academic institutions in Australia- that's how I got here). You can apply for permanent residency later on.
posted by emd3737 at 4:54 AM on October 13, 2011
posted by emd3737 at 4:54 AM on October 13, 2011
My friend used to work for an immigration consultancy in New Zealand. He advises it was essentially a scam, as there is/was nothing the consultancy could do for you you that you couldn't do yourself.
He does have some great stories about unwashed Chinese street-person people turning up with massive sacks of dollar bills, though.
posted by Sebmojo at 1:39 PM on October 13, 2011
He does have some great stories about unwashed Chinese street-person people turning up with massive sacks of dollar bills, though.
posted by Sebmojo at 1:39 PM on October 13, 2011
My experience with the whole Australia immigration process was rather painless. There are firms that specialize in "helping" you through the process for a few thousand dollars, many of my friends used them, but I did it myself just reading the forms and filling them out myself and it was surprisingly straightforward and clear. Anyone that can read and write English won't need assistance with these documents. Yes they feel like a scam.
Some people want to get professional assistance for peace of mind, being afraid they might make a mistake. I mixed up a document somewhere myself (got swapped between 2 different envelopes) and the case officer assigned to me just sent me an email saying it was missing, please resend, and I did, no dramas.
The more interesting knowledge you might gain from going through firm that specializes in this would be the lead-times in procuring certain documents. For example, some people did not know it could take 3-6 months to obtain a certificate of good conduct from their home country.
posted by xdvesper at 3:27 PM on October 13, 2011
Some people want to get professional assistance for peace of mind, being afraid they might make a mistake. I mixed up a document somewhere myself (got swapped between 2 different envelopes) and the case officer assigned to me just sent me an email saying it was missing, please resend, and I did, no dramas.
The more interesting knowledge you might gain from going through firm that specializes in this would be the lead-times in procuring certain documents. For example, some people did not know it could take 3-6 months to obtain a certificate of good conduct from their home country.
posted by xdvesper at 3:27 PM on October 13, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers, everyone! I feel slightly less scared now. Will definitely go through the links provided.
posted by Alnedra at 12:28 AM on October 14, 2011
posted by Alnedra at 12:28 AM on October 14, 2011
Best answer: Immigration advisors in NZ are, indeed, pretty much a scam. One hit the headlines recently when it went broke having failed to file money and applications for clients, leaving them screwed on their applications to come to or stay in NZ.
The New Zealand Immigration Service (a government department) has an office in Singapore, so you can just drop in and talk to people.
As an NZ citizen I've got no experience getting in here myself, but friends who have immigrated tell me it can be very challenging. The fact you have no dependents is a win for you. One option would be to look at a Silver Fern Visa, which gives skilled under-35s 9 months to live here and find work; that's aside from the normal Skiled Migrant catgeory; there's a points calculator that will give you an idea on that front.
Drop me a memail if you want me to put you in touch with archivist/librarian types I know in Wellington, or take a squizz at the National Archives, National Library, and (the holy grail!) the Turnbull Collection.
posted by rodgerd at 6:44 PM on October 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
The New Zealand Immigration Service (a government department) has an office in Singapore, so you can just drop in and talk to people.
As an NZ citizen I've got no experience getting in here myself, but friends who have immigrated tell me it can be very challenging. The fact you have no dependents is a win for you. One option would be to look at a Silver Fern Visa, which gives skilled under-35s 9 months to live here and find work; that's aside from the normal Skiled Migrant catgeory; there's a points calculator that will give you an idea on that front.
Drop me a memail if you want me to put you in touch with archivist/librarian types I know in Wellington, or take a squizz at the National Archives, National Library, and (the holy grail!) the Turnbull Collection.
posted by rodgerd at 6:44 PM on October 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I know people who have emigrated to NZ and worked as librarians, so it's certainly possible to do so. I'm not sure exactly what visa they were on - I'll ask around.
I follow the NZ librarian mailing lists, and it seems as though there are a reasonable number of academic library vacancies at the moment, so it could be a good time to immigrate. If you decide to consider Wellington let me know, I used to work in the Victoria University library so I might be able to offer some suggestions. (I know some people at National Library and National Archives as well, if that interests you).
posted by Infinite Jest at 6:16 PM on October 16, 2011
I follow the NZ librarian mailing lists, and it seems as though there are a reasonable number of academic library vacancies at the moment, so it could be a good time to immigrate. If you decide to consider Wellington let me know, I used to work in the Victoria University library so I might be able to offer some suggestions. (I know some people at National Library and National Archives as well, if that interests you).
posted by Infinite Jest at 6:16 PM on October 16, 2011
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For Australia, if you want to stay in the same sector, you may find that few academic library employers are willing to obtain a visa for you - many jobs say 'ability to work permanently'. This tends to drop off the higher level you are at. I'd suggest contacting libraries to see whether this applies to the level of job you are seeking - if you are looking at department manager, deputy direct etc, this should not be such an issue.
Can't comment on using a visa agent, although this is very common.
Good luck - it's a good time to go to Australia especially, there are a lot of academic library jobs vacant at the senior level right now.
posted by wingless_angel at 3:26 AM on October 13, 2011