Which route did you take to get into New Zealand?

[mommy2rhys]

I have to be honest when I say that on our LSD, if we didn't have so much back in SA we would have most definitely never returned!!!! It took us a 11 months and 26 days from the day we arrived in Auckland and until we received a letter from our DOL rep saying our LTBV had been approved.  In this time we sold both our businesses and we are now waiting for the transfer of our house to go through.....(the banks took their sweet time deciding whether our property was rural or agricultural, Zone A or Zone B?!?!?!? The banks here drive me   ! I could just  somebody at SA's light blue bank with a tree!!!!) Okay so I know the last bit of my post should have been kept for the 'long white sofa' section of the forum .... but I just had to get it off my chest!   

Arrived in Auckland on LSD 15 November 2007
DOL acknowledged receipt of our LTBV application on 27 Oct 2008
DOL granted our LTBV on 10 Nov 2008

[Bevmac]

Looking at the poll results it looks like Cowboy style is/was the way the majority have gone to NZ.

My question to you now is would you recommend cowboy style still considering the recession and all?

Who is still planning on coming cowboy style as we speak?

[Nolan]

I can honestly say that most SA's I meet here (in NZ) are actually surprised when they find out that we have PR, seems like most guys just pitch up here and do the wild thing on WP's and sort their PR out whenever. I am a risk taker by nature, but that is just too much of a risk for me. If you qualify for PR, get it first, then come. If you have no choice, then by all means hop on a plane, but don't burn your bridges in SA when you leave.

[dance]

Well said Nolan. That is exactly how we felt.

[Saturn_Moon]

Very good advice Nolan. 

My DH and I are over in NZ on Cowboy style but although we have our goods packed up in a pallet ready to be shipped it won't be shipped until we have at least PR approved in Principle.

We have also not yet sold my DH's car so that if things go pear shaped in NZ and we have to return to SA (God forbid) then we can still get around and will also have enough money to support us (even if we were to stay in NZ for the full 3 months on our visitor's visas) for about 2 months to hopefully get work again in SA. I doubt I would touch Gauteng again with a ten foot pole though - I really hate it there.

[tmprince]

Troy and I are playing it safe, but the waiting is driving me nuts.
Troy maintains if we sell our house before PR approval he is gaping it to NZ and will wait for it there. Me I'm too chicken 
But as in Ruth - I go where he go.

at this rate though I don't think it will happen as the DHL angel called this morning to say they will deliver between 13h00 and 14h00 (I fetch kids from school at 13h30) so guess will call in backup ( yikes my backups are staying in SA  ) never figuered on that one did I?

There are going to be lots of changes for us as a family I guess but one step at a time will get us through the gate.

[Awa]

We came over cowboy style but I would not recommend it unless you have no other choice.  We did not have enough points without a job offer and just couldn't secure that while in SA.  It was a hair raising experience.  The stress is something out of a horror movie.   Our saving grace was that my OH was on the skills shortage list so he was able to secure a job.  With the economy the way it is and if you are not on the skills shortage list I would not recommend it right now.   I have a wp now and I am still struggling to find a job.  Have over 12 years admin, accounts and reception experience and am still getting rejected.  If they can find your skills amongst the kiwi's the chances that they will wait for you to get a wp is slim and that's not even talking about getting past immigration who is not that keen to give you a permit if there are kiwis who can do the job.    In hindsight I am amazed at all the things that just seem to fall into place for us and I would probably do it again for the sake of a better future but believe me it was no picnic!

[Zorg]

Work to Residence work visa opportunities

Remember: the Work to Residence policy is an opportunity to seek skilled employment in New Zealand - not a guarantee of finding work, a job offer or gaining residency.  It's simply a stepping stone towards permanent residency in New Zealand.

........oh, and by the way you must have a job offer to enter on these visas??!!!!!!!
This chicken and egg story is drivin meee nuuuuuuutttttttttttttssssssssssssss

[SaKiwiBoer]

It's also called the "catch 22" situation. All of us, or nearly all, had to deal with it as well. SAKB.

[AndreCT]

EOI
ITA
PR
LSD
Partial Relocation.