The NZ Dream - The Process

Due to insistent public demand (mga isa yon), I am writing more on our application no NZ. It was in December 2003 when New Zealand Immigration Service changed their immigration system. The new procedure for Skilled Migrant Category goes like this:

Applicant submit Expression of interest (preliminary assessment) *
NZIS selects EOI (my guess is that this is system generated)
NZIS further evaluates EOI
NZIS releases Decision Successful
NZIS sends out Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Applicant completes requirements *
Applicant submits application *
NZIS interviews applicant (in Bangkok for Pinoys)
Visa approval (permanent resident or work) *

Note: items with * requires payment

To qualify, one must have at least 100 pts. To be selected, however, higher points is required. When it started in January 2004, selection points is set at 195. We didn’t submit our EOI then because we only have 110pts (115pts sana kung ako principal applicant). Each month, the selection points goes down kaya nung September of the same yr, we were able to send off our EOI (online kasi mas mura, NZ$316). After a few days, the status of our EOI changed to selected, yippee!

In December, NZIS decided on our favor, we got our ITA pack. We learned from the pack that our visa application is assigned in Bangkok (Manila embassy does not handle PR visa applications). We were given 4 months to complete all the requirements. This includes birth and marriage certificates (must be from NSO), medical clearance, NBI and Police certs., IELTS (for proof of English proficiency), and even NZQA (not necessary bec. our schools are recognized). We are almost ok with these requirements except for the medicals. Nag-e-expire kasi yon, valid only for 3 months. We paid almost Php18,000 for our medical tests (2 adults, a 5-y/o and an 8-month old). Mas mahal pa kung wala kaming Hepa B vacc ni Henry.

The moment we got the results of our medical, I submitted our application to Bangkok. Nasa Php2000 yung binayad ko sa DHL (more than 1kg). In less than 24hrs, the parcel was already in NZIS Bangkok (March 17). Na-debit na sa credit card ko yung application fee – US$890 after a few days.

April 29, I received a letter from our visa officer inviting us for an interview. If all goes well, the visa will be released 2 months after the interview. Pwedeng pang ma-rejected yung application namin. Kung suswertehin, work visa ang ibibigay. Kung sobrang swerte naman, Permanent Resident. Paglabas ng result, maglalabas ulit kami ng NZ$1200 for the migrant levy. Mahaba-habang intayan pa rin to. Madami-daming perang kailangan. Sana swertehin kami pero mas maganda kung sobrang swerte.