NZ - Residence VISA - job options

[TRENT210]

Hopefully I’ll get a friendly response.

Basically I’ve been living with my kiwi partner in England for just under a year and we’re about to go for a kiwi residence under the partnership visa scheme.

If it’s granted ill be given a 24 month residence visa and after 24 months I can apply for permanent residence.

My question is not about whether i will get the visa or what hoops I need to jump through to get it...

Its simply what are the chances of an airline such as Mount Cook Airlines, Air Nelson, Sounds Air etc etc employing a pilot (circa 1000hrs multi crew) who is only on a 2 year residence visa?

If they require permanent residence then it’s catch 22 because to be eligible for that I have to live in NZ for at least 6 months in each of the intial 2 years which isn’t practical if it means working a non flying role

UPDATE - I’ve seen some companies asking for “indefinite permanent residence” but how strict is this when it comes to hiring experienced-ish pilots ? Correct me if I’m wrong but it seems after 2 years on a residence visa you’re almost guaranteed Permanent residence as long as you keep your nose clean

Any suggestions and feedback would be much appreciated.

[ElZilcho]

Unofficially, we have apparently started interviewing foreign nationals without residency for the Link group with the intention of sponsoring them. This has come from Pilots involved in recruitment rather than directly from the company.

In your case, foot already halfway through the door, I’d say your chances are good, depending on your experience levels, especially If you have Q300 or ATR experience.

[Lapon]

From an immigration viewpoint, being on a 2 year residency visa will not make a difference to your ability to live and work in NZ indefinatley.
The only incentive for taking out permanent residency is that it allows you to travel to and from NZ without the same restrictions.
As you will not have to travel overseas with the Link group this will not be a problem. Whether or not the link recruiters understand this is really your only hurdle.
When you arrive in NZ your PR/TR Visa will allow you to be issued a residency permit which is actually the mechanism that allows you to stay indefinatly.
With the TR the only limitation is that you either never leave the country, or if you leave make sure you renew the visa(assuming it has since expired)in order to be issued a residency permit when you get back.