View Full Version : Where can a NZ Citizen work'
Hi all,
I'm a NZ Citizen who is currently working in the Netherlands. In the last 10 years I lived in Australia and got a PPL with 120 hours.
I'm not sure if I should put in the time/money/effort here in the Netherlands to carry onto a CPL.
The reason is that since I'm not a European Resident I am not sure if I'm eligible to work at a pilot in Europe at all.
I can continue building my hours here but even then it takes quite a bit of time and money to have my PPL converted to an EASA license.
Would you say it is worth the effort to continue flying here?
Many thanks
Climb150
4th Dec 2019, 10:05
Seeing as you already live in the EU surely it would be easier to ask whoever had organised your current work visa requirements?
Asking Pprune for visa advice is dangerous
I currently have a 5 year residence permit for the Netherlands but it is in a completely unrelated field. The residence permit was organized by the current company.
Any new company that I work for will also need to sponsor the residence permit. Most airlines in Europe will only hire people who already have unrestricted rights to live/work in the EU.
Most airlines in Europe will only hire people who already have unrestricted rights to live/work in the EU.
Unrestricted right to live/work in EU means you should hold European passport. I have a permanent residence permit in one of the EU countries but it does't give me the right to work anywhere else in EU. I have ATPL with airline experience, but when I apply for a better job I get declined. They don't wanna mess with all the paperwork and permits. Of course there is an exception and they might hire you indirectly trough offshore subcontractor but its the job no one else is willing to take. If you are happy flying for "rock bottom" airlines and get around 20k per year then go for it.
It's a minefield of paperwork, effort and side-eyes. It's better for you to find a company in New Zealand or Australia to work. I've come across several cadet programs there and I'm sure there is some Australia-NZ agreement that might let you work for Australian airlines.
Ollie Onion
5th Dec 2019, 22:35
Can't you get citizenship in the Netherlands after 5 years? That''s what I did in the UK, I had a 5 year residency visa and after 5 years took the citizenship test and got a UK passport. Job done.
Is it that simple in UK? EU immigration laws are different and you have to live 5 years on temporary residence then another 5 years on permanent and only then you are good for the citizenship.