post study work visa Archives

Three Year Post Study Work Visa Approved Despite Gap In Studies

Kumudu arrived in New Zealand in 2018 to pursue her higher education, and she selected a course related to sports. Despite being an offbeat course, she completed her course successfully in the first half of 2019 and graduated as a top academic student. Kumudu realising that she could excel in this field desired to upskill herself and accordingly planned to enrol in a Level 6 course with the same education provider.

Unfortunately for her, the Level 6 course was not available in semester 2 of 2019. Hence, Kumudu had to delay her re-enrolment till February 2020. However, in the interim, she decided not to sit idle and enrolled on an English language course to improve her communication skills and prepare herself for the job market. She started the Level 6 course as planned and completed it successfully in 2020.

It was now time for Kumudu to apply for a Post Study Work Visa and her friend, a fellow student, suggested that she apply on her own as he believed the visa application process to be a straightforward one. He had studied the same courses as Kumudu, applied on his own, and got a visa valid for one year. However, Kumudu decided to seek professional assistance as she believed she was at a disadvantage as she was not well versed with immigration instructions.

From experience, Kumudu knew she could trust Vandana Rai of Immigration Advisers NZ Ltd (IANZ) as the best person to assist her with the visa application. Vandana had earlier helped Kumudu with her first-time student visa application in 2019, and she was already impressed with Vandana’s professionalism and knowledge concerning immigration matters. Therefore, she immediately called Vandana and scheduled an appointment.

Kamudu met Vandana and explained her situation. She further explained how her friend received a visa valid only for one year. Kumudu was worried as her future in New Zealand seemed unclear. She was not confident about what she should do. The pandemic added further stress as New Zealand was considered one of the safest countries to live in during the pandemic, and she was not ready to leave it so soon.

Within minutes Kumudu knew she was in safe hands as Vandana not only explained the existing instructions but assured her that everything would turn out well. Furthermore, Kumudu knew she made the right decision by approaching Vandana yet again about her visa application.

Vandana submitted Kumudu’s visa application. As expected, she received a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter from Immigration New Zealand informing her that she will be granted a visa for only one year as she has not completed both levels the same year or consecutive years.

The PPI allowed Vandana to present a proper response to INZ explaining the circumstances which prevented Kumudu from completing both levels of studies in consecutive years. Vandana advised Kumudu to obtain a letter from her college to support her claims, and she submitted the same to INZ along with the response letter. Vandana requested INZ to consider the circumstances and to grant a 3-year post-study work visa as an exception to instructions. This was an alien concept to Kumudu. However, her confidence in Vandana multiplied when she read the response letter submitted to INZ. Kumudu was highly impressed with Vandana’s abilities and was glad she entrusted her future in Vandana’s capable hands.

Kumudu received an email from IANZ within a few weeks. She was nervous about opening her email as it had just been a few weeks since Vandana had submitted her response to INZ. Kumudu could not believe her eyes when she read that her visa had been approved for three years. She was overjoyed and relieved that her belief in Vandana was not in vain, and as expected, Vandana did not disappoint her.

Conclusion

Immigration instructions may seem simple at face value. However, there is an in-depth complexity that requires proper understanding and interpretation of the instructions. You may believe that making an application on your own will help you save money. Still, the truth is that engaging the services of a competent and experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser will enable you to save your time, money and will grant you the outcome that you desire.

(Name of the client has been changed to protect their privacy)

Disclaimer:

This article does not constitute immigration advice. Individuals need to seek personal advice from a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer to assess their unique situation.

Course changed from higher level to lower level

Sylvia D’Cruz is from India. She belongs to an exceptionally well to do family who wanted her to pursue her higher education by doing top-level courses. Under parental pressure, she enrolled for a Master of Engineering Studies in New Zealand.

As engineering was neither her interest nor aptitude, she struggled with her studies. This misalignment resulted in her showing apparent poor academic progress. The associated stress then led to her having health issues.

Being an intelligent person, she started doing online research to find a solution and came across a video uploaded by our Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser, Vandana Rai. In the YouTube video, the adviser had talked about “How to become a registered teacher in New Zealand. The content of the video covered education pathways leading to “Teaching in NZ?

Sylvia became very motivated by this video as she had always inspired to be a teacher. She had always secretly admired this profession. On sensing an opportunity to herself become a teacher, she thought she now had a purpose in life. She became interested in studying Early Childhood Education, but she was not sure if she can change her course from Engineering to Teaching.

When she contacted Immigration Advisers NZ Ltd., she was low on morale as her poor academic progress in the engineering course had tampered with her confidence and health. She, however scheduled an appointment with Senior Licensed Adviser Vandana Rai and met her to seek clarity and awareness.

During the meeting, Vandana explained all the requirements to apply for the course, alongside explaining the possible concerns an immigration officer may have in her application during the assessment.

Vandana highlighted the concern that the immigration officer would have for discontinuing the qualification, which in her case was a Master’s degree. Likely concern could also be related to her proposed qualification not aligning with her previous studies or work apart from ongoing poor academic progress. In a combination of her circumstances, it was clear that a perception of her not being a genuine and bona fide student could have formed during the assessment of her application.

Sylvia was highly impressed with the way Vandana explained her everything upfront. She decided to place her career in the hands of Vandana based on her belief and confidence that Vandana and her team will be able to handle her case. Once it was done by signing the client agreement she was ready to make all the efforts required to successfully apply for the Teaching qualification.

It took a couple of months for Sylvia to prepare her documents as one of the entry requirements for the course was getting her previous qualification which she completed in India, to be assessed by New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA).

Vandana made every effort to prepare a decision ready onshore student visa application for Sylvia. She anticipated all the possible concerns and requested the necessary supporting documents to be submitted along with the application. Vandana also submitted a detailed cover letter and all the supporting documents when she submitted Sylvia’s onshore student visa application.

Based on the documents and the cover letter submitted, INZ approved the student visa of Sylvia to study Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching Level 7 (ECE). Sylvia was excited and thrilled on receiving the good news and thanked Vandana and her team. It was yet another successful application in the credit score of Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd.

Sylvia has completed her studies this year and is currently on her Post Study Work Visa. She has already received her New Zealand Teacher’s registration. She is now eligible to apply for residence and is waiting for Immigration New Zealand to resume the selection of Expression of Interests (EOI’s).

The Moral of the Story: The students in New Zealand must obtain immigration advice from an experienced and competent Licensed Immigration Adviser. If you are unsure of your current studies, looking for a change in qualification or level of study, looking to change your education provider feel free to email Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

(The name of the client has been changed to protect their privacy)

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute immigration advice. Individuals need to seek personal advice from a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer to assess their unique situation.

Wrong Course Choice Leading to Residence Visa Roadblocks in NZ

Celine had come to New Zealand from India on a student visa. She is married with two young children. Celine intended to study and then find a job during her post-study work visa. She knew that she could fulfill her desire to become a New Zealand resident by getting a skilled job.

Celine completed PG Diploma in Business Administration and fulfilled the criteria to get a three-year post-study work visa. While on her post-study work visa, she was able to secure skilled jobs, but those jobs were not leading to a suitable pathway to residency.

Through her online research, she was aware that Immigration New Zealand’s assessment of resident visa applications was not favourable for her type of employment. Moreover, as Celin was the primary applicant, her partner’s and two dependent children visas depended on her. She started to worry as her post-study work visa neared its expiry date. Things looked bleak for her and her family, and uncertainty loomed large on her face.

Around this time, she started her online research for the best Licensed Immigration Adviser for guidance and came across Vandana Rai’s profile. The 5-star ratings on google coupled with excellent reviews prompted her to establish contact with Immigration Advisers New Zealand (IANZ) team.

Initial Consultation

When Celine first met Vandana, she was an unsure, anxious, and nervous person worried about her future in New Zealand. However, she was able to convey that she was willing to work hard, upskill if necessary and wanted to stay lawfully in New Zealand along with her family.

Vandana Rai discussed with Celine the available options based on her individual skills, qualification, employment and experience. Vandana has a career counselling and psychology background; hence her job advice in the immigration context always caters for her client’s penchant. During her conversation, Vandana soon concluded that Celine being a mother of two young school-going children, had a natural fondness for them. It was also aptly reflected by her regular volunteering for their school activities.

Vandana then suggested to Celine that she pursue a study programme related to Teaching Early Childhood Education. The course could fulfill her long-term plans and also secure a career where she could enjoy and excel. Celine decided to go through the course contents. She realized that the proposed course offered job security and a concrete pathway to residency as it was a registered occupation.

In her meeting sessions, Vandana further advised on what skills and knowledge Celine would gain and how the course would lead to teachers registration in New Zealand.

Getting teachers registration would also qualify Celine for the priority queue list of INZ for assessment of resident visa applications. Moreover, teachers are always in demand around the world. Furthermore, the qualification could give her additional points as it was a level 9 qualification.

Notwithstanding, Celine was apprehensive about whether her decision would convince Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that she was contemplating an entirely new academic stream. Vandana then took on the responsibility of putting across strong advocacy on her behalf in INZ. Her experience and professional competency assisted in demonstrating to INZ that Celine’s intentions were bonafide and she was meeting the requirements of immigration instructions.

Successful Outcome

Due to the strong advocacy and detailed explanation of surrounding circumstances and intentions supported by documentary evidence, the application had a positive outcome.

Celine was highly grateful to the team of IANZ. In her client review, she specifically mentioned that we had provided a prudent option and ensured that all the documentation was up to the mark to ensure a favourable outcome.

She was so thankful to us that she and her family’s lives had turned a new leaf with the potential and comforting certainty for a better and more secure future.

Conclusion: The students in New Zealand must obtain immigration advice from an experienced and competent Licensed Immigration Adviser. If you are unsure of your career and immigration pathway, current studies, looking for a change in qualification or level of study, or education provider feel free to email Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.