Experience with NZ visas? Esp Silver Fern Job Search Wok Visa

[norabird]

Hi all! I'm thinking of applying for the Silver Fern Job Search visa in NZ next year--meant for skilled migrants without a job offer, under 35. I technically have a skill (an editor), though I suspect they are more interested in technical talents. There are only 300, so it's a longshot, but I figure applying wouldn't hurt. Just curious if anyone here has experience with this visa, other NZ visas, or other visa application  processes.

Here's the specific info on this program if you're curious! https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/silver-fern-job-search-work-visa.

It looks like partners don't get to tag along--BF would probably do the working holiday thing if I got this (he's not 29 yet), and then we would try to switch his visa/apply for another for him once there. Or we'd pack up and go home I guess! Not quite sure. Just thinking about the options.

[newstache]

Great Idea!
My wife and I just returned from NZ after 3.5 years.
We also applied for the silver fern visa but it is very very hard to get. Give it a shot but most likely will not happen.
This is what we did. we did not get the silver fern visa so we applied for working holiday visa and were approved quickly.
a little background. we were both under 30 married college educated no kids and no health issues.
After arriving we both quickly found work related to our education and work experience. we decided on Wellington NZ the capital.
our working holiday visa was about to expire so we applied for residency. The problem was that the residency application could take up to 6mo! so we quickly applied for a work visa at the same time. our work visa was approved through my job because it was on the shortage list and my wife was able to apply with me.
The work visa only took a few days! but that was unexpected. it allowed me to work at my current employer and my wife could work anywhere.
a few weeks later we received our acceptance for residency! this was great because it meant that I had the option to work anywhere and stay as long as we would like.
we stayed another 2 years after receiving residency which made us able to apply for permeate residency which we have now.
with our permeate residency we are able to travel back to NZ whenever we want and have the right to work plus the health care system so its great news.

We are from the USA. Minnesota. we traveled from July 2012-Feb 2016.
I highly recommend giving it a shot!
good luck and let me know if you have any other questions or need clarification on something.

[norabird]

Thanks newstache! Unfortunately I'm too aged for a working holiday, so I think silver fern is my main chance (I've looked around job boards for my industry and there's...not much). Have a job alert set up with Seek, so I'll try anything that comes up. But it's good to know you recommend going there!

[newstache]

Try this site as well.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/jobs
also a great place to buy and sell everything you may need while there.