We're Invited!

We finally got our Invitation to Apply - yeah!!! Under NZ's immigration system, if you want to move here you start by sending them an "Expression of Interest." You fill out an online form with information about who you are, how much schooling you have, what your work history is, and if you already have any connections to Middle Earth. You get points for going to school, having work experience, etc. If you have enough points (it only takes 100 points these days), your EOI is selected for "verification." Once NZIS has had a chance to "verify" the information in your EOI, they send you an Invitation to Apply.

This is essentially a print out of your EOI and a request that you send them documents supporting every statement you made in it. Lord only knows what they've been "verifying" for the last 5-1/2 months. (NZIS's website says the verification process will take 2-4 weeks. Either we were a very special case or they woefully understimated their average time frame (this is all part of a new immigration scheme introduced early last year). Or both, I guess.)

We already had most of the information they need, e.g., birth certificates, passports, academic transcripts, etc. But there's a few bits and pieces we still need to track down, so it will be a couple weeks until we can submit our application. The process isn't supposed to take too long after that, since our information's already been "verified."

Whenever I get frustrated, Ali reminds me how lucky I am that I never had to deal with the I.N.S. I know he's right and thank my lucky stars.

Cheers,
Sandie