19 Nov 2008 - The judgement day

Both my wife and I applied leave and we prepared for this interview whole week. We tried to prepare many answers to the questionnaires sent by my CO. For example, how you think you can find a job in NZ, why you choose NZ etc…. the clock was ticking towards 2 pm and I started to feel unrest. OMG, it has been quite a long time I have this kind of feeling…you know, the feeling of waiting an important call (my last experience of this kind of feeling when I was trying to date a girl in high school Hahaha) RING!!! The phone rang and my adrenaline started to pump …

The first question CO thrown at me was that she noticed I have a MBA awarded by Australia University, why I chose NZ instead of Aussie kakaka I just told her the truth, of course, in the beginning, I was browsing the Aussie immigration website and I noticed there was an ads about NZ immigration (business world is all about competition…but even in immigration industry?) After I had read the NZ ads, I found out that is the place I want my child to grow up. A peaceful, open minded, family oriented and multi cultural society. I know they might feel boring living in NZ when they are 20s and finishing their college but that is their own destiny (who knows NZ might be an exciting place 20 years later). I just need to provide them a good nurturing environment.

The interview went quite smoothly and most of the questions were quite related how I could settle down easier in NZ. Of course, I have friends there who could help me to find accommodation and the local network. CO said she would reply me about the result and we have to wait again

3 Nov 2008 - Call To ARM!

WOAH! Finally I got an answer from my CO in Shanghai after all these months have passed. I have a new and fantastic job. I thought my case wasn’t successful because no reply from my CO. CO will interview me on 19 Nov by calling my cell phone.

25 April 2008 - Case officer assigned

A letter sent by NZIS notified me that who was my case officer (CO) in Shanghai. Crossing my finger to get my case reviewed.

9 Jan 2008 - ITA lodged!

Finally, the ITA was lodged and sent over to NZIS today. It took almost 2 full months to prepare all the documents. The steps that stopped me most was the medical checkup. Make sure you bring 3 photos and passports when going to the Hospital. If you have any "NO" in the medical form, even it was a small matter, you better prepared a report from your doctor-in-charge before going to the medical checkup, they will need it.

I believed most people are interested at how much I have spent for this (Below is for Malaysian perspective. Other countries will cost differently). 

Fees can break down to:

1. NZ$300 for the EOI fee ~RM800
2. RM50 to send over my supporting documents to get my EOI points claimed valid thru FedEx
3. RM160 for translating my wife and 2 kids birth certs and married cert
4. RM40 for the police report
5. RM550 for the medical report
6. RM160 to get all the documents certified
7. RM150 for my daughter passport
8. USD1400 ITA process fee ~RM4634
9. RM260 for sending the ALL documents to NZIS in Shanghai thru UPS
10 RM100 for all the transport fee

Total: RM6915 

This does not include the Immigration levy fee yet, if the ITA approved.