How do you know when it's time to move on from New Zealand?
Picture this:
You pack up, sell all your things in your home country, and move to New Zealand. Fast forward a year, you've gotten into a routine, settled into your new job, found a place to live and have made a few friends. But something doesn't feel right, and it's more than just a bout of homesickness. The way of life here is not what you expected, nor is it what you want for yourself and your family. It just doesn't feel right. After a lot of consideration, you and your family decide to move back home.
On the flip side of this scenario are those who have moved to New Zealand, love it here, but are having trouble with their work and visa situation. For whatever reason, they don't qualify for further work visas or residence. In this case, individuals and their families have no other choice but to leave the country.
Both scenarios are a lot more common than one would think. In a previous blog post, we touched on things to consider when deciding if New Zealand is right for you.
In this blog post, we highlight five essential questions to ask when you're unsure about whether to stay in or move on from New Zealand.
1. Are you eligible to live and work in New Zealand permanently on a Residence Visa?
Your visa status is a key factor in determining whether you can live and work in New Zealand temporarily or permanently. For some people, staying in New Zealand might no longer be possible if they are no longer eligible for a further work visa or residence visa, and there are no other visa pathways available to them. If you fall into this category, you will need to plan for a future outside New Zealand.
2. Do you have a better quality of life in New Zealand compared to your home country?
A family friend from Vietnam came to New Zealand as an international student, studying graphic design. After graduating, he worked for two years at a local design studio, often putting in long hours and exceeding his duties. He aimed to gain residence and worked hard to impress his employers. However, he eventually collapsed from exhaustion at work and realised that what he truly wanted was to return to Vietnam to be closer to family and friends.
His quality of life in New Zealand wasn't as wonderful as he had envisioned. After investing three years into his studies and landing an entry-level design position with a studio, he found himself on a low salary, living in a cramped apartment with a flatmate, and working himself to exhaustion to prove himself. He chose to return to Vietnam, where, within three months of being home, he set up his design studio and hired designers to work in his company, which continues to thrive today.
The moral of this story is New Zealand isn't the land of milk and honey for everyone. Many migrants who choose to return home can use their New Zealand work experience to start successful businesses or further their careers.
Perhaps you've spent a long time in New Zealand and are finding it hard to make ends meet, secure better jobs, or are facing financial, mental, and emotional challenges. If so, it might be time to stop and consider: Could you improve your situation in your home country? And are you much happier and more fulfilled there?
3. Can you grow your career in New Zealand?
For most migrants, career opportunities are a significant factor in their decision to move to New Zealand. However, while there are many opportunities in New Zealand, some professions have greater scope for growth and development elsewhere.
Some clients move to New Zealand, accepting lower pay to enjoy the lifestyle, but after a few months, they realise they need a higher salary to maintain their desired standard of living. Eventually, they receive better job offers abroad and decide to leave.
If building your career is important to you, but you feel like opportunities are limited or stagnant in New Zealand, it might be time to consider other horizons.
4. Can you envision your future in New Zealand?
Oftentimes, it all boils down to a straightforward question: Do you envision your future in New Zealand?
If your answer is shrouded in confusion and uncertainty...That could be a red flag and a sign to hit pause and think about where you see yourself and your family in the near or distant future. Perhaps, New Zealand is more of a milestone to your forever home rather than the final destination.
One way of considering whether it's the right place for you is to think about your personal, career, and financial goals, as well as those of your family. Are you each able to achieve them (or most) in New Zealand in the future? Will being in New Zealand open up doors for you and your family in the future?
5. Will staying in New Zealand cost you more than what you're prepared to invest financially, emotionally and mentally?
We have had clients who love New Zealand, have invested a lot of money, time, and effort in coming here, and want to remain permanently. However, their work and visa situation has made it impossible for them to do so. Often, they no longer meet the work or residence visa requirements, and there are no other pathways available to them. Sometimes, it's a family member who doesn't meet the criteria, and they're faced with the difficult choice of either living apart or returning to their home country together.
When all your visa options have run out, and it feels like you've hit roadblock after roadblock and your immigration journey has caused you financial, emotional and mental strain, it could be time to draw a line in the sand and say 'enough is enough'. New Zealand might not be the place for you, regardless of how much you love it here.
These are all tough questions to consider, especially if you've invested a lot of time, money, and effort into moving to New Zealand. Unfortunately, the reality is that New Zealand isn't for everyone, and sometimes, staying here might cost you more than you're willing to pay. It might feel like giving up or 'a waste,' but your time in New Zealand could be a stepping stone to a better future elsewhere. Honest self-reflection can help you find the right path for you and your family.
