The Pond has announced a new immigration service for client and talent with the hire of Fiona O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan is a licensed immigration consultant who has been assisting The Pond’s clients and candidates with their immigration needs since the beginning of the year.
She’s helped legally secure permanent roles for packaging designers from France, account managers from the United Kingdom and supported various other agencies on various other immigration-related employment issues along the way.
The Pond’s director Leighton Howl says it has been seeing more and more top talent arriving in New Zealand on the hunt for work in the creative, digital and marketing industries.
“The majority need support so they can stay long-term – whether that’s around sponsorship or advice around work visas.”
With skill and experience shortages in areas such as digital development, packaging design and UX, the influx of talent is welcome. What companies aren’t nearly as keen on, however, is entering the often drawn-out process of legally matching skilled migrants to the roles where they’re needed.
O’Sullivan says it will be her role to take this hassle off people’s hands.
“Candidates often need advice because they’re not sure which visa pathway best suits their long-term plans and whether they meet the relevant criteria,” she says.
“And the employer also has to meet obligations from an immigration and employment law perspective. I can assist both sides throughout the process.”
Enrolled as a Solicitor with the Law Society of Ireland and as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, O’Sullivan also holds a full licence with the Immigration Advisers Authority.
“I’ll advise both employees and employers about their best option – whether that’s a Work to Residence Visa, or applying for an Essential Skills Visa or Skilled Migrant Visa,” O’Sullivan says.
“I can also organise visas for partners and children. I’ll explain the application requirements and I’ll interact directly with Immigration New Zealand on behalf of both the employee and employer.”
And that dreaded, drawn-out process? “Once all the documentation is provided, my aim is to have the application lodged within two weeks,” she says.
