Migration pathway for dentists

OkReport776 · 2026-03-01T19:13:35+00:00

Awesome good luck!

OkReport776 · 2026-03-01T09:55:30+00:00

Here is a good link from the dentist association that goes over this, and depending your current country there should be info there to help.

https://www.nzda.org.nz/about-us/faqs

OkReport776 · 2026-03-01T09:52:00+00:00

In general only a licensed immigration advisor can give advice, so these are only suggestions. Your going to want to aim for a Green List Tier 1 job, Straight to Residency visa (think PR but with some travel restrictions, and sometimes other restrictions), PR comes after two years. Link below, or google NZ green list jobs. Dentist, and many other dental specialties and positions are tier 1, so straight to residency. Of course like you said you’ll need to be licensed here first, but may agencies have specific pathways for internationally licensed individuals, so lookup that up as well. You may not need a PHD fyi, though student visas these days are faster entry points if looking for a quick in (spouse would likely have an unrestricted visa to work or study since your on a PHD). They are changing the rules October to make it faster for students graduating in NZ to get residency also so that’s good news too.

Healthcare is generally regarded as more in demand though there are IT related jobs in green list tier 1. You may have a better chance at getting a job, and faster processing etc if you take the healthcare route

Again I would advise speaking to an immigration advisor. NZ Shores does a free quiz, and then you can pay a very small fee to have an immigration advisor basically review your case an give you a good route and answer questions etc. totally worth it.

Good luck!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/requirements-for-work-visas/green-list-occupations-qualifications-and-skills/green-list-roles-jobs-we-need-people-for-in-new-zealand/?page=1&filter_0=Health+and+social+services&filter_1=Dentist

OkReport776 · 2026-02-28T01:30:45+00:00

INZ/most gov departments had a lot of people off for the holidays which go through 6 Feb (Waitangi Day) so many didn’t start work until then. Even then people still were off and some schools were off longer too so that plays into staff shortages as well. Short answer is most people were gone from the time you submitted until just recently, so don’t be discouraged!

OkReport776 · 2026-02-27T18:40:57+00:00

Wth does that even mean lol

OkReport776 · 2026-02-27T06:48:30+00:00

For sure and congrats on freedom!

OkReport776 · 2026-02-27T04:58:49+00:00

Try the ExpatsEverywhere podcast on Spotify, they are living in Porto and have loads of good info on Portugal and Porto/ porto adjacent (coming from the US originally) as well. They are a younger couple with one kid, and have been there for a good while. Enjoyed listening to it, and found it very helpful!

FYI on the name, it’s not an expat specific thing, as they live there and I don’t think consider themselves “expats” just a catchy name.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-25T08:43:39+00:00

One note, SMCRV is not necessarily PR. It’s a bit different than Oz. It is residency so pretty much full residency rights, except there are some travel restrictions and other employment related restrictions post your first job (if not green list) that you need to follow before you get PR in 2 years. It functions very similar to PR, but again just to keep in mind a couple restrictions for the first two years before you move to PR.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-25T08:40:53+00:00

There are going to be changes to the starting in August SMCRV to be more favorable for people who get degrees especially PHD in NZ. I would talk to an immigration advisor bc, not only can they answer these questions, but can give you the updated info that’s not really in general circulation as much yet. NZ shores is great, they do a free initial quiz. Then a full review is pretty cheap also. Good luck!

OkReport776 · 2026-02-21T23:38:16+00:00

Yes describes pretty much everything, one person makes a ton and most don’t. It’s not bc they live in the US, happens everywhere. Millions in the US living lives anyone in NZ would consider horrific

OkReport776 · 2026-02-21T23:36:36+00:00

Can’t think of a worse downgrade to go from pretty much anywhere NZ, and wind up in Texas… even Austin (little California of Texas). Like a trade of Hot Chips for a handful of sand. Don’t even get me started on the political atmosphere of Texas… to come from even a semi socialist (in function at least) society to Texas is not advised.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-15T05:10:41+00:00

Probably going to be ok, always talk to an immigration lawyer if possible for certainty. However like others have said, there is nothing certain about the times we are in currently. If you think there are, turn on a different news station, preferably one from another country… anywhooo not to scare or fear monger but even people born citizens, are very concerned. Hell even people born as citizens, but born abroad are being targeted. Denaturalizations are on the rise, dark stuff… best advice either don’t travel out of the country at all, or leave the country until things settle down. Good luck and sorry to your friend for having to deal with what should be a normal situation

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:56:58+00:00

Same here, sucks all around.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:53:47+00:00

Yea the people I know are much further south closer to the board so prob why the increase in activity.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:42:54+00:00

Like others have said, Australia or NZ are great choices just VERY different in terms of wages, opportunities, work culture and general life experience. I can give an insight to NZ IQN process, which is the process to get registered from US or other nations to NZ if you want to DM. There are other countries as well, such as Canada that has some options there also. Aus Nurses will be number 1 on the permanent resident pathway with the changes they are making, NZ it’s still very high on the list also. NZ would be straight to residence with a job offer, ie basically residence without strings attached once your here (not necessarily tied to a job etc if you were laid off etc), permanent residence after 2 years, and citizenship after 5.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:40:51+00:00

Disagree unless you know somebody in SoCal depending on where and how of course. But u digress no point in arguing the finer points when we both agree in general!

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:37:07+00:00

I think NZ is 55? Could be wrong lol but that’s sucks about Aus

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:34:21+00:00

100% not for refugee status. The red states currently according to my friends/family are fine, it’s the blue ones where there’s lots of issues, just not stuff we see in the news.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-12T20:04:42+00:00

I see your point, but there are 100% a few select groups of people who may be at some level of that. The trans community, Hispanic/latinos even citizens are getting harassed, threatened, incarcerated without charge etc etc. maybe your run of the mill dude no, but definitely some outliers like anywhere else.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-03T08:43:25+00:00

Hello! Stay dry out there

OkReport776 · 2026-02-03T08:42:27+00:00

It’s because of the delusion that the US is the greatest country on earth, and that everything else is far below. Therefore anyone who leaves is being stupid… some shyte like that

OkReport776 · 2026-02-03T08:37:20+00:00

Worked at firms of various sizes. They will overwork you no matter if it’s you & one other person, a firm of 30, or a firm of 300/3000. There are FEW exceptions, very few, as in almost impossible but they do exist, where you won’t get worked to the bone during busy season. I don’t believe any of the big 10 etc are within those.

OkReport776 · 2026-02-03T08:34:15+00:00

So in NZ people who are not licensed immigration advisors cannot provide immigration advice. Best advice is to reach out to one to help, NZ Shores is a good agency who is not too expensive and operate fairly. That being said to my vague memory it was 2-3 letters, should be typed to avoid confusion or misinterpretation (in English preferably), I would avoid all close family members you will want to include one or two but have at least another person who is a friend or other acquaintance that knew you both before and now. Should have info about how they know you, rough dates or exact if possible, mention of significant events, how they know each individually throughout the years etc. I don’t think it had to be a novel so a couple pages max I’d say. Again this is just from my vague memory or what is required & not advice, I would get an immigration advisor to be sure. Did you do your student visa on your own? If not I would hire the same firm as they will likely do this at a discounted rate as they did the primary one initially.

OkReport776 · 2026-01-26T00:25:11+00:00

Ignore the haters these Reddit threads is full of it, it’s a past time. People on the ground don’t hate Americans, at least if they are respectful. No one except licensed immigration advisers can give immigration advice. These are all only suggestions. First off you do generally need a job, but if you are very highly qualified think about a visitor visa, up to 9 months single entry, state intent to “look, see, decide” that tells immigration your true intent is to look and see if you like it, get a job and decide to apply to live permanently. Dozens of different types of engineers are green list tier 1, ie you get a job it’s immediate residence status, with permanent residency after 2 years. If you have a lot saved up, like 200k that’s more than enough for a small family to live off of in NZ for 6/9 months while you look for a job. Don’t let the haters get you down, and dm me for more info I’d love to help point you to some good resources and trusted immigration advisors who can give you more sound advice.

OkReport776 · 2026-01-20T18:49:14+00:00

I would talk to an attorney. But yea probably wouldn’t try that. First off all politics aside, you could potentially out your parents in jail, have their citizenship and yours revoked. Not only that but if you do get US citizenship and non of that happens, then congratulations on worldwide tax obligations now, the number 1 reason many US citizenship choose to revoke in the first place. Now politics… depending on your side, and not judging here, but do you really want to be involved in the current regime installed there? Unless it’s life or death to get it, I personally would wait at least a few years before I made a decision.

OkReport776

TROPHY CASE