Exit Strategy
After some alarmed responses to our first article, we need to clarify that no, we have not left the U.S. yet. To state the obvious, the process of moving to a foreign country takes a while, and we wanted to announce our move with enough time to schedule a few farewell events. Mom’s last day of work will be at the end of September 2025, and we plan to buy airline tickets as soon as we receive our visas.
While each of the following steps could be its own article (and probably will be for those interested in making such a move), here are the basic steps we have accomplished.
February 11, 2025: Create a profile with EPIC and upload all of Mom’s credentials for verification. This 3rd party service confirms that physicians are the “real deal,” source-checking documents from any country. This is required for MCNZ registration (see below.)
March 1, 2025: Submit the first job application. It’s easy to find job postings and apply directly on Kiwi Health Jobs. Just be sure to search for the right spelling… there are no anesthesiologists in New Zealand, only anaesthetists!
March 19, 2025: Apply for registration with the Medical College of New Zealand (MCNZ.) This is kind of like getting a license to practice to medicine. This application is first processed by the MCNZ and then sent to the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) which ultimately determines eligibility to practice anesthesia.
March 20, 2025: Participate in first virtual interview.
April 6, 2025: Receive first job offer!
April 14, 2025: MCNZ sent application to ANZCA for formal advice.
May 15-26, 2025: Never having been to NZ 😱, Dad and Mom took a quick trip to visit the people and places where we had job offers. Fortunately we also discovered that we loved New Zealand and all four of the positions… it was agonizing to decide on one and then decline three awesome options.
June 9, 2025: ANZCA confirms Mom’s eligibility to register with MCNZ. This letter is required for our visa application.
June 28, 2025: Travel to Seattle to receive medical exams from an approved panel physician. In addition to physical exams and hearing & vision checks, Mom and Dad received chest X rays and blood work. The panel physician then gave each of us an NZER number for our visa application.
July 7, 2025: Submit application for Straight to Residence Visa, which also required an FBI background check from Mom and Dad.
Up next: packing our belongings into a 40 ft shipping container, selling our house and other worldly possessions, and finding an AirBnb for our remaining weeks when our house sells. 😅
Thank you for sharing your story about your move to New Zealand. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit, ever since I had two pen pals from there in my childhood. I wish you every bit of happiness on this amazing journey.
Rachel and I loved it there! We met a wildlife photographer (Rob Pine) over there and stayed in touch via facebook. Apparently he was/is a big deal in parachuting over there.
Cheers to your new adventures! 🍻🥂