Hi Stu

We am hoping to go in May of next year. We had the medical and police check some time ago and my understanding is that the medical must have been no more than 3 months old at the time of submitting the application.

Our application was approved in February of this year and when we received the notification from NZ House we were given 6 months to pay the migrant levy (?100) and send our passports to be stamped for the residents visa. We then have 12 months from the date stamp to arrive in NZ. So in theory we have until mid-June next year to arrive in NZ.

Certainly if you plan to go in Ferbruary next year I would get your medical and police check done asap. Your application should be submitted as soon as you get the results because it can take 6 months to get your application approved. It took 6 months for us and this included taking all the documentation to NZ House in London. The only delay we had was the need to provide additional information regarding the long termness of the relationship with my partner, who is only my common-law-wife.

So my advice is do not delay. The 3 month medical rule only applies to submission of the application.

If you have any other questions please contact me.

Cheers

Dave