If I can help

[Zemanova]

I have been to NZ 3 times in the last 7 years and I am emmigrating there early next year under the Family Quota scheme. While I am still looking for a great deal of information and advice, if I can help answer any questions about holidaying or emmigrating, please drop me a line. I also work with 2 NZ guys so I have a backup pool of advice.

Dave

Hi well where do i start am also hoping to emmigrate to NZ next year and do not understand any of the immigration (am i just thick). I think i will get accepted as i am a registered nurse in the ER but am wanting to take my hubby (who is not really qualified in anything and two kids) can they get in purely because of me

Hi Lozza,
No, you're not thick! Immigration isnt an easy process by a long shot! Your partner and kids will be able to come with you on your application, you being the principle applicant, so dont worry :)

Hey Zemanova

Sounds like we're in a similar position with the Family Quota thing. Have you started your application yet? We're going early Feb - got the flight booked - that's as far as we've got!

Are you planning to leave it until 3 months before you go (because of the medical certificate) before you start the application?

Seems all a bit last minute to me!

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

Ah, the penny drops...

...TOTALLY misunderstood the time requirements...

best pull my finger out then!

Dave, I'll have to shout you a cold one when we get there!

[quote:5fa3c05dab="Zemanova"]Hi Stu

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.

Cheers

Dave[/quote:5fa3c05dab]

I wondered what information you provided to prove you and your partner's relationship?

Doug

Hi Doug

NZIS will accept a variety of documents. In our case we produced copies of a mortgage offer and mortgage statement in our joint names. Bank statements regarding our joint account were also submitted as well as utility bills. I also included a couple of photos of the pair of us taken a few years earlier. These can be compared with passport photos. Having been to NZ on previous occasions with my partner, I also submitted expired passports which had entry and exit stamps for NZ with the same dates. If you do not have such documents, statements from friends or relatives confirming you have been together for the required period, will also be accepted.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you require any further info.

Dave

Interestingly enough, NZIS have been known to accept home videos too. I know a Kiwi who's partner was English, and they didn't really have the joint bank account etc (which is always cast iron proof to them at least), so they submitted a pile of video tapes of them on holiday together, and that seemed to do the trick. Apparently a letter outlining your intentions in regards to your relationship is helpful too. Okay, it's not official evidence, but it can't hurt to tug at the heart strings - immigration officers are human too!

Hi Zemanova,
Please could you explain how the Family Quota thing works?
Many thanks, in anticipation