First entry after getting visa

[carlem]

Hi there,

My wife and I are just starting off on our Skilled Migrant application so I still have a number of questions regarding the whole process. Hopefully this will be a simple one!

After you receive your visa I believe you have 12 months to arrive in New Zealand. My question is this: Is it possible to get your visa say in July 2005 giving you until July 2006 to arrive in New Zealand. But instead of moving over permanently before July 2006 just visit the country for a short holiday between those 2 dates to validate the visa and then arrive permanently in say October 2006?

Hopefully this makes sense.

Mike

Hi,
Yes, thats possible. Once you arrive in NZ, you will have to apply for a returning residents visa, allowing you to re-enter NZ and retain your residency. However, there are a few factors that could affect this. If you have a job, you must remain in it for a minimum of 3 months. If you dont have a job, they may expect you to find one as part of the terms of granting the residence visa in the first place. Either way, a short holiday may well have to be at least a few months.

So it basically boils down to the terms of your visa. If residency is granted without conditions, then you should be free to do as you wish.