[Sam'n'Kelv]

We have a question that we are almost too embarrassed to ask and which we feel we ought to know the answer to. However, we have searched all of our paperwork and through the forum board for an answer, and we're still not sure, so here goes:

Our passports now include the blue Residence Visa stickers. Our case officer says that on arrival in NZ we will be granted Residence Permits which will entitle us to live, work and study in New Zealand. Does this mean we have been granted permanent residence?

Someone, somewhere said something about 18a restrictions? We cannot read anything about this in any of our paperwork but wondered if this was something that applied to everyone. We're far too embarrassed to ask our case officer, so hope someone can tell us the answer.

Yours thickly...

[Trigirl]

yes it does mean youve been granted permanent residence.

well done :clap :clap

s18a conditions only apply to people who have job offers that they use for extra points - and not even always then. if you have a s18a condition it will say so on your blue sticker. if it doesn't say so then you haven't got one :)

[Trigirl]

you probably already know this anyway - but in case you don't

the first sticker (residence visa) allows you to enter NZ once. when you enter your passport will be stamped with a residence permit that allows you to live and work in NZ. the second sticker is your returning residence visa (RRV). this allows you to re-enter NZ as many times as you like in the first two years after you arrive. once the two years is up you have to apply for another one of these. the next RRV you get granted might be valid indefinitely if you've lived in NZ for enough of those first two years. otherwise it might be time limited again.

[nippa&pippa]

For your or others' info if your had got 18A section, it will tell you on sticker by saying 'holder must take up offer of employments within 3 months of the grant of the first residence permit and remain in that employment for a period of at least 3 months' Then after 3 months, you have to get a letter from your employer in NZ to prove that you work for them from this date you start work to 3 months later and plus wages slip from first date and last wages slip prove you are been paid tax with your passport(s) and give to NZIS local branch to remove section 18A to stay in NZ indefinitely. You will get TWO new blue stickers, one for PR and RRV (as old RRV contain section 18A on it too!!)
hth

[zardell]

Sounds like you've been granted PR to me !!! :raebanana

Are you getting confused with the difference between to a 'visa' and a 'permit' ?

Just in case you are, a visa allows you entry to NZ. If you hold a UK passport and were just coming to NZ for a holiday, you would not need a visa.

Once you get to the immigration at the airport, your arrival is stamped into your passport and your visa magically turns into a permit.

This permit allows you to live and work in New Zealand.

In some countries of origin (not the UK) you need a visa just to visit NZ.

Also, have a look at your covering letter from NZIS. It should say something to the effect of - Congratulations. Your application for residency has been successful.

Hope this helps,

Julie

xx

[Sam'n'Kelv]

Guys, thanks for all your answers. I knew I would get a nice straightforward answer if I came here...

I'm now much clearer on the whole thing.

Many thanks

[suebeenz]

For your or others' info if your had got 18A section, it will tell you on sticker by saying 'holder must take up offer of employments within 3 months of the grant of the first residence permit and remain in that employment for a period of at least 3 months' Then after 3 months, you have to get a letter from your employer in NZ to prove that you work for them from this date you start work to 3 months later and plus wages slip from first date and last wages slip prove you are been paid tax with your passport(s) and give to NZIS local branch to remove section 18A to stay in NZ indefinitely. You will get TWO new blue stickers, one for PR and RRV (as old RRV contain section 18A on it too!!)
hth

Hmm, worries me a bit here. I don't have a job in NZ, and not sure that I plan to - I work for an overseas company. Anybody know the odds that they'll put such a restriction on my application? I'm guessing not since it sounds like there are several people in the same boat that I'm in (and hopefully no rib-crushing dolphins jumping in).

Also, had a question about IRRV.

i have checked out this website:
http://www.tarrant.co.nz/residenc/returnin.htm

and by the sounds of this, it sounds like the '2 year clock' to apply for IRRV starts once you come to NZ, and not necessarily once you've received PR. So my case, I've been in NZ for almost a year, but still no PR. Assuming I'm granted PR soon, then that means just one more year and I can apply for IRRV? Or do I have to wait for the "RRV" to expire before applying (which I understand lasts 2 years)

My appologies if this has been covered elsewhere.


Thanks! :raebanana

[Trigirl]

s18 only applies to people who use points from a job offer to get enough points for PR. as you aren't planning on getting a job that wont apply to you.

you can apply for an IRRV 2 years after you first held a residence permit. coming to live in NZ and holding a residence permit are not the same thing. eg if you come to NZ on a work visa then you hold a work permit not a residence permit. i assume if you don't have PR then you dont hold a residence permit yet. once you get PR you'll get a residence permit and then 2 years later you can apply for your IRRV.