[nellyt]

Had interview yesterday at 11:30 and heard back by 5:30 that that we'd got a residence visa! (Double checking at NZIS etc all completed in the afternoon.-wow)

We've been given the option of getting the stickers now or being given an "approved in principal" letter valid for 6 month and getting the stickers when we want. The stickers will be dated the day they are put in, therefore giving us a long window to move..
We do not need them just yet (still looking for jobs) and may have to visit for interviews before finally going but his could be a few weeks or months away.
We would want to be moving this year.

The question is what is the best thing to do? and what are the effects/advantages/disadvantages of entering for a couple of weeks on a visitors visa rather than a residence visa. Are there tax implications?
Any thoughts?

Thanks

[zardell]

Had interview yesterday at 11:30 and heard back by 5:30 that that we'd got a residence visa! (Double checking at NZIS etc all completed in the afternoon.-wow)


The question is what is the best thing to do? and what are the effects/advantages/disadvantages of entering for a couple of weeks on a visitors visa rather than a residence visa. Are there tax implications?
Any thoughts?

Thanks



First of all..........

:raebanana ...CONGRATULATIONS...:raebanana


May I ask where you are living at the moment??

I can only answer your question from a UK perspective, but as I understand it, you will have 6 months to get the blue stickers in the passports and then up to another 12 months to activate them (in other words, step on NZ soil).

I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't use your residence visas to do your recce trip, because you also get an RRV valid for 2 years which is a Returning Residents Visa which is exactly what it says it is - it allows NZ residents to come and go as they wish.

You must of course bear in mind that you have to spend a minimum of 6 months in NZ per year for the first 2 years before your RRV will be changed to a IRRV - Indefinite Returning Residents Visa.

At least, I think I've got that right..........:laugh

Julie

xx

[Andy-Dee]

We heard about this option through Marcia and Zardell and have taken advantage of it due to the fact we need to sell our house.

That extra 6 months takes some of the pressure off - there may be someone along soon who can tell you what the turnaround time is for getting the stickers in the passport when you need them.

Congratulations by the way :raebanana :raebanana

[Debbie]

Can't help you with the tax stuff but something to consider, If you enter on your PR visa then you start the clock for citizenship and being able to sponsor relatives. Also comming and going on a visitors visa might seem a bit weird when you are entitled to do the same on your PR visa. If you are planning on moving over within the yr I cant see what you might gain by using a visitors visa other than a few mths tax advantage possibly?.
Debbie

[eternalkiwi]

The IRDs website provides the following information on NZ Tax Residency.

You’re a New Zealand tax resident if:
• you’re in New Zealand for more than 183 days in any 12-month
period, or
• you have an “enduring relationship” with New Zealand (see below), or
• you’re away from New Zealand in the service of the New Zealand
Government.
The 183 days don’t have to follow each other and if you’re in New
Zealand for only part of a day, it is counted as being a whole day. This
means that the days on which you depart or arrive are treated as “days
present” in New Zealand.

An enduring relationship with New Zealand
The Income Tax Act 2004 says that a person, other than a company, who
has a “permanent place of abode” in New Zealand is a New Zealand tax
resident. “Permanent place of abode” means more than just the building
you live in , it covers all your ties and links with New Zealand. These
may be social, physical, economic or personal. Overall, the test could be
described as whether you have an enduring relationship with
New Zealand.

[nellyt]

Thanks for the replies.
- Yes we are in UK at present
- NZIS lady on my interview said passports were being turned round in about 2 days persent (normally 2 wks)
- the point about starting the clock ticking for citizen and sponsoring parents is a good one (some of them are getting quite upset)
- 183 days: its this 183 day rule that confuses me. I would have tought that it would mean that you were a tax resident for the year April-April if you were in the country for >183 days in THAT tax year, but it talks about "any 12 month period" which makes it sound as if it is entirely rolling. Yet I dont think it clearly describes on what precise day you start paying NZ tax and stop paying UK tax.

[Croft]

You must of course bear in mind that you have to spend a minimum of 6 months in NZ per year for the first 2 years before your RRV will be changed to a IRRV - Indefinite Returning Residents Visa.

Just to also make it clear, if for some reason you aren't in the country for long enough during those 2 years to get an IRRV they may issue to another 2 year RRV, or if you don't fill that criteria either, a 'catch all' 2 week RRV. They also allow for exceptional circumstances where, for example, you can make a special application for a RRV that would last longer than the catch all 2 week RRV.

Just because your RRV runs out doesn't mean you have to leave NZ, it just means until you get another RRV, in whatever flavour, you can't return to NZ on your PR if you leave.

[zardell]

Just to also make it clear, if for some reason you aren't in the country for long enough during those 2 years to get an IRRV they may issue to another 2 year RRV, or if you don't fill that criteria either, a 'catch all' 2 week RRV. They also allow for exceptional circumstances where, for example, you can make a special application for a RRV that would last longer than the catch all 2 week RRV.

Just because your RRV runs out doesn't mean you have to leave NZ, it just means until you get another RRV, in whatever flavour, you can't return to NZ on your PR if you leave.


Good point Croft - thanks...........:nice1

Julie

xx