[CjChris]

Well, finally, I've heard something from NZIS. I got a letter stating that they need more information regarding three people on my application:

letter explaining more about daughter's migrain headaches
another urinalysis on my other daughter
re-draw blood cholesterol levels for my OH (he has to eat vegan for the next two weeks to get it down!!)

This must be submitted to London office by June 1 so my application can be evaluated (no mention of NZQA--maybe they got this already?)

So...trying not to go in panic mode here.

I'm wondering if I need to use special forms for the re-test of my daughter's urine and OH's blood work with a copy of passport photo, etc?? Should I use the page for this from the medical booklet? Or are doctor's lab sheets enough?

Has anyone had to retest? What did you do?

Thanks!

Christine

[CjChris]

I finally realized we have a case officer!! The medical inquiry was signed by Ricky Clarkson.

Although I have heard nothing from NZQA or teachers council, he did not mention that these are not in my file :confused:

He only mentioned that I need to have the three items named (in the above post) by June 1 or my application would be considered as it is.

I wonder if I should write or call to ask him if he has received my full assessment and teachers council cert? If he considers my application without those, that means I fail! YIKES! :wah

Surely NZQA and teachers council would have sent me copies if he already has copies?? It's all confusing.

[kanatakiwi]

dont know the answer to your queries but just a tip on the cholesterol levels, my friends levels came back very high and had to be retested, it turned out she had been become a bit of a baileys afficionado (coffee and cream liquor) once she cut that out, her levels went back to normal almost immediately. It was the cream! so in addition to the vegan, think LOW fat!
G

[Toto]

I had to be re-tested so had to get another copy of the tests part of the form, another passport sized photograph and my passport.

Good luck, hope all turns out well!

Sue

[Belmont Babes]

Hi Christine

Sorry I can't help with any info but you were very helpful to me a while back so just wanted to say good luck & hope you get it all sorted out soon.

[migratory birds]

We had to provide more information on one of our family members. We did not need to send it on official NZIS medical forms or with copies of passports. They needed an original signed letter on clinic letterhead. I asked NZIS what it was that they needed specifically in that letter from the doc - after our docs took far more time filling out those forms than they normally take with any patient in the US health system I wanted to be sure that this was my final request of the doc!

Ask your immigration officer exactly what it is that the NZIS medical review board needs to see so that you can provide them just what they're looking for. They likely just want more information about the migraines and urinalysis that rules out more serious concerns they may have (brain tumours, kidney disease, etc).

NZIS told me specifically what they needed to see in that letter and that is what I asked our doc to review and cover in her letter.

Be sure to ask them what they need so you can have it covered this next round.

[CjChris]

Kanatakiwi, thanks for the tip about cholesterol! I think those little things really do get us in the end!

Toto, did you assume the form/passport photo was needed, or did your case officer tell you this? I have not asked about it as I hoped to not bug them any more than I have to.

Belmont Babes, you are a doll. I've been keeping up with you even though I haven't been in touch lately. I hope things are moving along speedily for you and that you receive word soon!!

Migratory Birds: thank you for your advice. The letter I received told us what they need in pretty good detail, so I think we're ok on that part; I did worry, though, that if we didn't send the results in the proper format that they would not accept them (the letter did not specify the requirement for the new tests except to say "letter from GP" or "repeat test".)

Thanks, again, all of you, for your support and advice.

I do feel good knowing at least that someone is working on our file at NZIS. I'm hopeful that we'll hear about PR in June....nervous!!!! Excited!!!!!!!!!

[Toto]

On reflection, it was actually my doctor that wanted the 2nd urinalysis done before she would sign off my medical - so yours is a different scenario. I understand why you don't want to bother your case worker but I think it's better to get it absolutely right so that they don't come back to you later.

Sue

[nd293]

I finally realized we have a case officer!! The medical inquiry was signed by Ricky Clarkson.

He only mentioned that I need to have the three items named (in the above post) by June 1 or my application would be considered as it is.

I wonder if I should write or call to ask him if he has received my full assessment and teachers council cert? If he considers my application without those, that means I fail! YIKES! :wah

I wouldn't take dates as absolute - in our experience there was considerable room to negotiate if you are clearly making every effort to work with the NZIS.

I was in regular e-mail contact with our visa officer throughout the process (while taking note of the fact that they are very busy, and don't want to be bothered with trivialities. We received the following concessions at various times:
* Our application was assessed without all academic certificates, and we provided these at the interview. This was because the documents had been archived and the college in question was struggling to find them.
* We asked that the location of our interview be moved from one country to another. This was not possible (as interviews are done by the visa officer) but they offered us a telephonic interview. We did travel to the interview in the end.
* We were given a two month extention on the date by which we were required to submit passports for our visas as my dd needed a new passport, and there had been media reports that the department in question had "run out" of passport books.

So, I would say that it is worth speaking to your visa officer, and seeing if your assessment date can be moved back, or some other arrangement made. DON'T wait until you are rejected before speaking up!

Hope that helps,

Nikki

P.S. We are residents of one country, are citizens of another, and had our application dealt with in a third country, so the process of obtaining documents was fairly complicated for us.