[wolfysmith]

Hi,
Just wondered if there was anybody out there in the same situation as us. We lived out there then returned to the UK:exit and now we feel we made a big mistake and want to return again but of course we have to go through the whole process again ARRRRR:wah !
Cheers

[Belmont Babes]

Haven't got there yet but what made you come back? If you have done it once bet you can do it again. At least you know what the process entails...or maybe that's a bad thing?

[Cardy]

Hi My old boss from the uk is in the same boat as you ! they lived in Nz 2 years and his wife was home sick so returned to uk . 3 months later they wanted to come back to nz and were told they had to go through all the paperwork again.
Good luck anyway
cheers paul:nice1

[jewelsvani]

How long does it take to get citizenship? Surley this would illiminate the need to re apply.

[Croft]

Met someone last time we were in NZ. They;d emigrated out, he got a good job in the city, kids settled well into school but wife hated it (felt to isolated where they chose to live). Sold up and went back to the UK. Sitting in a a relatives front room and a dreary. wet day back in the UK, just af all their belongings left Singapore on the way back (the last chance they'd have had to turn them around), she truned around and announced she wanted to go back.

I think they were fortunate in that they were still well within their 2 year initial visa.

[Debbie P.]

How long did you give it while you were over there, and how long have you been back? Are you sure you've given it enough time back here, and you're not just feeling a bit shell-shocked about being back in the UK?

Maybe you need to think carefully about this, and remind yourselves of the reasons why you left in NZ before? Don't want to sound a depressing note, but the process is an expensive and stressful business, as we all know, so you really need to be sure you want to go through it all again. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Tentun]

I agree with the previous post. My hubby and I haven't yet made the move but we've both said that once we are there in NZ we will make it work no matter what because we don't want to go through another stressful move in our lives (already immigrated once already).

Now I know it's easy for me to say that as I haven't actually set foot in NZ yet but now that you are back in the UK - take some time to look around you and see if things are really all that bad. We did that just recently and realised that actually, we don't really need to move, we have lovely friends, great country scenery nearby, a lovely village, fantastic schools on our doorstep. We both kindof said 'what are we immigrating for?'. Have you considered maybe a move to another county/some where in the country/coast or somewhere away from where you are in the UK now. You don't have to move to another country to change your lifestyle if that is your reason for moving - I don't know your specific reasons.
Good luck with your decision! Hope it works out for you whatever you decide.

[wolfysmith]

Just to clarify a couple of points. We were in New Zealand for 12 months before we came back and we've been back in the uk for just under 4 years. Since being back we've had two children.
Having kids has changed our perspective about what we want out of NZ. The first time we were more interested in the material symbols of a succesful life in NZ. A nice house and a large house. All the things we thought were out of reach of us here in the UK.
Since the kids arrived we realise that what we want now if we go back is more to do with what we feel is best for our children - avoiding the lottery of getting in at a good school, the influences on children here in the UK, the ability to enjoy more of an outdoor lifestyle that is often not available in the Uk. We realise that NZ is not some utopian world that has no problems. We lived out there and saw the under belly of NZ life that people miss on holiday. However, we still think it's a better option for the kids than here.
The other thing is that we want a lifestyle that means we get to spend more time together as a family and part of that dream is owning and running our own business. The kind of business we have in mind is very difficult and expensive to establish in the UK and again, another reason to look to return.
The other factor is that we realise that had we stuck it out a bit longer we might have never come back.
Thanks

[Ana&Steve]

Good luck with everything, Wolfysmith! Your last post helped me see a better picture of your change of heart; it's not just about the two of you anymore, it's about taking care of your family's future. I hope you achieve what you are looking for, and that you take pride in attaining your goals, whatever they may be.
Ana

[marcia]

You talk about running your own business over here! Just a word of caution - i think no matter where you are in the world setting up and running your own business takes a lot of time and energy, and then to keep the business running takes up more of your time - it is certainly not a 9 - 5 kind of extistance!

I am talking from experience, iis one of the reasons we came here - Kev had run a business for 12 years, he worked flippin hard, Ok we had no mortgage and savings in the bank, but at the end of the day he hardly saw the kids. Over here he is back working for the local council, 7.30 - 4.00, 5 days a week, pay is as much as he paid his staff who worked for him in the uk, but we get to spend time together which is so precious! He has already been offered the job of running a company for a friend who is diversifying, a lot more money, but would have meant a lot more time sortng out paperwork and chasing your own tail again - he turned it down!

I am not trying to put you off coming here - we love it, but please be careful when you are making your plans, if you are wanting a lifestyle change to spend more time with your family - perhaps being self employed running your own business isn't the answer - please do your research carefully!

[sarahw]

Please please be careful when taking on a business - it can mean no family time at all contrary to popular belief (believe me I've been there! It wasn't pretty!). Think and research really carefully before diving in. Good luck with the move back - know quite a few people who are making the move back here after having change in circumstances.

[wolfysmith]

Thanks for all the advice guys. We're not planning any big change yet. The plan is to get employment for Chris, whilst I continue to be a full time Mum to our 3 year old and 4 month old. We are going to take our time to research the business we want and only commit to something when we are good and ready.
Part of the 'run your own business' theory is quite simple. Working for someone else can be soul destroying at times. You put in the hardwork only for someone else to get the rewards or to show a complete lack of respect for the contrubution you make. Themes that are relevant whether it's in the UK or in NZ.
We are looking for something that we can both be involved in and something whereby the kids are close by. Chris leaves the house in the morning and comes home late. He misses out on seeing the girls growing up.
Chris's Dad and his sister both have run their own very succesful businesses so we are aware of the hard work and dedication it takes. More than is required when you work for someone else.

Of course, the first hurdle is getting back in to NZ and Chris landing a job:wah

[wolfysmith]

I agree with the previous post. My hubby and I haven't yet made the move but we've both said that once we are there in NZ we will make it work no matter what because we don't want to go through another stressful move in our lives (already immigrated once already).

Now I know it's easy for me to say that as I haven't actually set foot in NZ yet but now that you are back in the UK - take some time to look around you and see if things are really all that bad. We did that just recently and realised that actually, we don't really need to move, we have lovely friends, great country scenery nearby, a lovely village, fantastic schools on our doorstep. We both kindof said 'what are we immigrating for?'. Have you considered maybe a move to another county/some where in the country/coast or somewhere away from where you are in the UK now. You don't have to move to another country to change your lifestyle if that is your reason for moving - I don't know your specific reasons.
Good luck with your decision! Hope it works out for you whatever you decide.

Hi Yes that is what Chris use to say. I was thinking about this and i think it is all about your mindset. We said we were going for good, which is very final giving you a natural yearn to return to the UK. However if we had said we are going just to see if we like it and not put a 'forever' label on it we may not have had the phsycological pull to return to the UK? Who knows. Just a thought.

[mclarity]

- avoiding the lottery of getting in at a good school

When we lived in Wellington (Lower Hutt) we felt quite constrained in our choice of high schools for the kids. The kids were at a great primary school but were zoned for a not-so-great high school (to put it mildly). If you do not wish your child to go to the school zoned for your area then you either need to go the semi-private or private school route. The latter is of course very expensive. The semi-private choice was limited and included waiting lists and a religious affiliation (which we do have fortunately).

[Patricia]

You have to be in NZ for 3 years before you can apply for citizenship :roll

Patricia

[speckythecky]

Good luck with the plans for a return, as someone said, you have been through it all before so at least you know what to expect from the process and from the first few weeks in nz. I hope the reasons for going back are enough for you to settle once you get back

[dharder]

When we lived in Wellington (Lower Hutt) we felt quite constrained in our choice of high schools for the kids.

I found this to be surprisingly extreme in Auckland as well. It was a lot more difficult than I had imagined to find a place where both primary and secondary schools are decent. At times, reading the reports, I felt like I was reading my own sons' school report here in east London! It was rather disheartening.

We've found an area now in Auckland, but it wasn't as easy or different from the UK as I had hoped for (schooling being one of the main two reasons for me to agree to the move).

Good luck with the second time round :)

Daniela

[barryp]

(Aside: if one migrates to NZ now, one can apply for citizenship in FIVE years, not three. There was a rules change, though people who applied for PR before the rules change were grandfathered, assuming they later received PR and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to NZ. Moving away for four years after being here for one doesn't do that.)

[sarahw]

You have to be in NZ for 3 years before you can apply for citizenship :roll

Patricia

If you were granted PR on or after 21 April '05 then its 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. 3 years if before that date:

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Citizenship-Requirements-for-New-Zealand-Citizenship?OpenDocument

[jewelsvani]

You have to be in NZ for 3 years before you can apply for citizenship :roll

Patricia

thanks sarah fo rthe update. It's good to know. :o



thanks fo rthe info :nice1 :o

[StevieD]

T Working for someone else can be soul destroying at times.

Likewise running your own business!! Good luck on whatever path you choose :nice1

[Lisa&Andy]

You have to be in NZ for 3 years before you can apply for citizenship :roll

Patricia

I thought that had changed to 5 years in NZ before you can apply for citiezenship :confused: I could be wrong though as I often am :laugh

[Lisa&Andy]

Oooops! I see others have replied to this part before me :p

[johnrt]

It's amazing how many people seem to move to NZ, get homesick, return to the UK, then realise that they had done the right thing in the first place and move to New Zealand again.

This paperwork thing has me stumped though. Surely if you get permanent residence, you'll be able to go back to NZ any time without paperwork? Or am I missing something?

[Sam B]

No, once you have got PR, you've got 1 year to get here, then you really have to stay here, or at least stay 6 months out of every 12. You can't just leave and come back.. You can only do that if you have citizenship.

[johnrt]

Thanks Sam, so that's one big advantage that getting citizenship has compared with permanent residence.

[IanW99]

If you are in NZ for more than six months in two consecutive years with an RRV, you can get it changed to an IRRV. With an IRRV you are allowed to leave and return to NZ at any time and stay as long as you like.

So you don't need to get citizenship for this reason.

Ian

[Lupin]

If you are in NZ for more than six months in two consecutive years with an RRV, you can get it changed to an IRRV. With an IRRV you are allowed to leave and return to NZ at any time and stay as long as you like.


Is that so? Thanks, I didn't realise that :)

[Lupin]

From http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/residents/returningresidents/

After your first Returning Resident’s Visa expires you must apply for a second Returning Resident’s Visa. Your second or subsequent visa may be valid indefinitely (enabling multiple trips in and out of New Zealand indefinitely) or may be valid for 12 months or 14 days. An indefinite visa is granted provided you were the principal applicant in the original residence application, or you are included in the RRV application lodged by the original principal applicant, and you are able to meet the requirements that show commitment to New Zealand, e.g. spent most of your time in New Zealand. If you are unable to meet those requirements you may be eligible for a 12 month or 14 day Returning Resident’s Visa.