[Caniwi]

I have question to throw out there to see if anyone can enlighten me. My Canadian husband and I will be returning to NZ in the near future, he, under partnership.

Has anyone had their overseas partner go into NZ as a visitor, and then applied for PR practically right away from within NZ (approx US$850 outside NZ compared to approx NZ$600 from with in NZ). Basically, we're looking for a balance between cost and time. And of these situations, what has been your experience?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Caniwi

[Oregonkiwi]

The downside to using a visitor visa is that you can't come into NZ on a one way ticket with a visitor visa, and can't work while you're waiting for PR.

We did this:
1. applied for a 12 month work visa "with outward passage waived" for Nik. No medicals or police checks required if the visa is for 12 mths or less, and it was free (for US citizens - not sure about Canadians) and only took a few days to process (through the NZ Consulate in LA).
2. applied for FBI check
3. came to NZ on one way tickets
4. Nik did his medicals in Auckland and applied for PR (before FBI check expired)
5. PR approved less than 4 months later.

hope that helps
Avril

[Caniwi]

Thx Oregonkiwi.

We would be going in with a return ticket.....for 2 reasons
1) it's practically the same price as a one-way
2) if it all goes south, we'd be able to head back north.

Regardless....applying for PR within NZ will still require an RCMP check, correct? (sounds like it is cheaper, and quicker to obtain whilst still in Canada)

1. applied for a 12 month work visa "with outward passage waived" for Nik. No medicals or police checks required if the visa is for 12 mths or less, and it was free (for US citizens - not sure about Canadians)

Your "outward passage waived" was free? Not the whole thing, right?

[stu70]

Thx Oregonkiwi.

We would be going in with a return ticket.....for 2 reasons
1) it's practically the same price as a one-way
2) if it all goes south, we'd be able to head back north.

Regardless....applying for PR within NZ will still require an RCMP check, correct? (sounds like it is cheaper, and quicker to obtain whilst still in Canada)



Your "outward passage waived" was free? Not the whole thing, right?

To get a work visa while in Canada costs 170 bucks. To get an RCMP clearance I had to pay nothing and it was done in like 15 minutes where I live. I have a work visa now and it takes about 2-3 days to get the blue sticker (work visa) with outward passage waived thingy on it. I love how swift they are at NZ mission in Canada. Something our immigration dept can learn from. Good luck with your case.

[Oregonkiwi]

Your "outward passage waived" was free? Not the whole thing, right?

No, the visa itself was free for a US citizen - seems from Stu's post that you'll have to pay. :(

[Howie]

Sorry my information may be out of date and my memory a little off...

I submitted my ITA from the USA (not Canada). Because I was not a resident in Canada, my RCMP check had to be a finger print check and not a name check. The RCMP had a huge backlog and it was taking about 4 months to process the fingerprint checks. I assume if you apply from NZ you would have to get a fingerprint check. Worth looking into anyways.

Susan

[Jenny & Mark]

Maybe it is different in Ontario, but I only need a police check done by the local city police and not the Mounties.

Mark

[Caniwi]

Thanks for the replies.....It looks like no one situation is the same....I think we will head in with the work visa and go from there.....