[Aiki]

Hi everyone~

I've been lurking around the forum for quite some time now and I've finally got the courage to register and I have a lot of questions in regards of moving to New Zealand.

I'm currently living in California right now and I have been planning for about a year to move to New Zealand, but I don't really know where I should start. I'm actually really nervous about moving because I'm only 19 years old (young, I know) and this is my first time flying internationally by myself. I've looked up information about visa/sponsorships and I'm still confused. Would I be able to buy a one way ticket if I apply for a visitor's visa and get approved?

My original plan was to buy a roundtrip ticket to take advantage of the visa-free waiver since I'm a US Citizen and then apply for a visa while I stay with my boyfriend..but I'm on a budget and roundtrip tickets are pretty expensive, can someone give me some advice on how I should do this? I plan on leaving around the first week of July.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Ana&Steve]

Hi and welcome!
I think you could apply for a Working Holiday visa, and a visitors visa is automatic 3mo for the US, and I think applying for the extensions is free or cheap, as well. There is also the BUNAC visa, (google search) and a partnership visa, but for the partnership you have to prove your relationship for a year.
I am fairly sure on a WHV you can get a one way ticket, but you may need to prove that you have the means to purchase a return ticket. BTW, have you perused this site?:http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Also try the search function at the top of this page to research more ways to make it work. Good luck with everything!
Ana

[swissmissdesigner]

One way ticket are usually more expensive as round trip tickets.
You can get great deals on website if you can book early.
I use Qantas all the time from LAX, they have a great deals and excellent service.

[Tia Maria]

Aiki,

Welcome!

Like Ana suggests BUNAC may be a good way for you to go, check out this link:

www.bunac.org/usa/worknewzealand/

Here's a quote:

This BUNAC/IEP program goes beyond the working holiday scheme by providing year-long on the spot back-up support and advice for participants. In addition, should you love New Zealand so much that you want to stay and work longer (it happens!), IEP has the information and expertise available to make the transition to a more permanent stay as quick and as easy as possible. IEP also provides a job offer guarantee and has available a huge amount of information and help on finding work and on life in New Zealand in general.

It is a relatively simple way to get a working visa and they are really helpful. I'm from the UK and I used BUNAC when I was in my twenties twice - once to work in USA and once to work in Australia, both times I was really happy with how everything worked out.

Good luck! :)

Cheers

Tia