[dptesq]

My partner and I have agreed that we want to move out of the States within the next 3-5 years. Too many reasons to go into here, but NZ is one of our top prospects and we were very pleased to find this site and the motherlode of information it seems to contain. As an initial, let's the ball rolling query, what difficulties might same-sex partners face in immigrating?

[jess]

Hi and welcome to the forum. :D My OH and I came over from Va a little over a year ago. We lived about 2 hours from DC.

As long as you meet partnership requirements, it should not matter whether you are a same sex or opposite sex couple as far as getting PR. (See the information from the NZ Immigration Service's Handbook below.) I can't speak to difficulties encountered on this end, though I seem to remember a thread about it...


R2.1.10 Definition of 'partner'
Immigration Regulations 1999 reg 20
For the purpose of inclusion in a residence application, 'partner' means:
a person who is legally married to, or
a person who is in an interdependent partnership akin to a marriage, (whether opposite or same sex) with,the principal applicant*.
References to 'partner' in Government residence policy mean 'partner' as defined in (a) above.
A partner who does not meet the criteria in (a) above may not be included in a principal applicant*s* application and must apply for residence as a principal applicant* in their own right.Full text available here (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/6562.htm).

[jess]

Found that thread - it's here (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8584&highlight=heterosexual).

[Bruckner]

I don't have an answer to your question but wanted to say welcome to the forum. We were just down in DC three weeks ago for my brother's hooding ceremony at George Washington.

Emily

[Ana&Steve]

Hi and Welcome!
You would have to prove your relationship has been for longer than a year, usually by proving you've shared a household. BTW, this is the same rule for any (love) partnership:nice1
Ana

[dptesq]

Thanks everyone. We've been together for 11 years and are registered as domestic partners under D.C. law, so we should be able to meet the partnership requirements.

Emily, I used to teach at GW, but I'm at Georgetown now.

[anna_c]

Hi

I got PR on the basis of being in a (same-sex) partnership with an NZ citizen, and it went surprisingly smoothly. As others have stated, the criteria is to prove that you have been living together in a stable relationship with your partner for at least a year.

As the bonus of proof is on you I'd advise you to start being pack-rats now - get as much as possible in joint names (bills, bank accounts etc) and keep it all, along with stuff like [insert holiday of choice here] cards in their postmarked envelopes. Makes life much easier.

The domestic partnership has no standing in itself but can be used as one piece of evidence amongst others to show your relationship, which is just the same for a marriage certificate.

That's just about the visa requirements side - but I don't think your relationship will give you many problems in other areas - I've heard of some Americans (not sure if this applies everywhere) having issues with getting joint insurance etc, which is not something we have ever had to or expect to deal with.

Good luck with it all!

[Oregonkiwi]

We've been together for 11 years and are registered as domestic partners under D.C. law

Welcome to the forum!
In case you haven't found it already, here's the website with information about civil unions in NZ (if you choose to have your partnership officially registered in NZ):
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-Civil-Union?OpenDocument

[anna_c]

I can't edit now, but I meant onus of proof. I know the difference, I just can't spell :)

[Bruckner]

Emily, I used to teach at GW, but I'm at Georgetown now.

Were you in the Math department? He's a knot theorist. Gorgeous campus you're at BTW!

Emily

[Park City Partner]

Hi There & Welcome. I am an American living in NZ and grew up in DC. In fact, I just got back from a 30 day visit and spent a good chunk of time there with my family. My sister in law is in a same sex relationship and from what I can see, NZ is way better than the States!

As for the Georgetown/GW connections...my dad used to teach as an adjunct professor at the law school and I believe my brother has taught a bit there as well....

Kind of random thoughts...just wanted to say hi...

[dharder]

As an initial, let's the ball rolling query, what difficulties might same-sex partners face in immigrating?

Welcome to the forum :)

I think our experience was much like Anna's: it went really smoothly as well (OH is the NZ citizen), and rather quick, too.

We've been collecting stuff basically for the last 10 years, and submitted joint bank statements, utility bills, and photos.

Proving a relationship is the same for all couples, so all threads here about partnership applications/proving a relationship should be helpful, not just the ones about same sex partnerships.

Good luck with everything :)

Daniela