[migratory birds]

Our visa officer told us we were granted Permanant Residency but nothing in the letter she sent or on our blue stickers uses those two sweet words.

On the "Residence Visa" sticker it says "The holder may travel to NZ and on application may be granted a residence permit"

Is there more to the application process on arrival than what we've already completed? What kind of application is there yet to complete on arrival?

I don't want to arrive in NZ with one expectation and find that what we really have is some kind of conditional visa rather than Permanant Residency or that there is more to the approval process for PR than what we've already done. Or, worse, something will be denied based on that application filled out on arrival and we'd need to head back the US. :confused:

[jess]

Don't worry - you have PR!! :D That's just what the visas always say. There's no other application when you get here.

I think they write it that way because technically you could void it by not arriving in NZ for over a year - in which case even though you had a visa in your passport it would have expired and they wouldn't have to stamp it as a valid permit at customs. Assuming you go in the next year, you are fine.

Congrats on PR! :raebanana:raebanana

[Croft]

Our visa officer told us we were granted Permanant Residency but nothing in the letter she sent or on our blue stickers uses those two sweet words.

On the "Residence Visa" sticker it says "The holder may travel to NZ and on application may be granted a residence permit"

Is there more to the application process on arrival than what we've already completed? What kind of application is there yet to complete on arrival?

I don't want to arrive in NZ with one expectation and find that what we really have is some kind of conditional visa rather than Permanant Residency or that there is more to the approval process for PR than what we've already done. Or, worse, something will be denied based on that application filled out on arrival and we'd need to head back the US. :confused:

The 'Residence Permit' is just a stamp that the Immigration Officer puts in when you arrive in NZ - no need to apply (though you can ask for them NOT to stamp it in if you want to extend your emigration timeframe).

As Jess says, just make sure you activate the visa (ie get the Residence Permit stamp) before it expires. You then have another 2 years on the RRV to actually settle.

[migratory birds]

Hi Croft,

Why would you NOT want to have your passport stamped on arrival in NZ?

What benefit is there in extending the timeframe to emigrate?

You need to set foot in NZ within one year of that 'Residence Visa'/Blue Sticker being issued anyway don't you? Once that sitcker is pasted in there that's it for extending the timeframe within which you can arrive, isn't it?

I would think you would want that passport stamped to begin the clock ticking toward that 5-yr mark when you can apply for citizenship?

[Croft]

Hi Croft,

Why would you NOT want to have your passport stamped on arrival in NZ?

What benefit is there in extending the timeframe to emigrate?

You need to set foot in NZ within one year of that 'Residence Visa'/Blue Sticker being issued anyway don't you? Once that sitcker is pasted in there that's it for extending the timeframe within which you can arrive, isn't it?

I would think you would want that passport stamped to begin the clock ticking toward that 5-yr mark when you can apply for citizenship?

OK, let's say that circumstances back home may mean you can't immediately emigrate. You want to keep your options open. In the meantime, however, you may want to go on a reconnaisance trip/holiday/on business etc, but to keep the full 3 year timeframe you don't want to get the residence permit issued until your next visit nearer the full year. You can therefore request that Immigration NOT issue a residence permit.

This is what has happened to us. In fact we went the full 6 months after getting approval before getting the residence visa issued, visiting NZ in the meantime, then went to NZ 3 days short of the full year to activate it. As it happens, we'll be moving out permanently in the next few months so the 2 year RRV window we're currently in will be quite comfortable.

Citizenship also depends on time in country of course, so it'll be some time before we qualify. http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Citizenship-General-Requirements-for-a-Grant-of-New-Zealand-Citizenship?OpenDocument#ten

[zardell]

On the "Residence Visa" sticker it says "The holder may travel to NZ and on application may be granted a residence permit"

Is there more to the application process on arrival than what we've already completed? What kind of application is there yet to complete on arrival?



CONGRATULATIONS - you DEFINITELY have PR...:clap

The only 'application' left for you to 'complete' is the handing over of your passport to the immigration officer at the NZ airport.

The residency visa that NZIS have put in your passport turns into a residency permit once you have arrived in NZ and the officer at the airport has stamped your passport.

Worry not.....

Julie

x

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Spot on. Agreed the word 'application' is very misleading. It means exactly what Zardell says i.e. hand your passport(s) to immigration officer on arrival.

Job Done.

[DMcG]

I think they use the terminology to cover themselves.
If you've been granted PR and then, in between then and your arrival, your past as a drug baron suddenly hits CNN, they probably have the right to refuse you a residency permit. But as everyone else says, you arrive, hand over your passport, it gets stamped with a residency permit - and you head to the duty free!

Dougie

[swissmissdesigner]

Congrad! Luck you..