[coyotewildwomen]

Hi,

I have been doing some research on Bill 148-2, the Identity( Citizenship and Travel Documents) bill introduced by Bill Hawkins. It had it second reading in December and I believe it may be voted upon in February when Parliament returns. The official citizenship site says changes would take place in early 2005, if the bill passes. This is the bill that changes citizenship from 3 years after PR to 5 years after PR, if it remains in its' current format. If the legislative process is anything like they are in the US, a bill can be significantly modified and amended before a final vote. I know there are some people on the forum who may be interested, so I thought I would provide an update.

Also does anyone know if you are granted formal permanent residence only after you are physically on NZ soil or does that happen once you receive the blessing of NZIS? Is there a time limit from the point you recieve the NZIS blessing and approval to when you actually physically need to be in NZ? Can't find any info on the official site but I could be looking in the wrong place.

Thanks in advance, and happy,safe holidays to you all-

Wendy

[Kate]

Hi Wendy,

In regards to your PR question, we recieved our PR approval in November of this year. After you get approved in principle, you have 6 months to pay your migrant levy. When you pay your fees you provide your passports and receive your residence visa and your 2 year returning residents visa in your passport. At that point you then have 1 year to show up in New Zealand and at the first arrival you will recieve your actual residence "permit" which allows you to stay in New Zealand indefinitely - if you don't leave. The date of your first entry also starts the clock on the validity of your 2 year returning residents visa.

This is all based on the approval of a PR we got through family sponsorship.....but I think it would apply for any type of PR obtained.

Regards,
Kate

[Juniper]

cool, so after all the paperwork and waiting to get PR approved, you have up to a whole -year and a half- before you actually have to fly over? that's good news for us, since so much depends on the success of our business and family situation...leaves plenty of room for delays without having to start all over...