[dookieusm]

Our plan is for me to travel to NZ during September on a UK tourist visa, find a job and then apply for the neccessary work permit. Although UK citizens can stay visa free in NZ for up to 6 months, is there any way of extending this once in the country. Also, does anybody know what checks NZ Immigration carry out on arrival, i.e. check for return flight (or an onward flight to another country), sufficient funds, etc...

Thanks,

Steve

[Croft]

Our plan is for me to travel to NZ during September on a UK tourist visa, find a job and then apply for the neccessary work permit. Although UK citizens can stay visa free in NZ for up to 6 months, is there any way of extending this once in the country. Also, does anybody know what checks NZ Immigration carry out on arrival, i.e. check for return flight (or an onward flight to another country), sufficient funds, etc...

Thanks,

Steve
See here for checks on entry to NZ.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/visitors/

For a visa these conditions apply - I guess they're the same for the visa-free permit. Note that a visa lasts 9 months, so you can apply for one if you want to stay longer than 6 months. Beware of what I've highlighted in bold though - that may catch you out if you admit you're looking for work.

Requirements

When you apply for a visitor visa, we want to know that:



* you are in good health
* you are of good character; and
* the visa you are applying for matches your intentions for your visit.


Your passport

You will have to show us your passport. This must be valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand.


Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand

You will need to show us proof that you have plans and the means to leave within the period of your permit. Suitable proof may include:



* actual travel tickets (confirmed or open-dated) out of New Zealand to a country which you have the right to enter; or
* written confirmation from an airline or travel agency that onward travel has been booked and paid for.


Evidence of funds

You will also need to show us proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This means you have a minimum of:



* NZ$1000 per person per month of the visit, or
* NZ$400 per person per month if accommodation has already been paid for – we will require proof of prepayment, such as hotel prepaid vouchers.



Acceptable evidence of sufficient funds can be demonstrated in the form of:



* cash
* travellers' cheques
* bank drafts
* recognised credit cards with sufficient credit available – it is recommended that visitors have an up-to-date credit card statement.

[dookieusm]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure why I'm nervous about this, as in all my years of travel I don't think I've ever been asked for evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds by an Immigration official. I'm assuming that they'll view me as any other UK tourist.

Thanks,

Steve

[Croft]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure why I'm nervous about this, as in all my years of travel I don't think I've ever been asked for evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds by an Immigration official. I'm assuming that they'll view me as any other UK tourist.

Thanks,

Steve

True, but the one-way flight may catch you out as well. The entry forms do ask you how long you're staying, address you'll be at, why you're visiting etc. If you don't have a return ticket I'd beware.

[dookieusm]

OK, thanks for that croft. Might purchase a return flight just to be on the safe side.

[Croft]

Just discovered this bit in the regulations for a tourist visa:

Having spent 9 months in New Zealand, ‘genuine tourists’ may apply for another 3 months’ stay (making a maximum stay of 12 months) if they require more time to complete their travel.

If you're under 30 you may find the working holiday scheme gives you more options.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/unitedkingdomworkingholidayscheme.htm

Edited to add even this would not be an option if you're looking for work full time as:

satisfy us your main reason for coming to New Zealand is to holiday, not work

If you're just 'looking around' maybe just go for the 6 month permit!!

[Gio]

Hi there!
what about my plan? Sounds pretty safe... one way from my country to NZ, then a separate ticket from NZ to OZ, up to date bank draft with enough money and a reservation to stay in backpackers? After 3 months fly to OZ with a return ticket to NZ... and then again! Looks touristy???

GIO

[DMcG]

I think you may run into problems with one way tickets.
Firstly, the airline may not actually sell you a one way ticket unless you can prove that you have onward travel plans for permanently leaving the country of destination.
Secondly, even if you get a ticket, the immigration officers can stop you getting on the plane unless you can convince them you have onward travel plans.
It was only by phoning the NZ immigration at Auckland and them agreeing to let me back into the country, that the airport officials in Samoa would even let me on the flight. This was because my RRV had expired without me noticing and despite the fact that I could show them NZ bank cards, credit cards, drivers llicense etc.

Dougie

[KerryS]

I wouldn't bother with a one way ticket if you are coming over on a visitor visa, as you wouldn't even be allowed on the plane at your departure point. NZ and Australia are both very strict about immigration procedures, and airlines enforce this as they are the ones liable for the cost of removal if someone is denied entry on arrival. Therefore I wouldn't recommend purchasing a one way ticket.

GIO - do you have the right to live in Australia. You must have an onward ticket to a country to which you have the right the enter. A tourist visa is not usually acceptable for this, and you need to have an onward ticket to a destination to which you can enter freely. Hope this makes sense...

[Gio]

Hi KerryS,
let's try to understand the point: as a tourist, will I have the right to go on vacation (let's say) from Italy to NZ with a one way ticket ITALY-NZ and a one way ticket NZ-OZ expiring in (let's say) 2 months, spend there 2 months then get out of NZ with a two way ticket NZ-OZ and so on?
Why should I get a two way ticket ITALY-NZ when my plan is to move between NZ and OZ for (let's say) a year?
I believe it's possible... don't you?

[ruthyroo]

We initially purchased one way tickets UK - NZ as we intended to apply for our WV before leaving the UK. We then ran out of time to apply for our work visas and had to travel to NZ as tourists. It would have been very expensive to basically buy new return flights, which we were loathe to do as were 100% sure we would get work permits once in NZ and wouldn't use the return portion.

NZIS (London) actually suggested that we purchase cheap onward tickets to OZ (which we did online using Pacific Blue) to satisfy the 'return or onward tickets' requirement for UK tourists. We also made sure that we had ETA (electronic visas) for OZ.

I can't imagine AirNZ or any other airline doing Custom's work for them: they might warn you that you need to meet the immigration conditions to arrive on one way tickets but they wouldn't refuse to sell you a ticket on that basis. It's your responsiblity as the purchaser to make sure you can actually use the ticket.

In practice no one was remotely interested in what tickets / visas etc we had until we got to customs at Auckland airport. The official looked very briefly at our onward ticket, didn't even ask for our OZ visas, and other than a couple of pointed comments / questions about how understanding our employers must be in the UK to allow us to take a 6 month holiday, stamped the passports and gave us tourist visas. Easy peasy.

[KerryS]

I can't imagine AirNZ or any other airline doing Custom's work for them: they might warn you that you need to meet the immigration conditions to arrive on one way tickets but they wouldn't refuse to sell you a ticket on that basis. It's your responsiblity as the purchaser to make sure you can actually use the ticket.

In practice no one was remotely interested in what tickets / visas etc we had until we got to customs at Auckland airport. The official looked very briefly at our onward ticket, didn't even ask for our OZ visas, and other than a couple of pointed comments / questions about how understanding our employers must be in the UK to allow us to take a 6 month holiday, stamped the passports and gave us tourist visas. Easy peasy.

It's nothing to do with customs - it's immigration. That's why they checked you had a ticket on to an alternate destination (I presume with another carrier?) Airlines are responsible for the cost of the passage of those who are refused entry into a country, so counter staff will check tickets carefully to ensure that you have met the conditions of entry. If your flight to Oz was with another carrier, then they wouldn't care, as then that carrier would be the one responsible for your passage if you were refused entry.
I don't think I'm explaining this very well, but it is perfectly normal practice for airlines.

[KerryS]

Hi KerryS,
let's try to understand the point: as a tourist, will I have the right to go on vacation (let's say) from Italy to NZ with a one way ticket ITALY-NZ and a one way ticket NZ-OZ expiring in (let's say) 2 months, spend there 2 months then get out of NZ with a two way ticket NZ-OZ and so on?
Why should I get a two way ticket ITALY-NZ when my plan is to move between NZ and OZ for (let's say) a year?
I believe it's possible... don't you?


But that's it - you don't have the right to come to NZ on vacation on a one way ticket. Especially if you don't have an onward ticket out of Australia to a destination to which you have the right to enter freely.

[Gio]

Got it KennyS!
What' s a fair solution then?

[Gio]

I'm sorry... KerryS! (sounded better to me!)

[kanatakiwi]

there was a story a couple of months ago about someone not being allowed on to NZ from OZ because it was a one way ticket, and the person had an expired Residence visa. Shewas forced to buy a return ticket and sort it out when she got to NZ.
Air NZ staff do check and are quite strict. I came home to NZ from Canada on a one way ticket and the check in staff at Air NZ had a look at my RRV before giving me my boarding pass.
Personally I find air travel stressful enough without worrying that I will have problems at customs/immigration. I would get a cheap return ticket.

[Gio]

Hi kanatakiwi,

of course it's worth a two ways ticket, but the point here is... what if U can't make it (job offer & Work visa or permit) in the 3 months that U' re allowed to stay as a tourist? Can't just go back and return again???

[kanatakiwi]

you are allowed to stay 3 months on the basis of the stamp in your passport when you arrive. Its fairly easy to extend that to 6 months by going in to immigration (or you can do the whole thing online) and get that visa extended. It costs something, but its not a difficult task. I dont think you can keep on doing that, but getting one extension is OK

[Croft]

Hi kanatakiwi,

of course it's worth a two ways ticket, but the point here is... what if U can't make it (job offer & Work visa or permit) in the 3 months that U' re allowed to stay as a tourist? Can't just go back and return again???

dookieusm is a UK resident Gio, so is permitted 6 months rather than 3. If you go for a visa that can be 9 months extendable to 12, but you have to prove up front you are a tourist and not, say, looking for work!

I would personally not feel comfortable flying out on a tourist visa waiver programme (or a tourist visa) knowing I'm going to be looking for work and applying for a permit while I'm there. I think others have done it though...

[urban78]

there was a story a couple of months ago about someone not being allowed on to NZ from OZ because it was a one way ticket, and the person had an expired Residence visa. Shewas forced to buy a return ticket and sort it out when she got to NZ.
Air NZ staff do check and are quite strict. I came home to NZ from Canada on a one way ticket and the check in staff at Air NZ had a look at my RRV before giving me my boarding pass.
Personally I find air travel stressful enough without worrying that I will have problems at customs/immigration. I would get a cheap return ticket.

Working for an airline I'm quite familiar with scenarios like these. Airlines get fined by NZIS $3000.00 (approx, can't remember if it's NZ$ or US$ though) if a check in agent allows a person on a plane to NZ without proper documentation on a 1 way ticket :exit I know for a fact if you don't have the correct visa the airline will deny boarding or ask the passenger to buy a ticket on the spot (and very often it won't be cheapie tickets!)

When I went to OZ, the agent throroughly checked my RRV as well to make sure it was still valid. I agree with kanatakiwi, it's not worth all the stress/problems :nice1

Jen

[victoria]

I also did check-ins. It's not nice to see one or on occassion a whole family denied. I never got used to the emotional side but of course we were not allowed to show it because in the majority of cases, the "oversight" was deliberate. If you have such a dream ... why do you want to comprimise it?

[dookieusm]

All good advice.

Just found this on the Air New Zealand website:

People travelling to New Zealand on a one-way ticket must be either:

a New Zealand passport holder
an Australian passport holder
a permanent resident of Australia holding a valid Australian Resident Return Visa allowing an indefinite stay
other foreign national holding a valid New Zealand Returning Resident's Visa
All other visitors to New Zealand must possess a return or onward ticket to a country to which you have right of entry.

Return tickets it is then.

Steve

[Gio]

Right... then thanks to all of U for your partecipation!

[IanW99]

People travelling to New Zealand on a one-way ticket must be either:

a New Zealand passport holder
an Australian passport holder
a permanent resident of Australia holding a valid Australian Resident Return Visa allowing an indefinite stay
other foreign national holding a valid New Zealand Returning Resident's Visa
All other visitors to New Zealand must possess a return or onward ticket to a country to which you have right of entry.


This does not appear to be accurate to me unless the rules have changed. AFAIK, if you have a work visa that is more than a year then the need to have a return ticket is waived as it is not possible to get a return ticket for more than a year. Has this rule changed?

Ian

[KerryS]

This does not appear to be accurate to me unless the rules have changed. AFAIK, if you have a work visa that is more than a year then the need to have a return ticket is waived as it is not possible to get a return ticket for more than a year. Has this rule changed?

Ian


Yes, but in this situation you would have a visa, which would have the words Outward Passage Waived or somesuch.
This discussion was prompted by entering NZ on a visitors visa not a work visa. Hope this helps.

[KrisVeen]

Hi,

I'm Dutch and have been working in international tourism for 15 years. Things have since the years only become more difficult and strict. I also did a stint at my embassy as consular officer. Got to know some of the ins and outs of government immigration policy etc, including those of other countries.

One thing to be aware of is that a one-way ticket is not always cheaper than a return ticket. So why not check the prices first. Often it might even be cheaper to get a return ticket. In some cases you make it a package with hotel and it can even become cheaper again.

Anyway, a one-way ticket is possible. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that immigration will be afraid you are going to stay on. And the difference between legally and illegally is than regarded as a little difference. The job of immigration is to control border movement according to their policies and your documents.

This doesn't mean you can not change your tourist visa. Granted in most countries in the world now they don't allow this anymore. Not for work at least, maybe for family/marriage. However, I have considered/am considering this option myself and found out that in New Zealand it is still possible.:clap

Airlines have to confirm to some immigration requirements. They may be held responsible for removal costs (sounds like you are a bag of garbage, doesn't it) and fines if they catch you.

Catching you. Don't do anything stupid of course. If you go there on a tourist visa, they expect your intentions are to be a tourist. However, NZ immigration seems more down to earth (and it seems NZ needs the people) and understand that you will want to have a look around before migrating. And if you find a suitable job, you may apply to change your tourist visa.

But how much you want this don't jump ahead and tell them you are there for sightseeing. Tell them the things you want to see and visit. You will be allright then. Depending on how you look you might not even be asked anything and just waived through after stamping the little book.

Last thing to realize is that having a visa (or getting on on arrival, yes that is a visa, there is no such thing as visa free travel except in Europe for Europeans) does not mean you are welcome. Immigration has and reserves the right to refuse anyone entry. In India they don't like hippies at the airport (funny, if you look around the country), in first world countries they don't like people who look nervous or look like refugees/illegals. So, unfortunately your appearance and behaviour will affect on how quickly you pass immigration and if they will ask one of those direct difficult questions.

Don't lie to them. They do get training how to read people's faces/eyes etc. Don't try to beat the system. It is normal people are nervous and sometimes being aggitated after flying for so long. Really have the intention on doing some sightseeing (I would anyway) and you didn't lie. "Are you planning on working in NZ?" (Think:) well a plan means I know when and where, since I don't know yet; (say:) No!

Onward travel: Be very careful. If they want to be difficult they can ask you the onward travel ticket from the next country. You say, here is my ticket to Australia, they say, OK and from there? Back to NZ, OK and afterwards? You'll end up with a no win situation. Also keep in mind that Australia has the same regulations. MAYBE you can get away with it once or twice, but then they look in your passport and see the comings and goings and guess what is going on. The moment they loose trust in you, forget the rest (to be easy).

There are some return tickets valid for a year and which you can extend for another year (against a fee). These are mostly not the cheaper ones, but if you plan to visit your old home country, why not!?

I myself would look for a cheap return ticket and just cancel the return ticket. Sometimes, I really mean SOMETIMES, you can even get a small refund on that.

When you shop around with travel agents, ask if they sell consolidated airfaires. If they do they are at least professional and have good resources to find nice tickets. And also there are some good deals among consolidated airfare tickets. Always check what you are allowed to do with a ticket, change dates, cancel/refund, etc.

:nice1 Good luck,

I hope we will join you in NZ soon.

Kris & Juanjuan

[Gio]

Thanks for the post Kris & Juanjuan!
Personally, I'm just concerned about the short period of time that I'll have as a tourist from Italy (3 months). Even if I already have many contacts for jobs and accomodation, I can't help to worry about that! Jobs aren't just around the corner, and most of all, the right place to work and settle. I'm positive that working hard and committing myself I will accomplish my mission, but with other 3 months ahead... it's different!

Cheers
GIO

[KrisVeen]

No problem,

I must say that I'm also looking into NZ myself and that I don't have firsthand experience myself. I'm not sure if three months will be enough to get going.

I got the same consideration. Our benefit is that my wife is a nurse and we can get skilled status by next year.

But, I do consider in going ahead and try to find something in three months. One person said that they can issue (change visa) the work permit in a week or so. But, I guess that all depends on the job, employer, officer handling it, etc.

Good luck.

[Gio]

Hi Kris & Juanjuan,
also welcome on the forum!

In fact most of the people says that once the job offer is done, (all paperwork done before and medicals) work permit is easily issued... my only hope!

Cheers
GIO