[nickbraddock]

Hi,
can anyone tell me how long the NZIS in London keep your original documents for after you submit them?? My dilemma is that I am planning on submitting my ITA at the end of Jan and am looking at holidaying in NZ in March, I was planning on submitting my original passports but am now worried they may not come back to me for then.
Cheers
Nick

[Wannaway]

It depends on what NZIS will need your passports for. If you are awaiting stamps or visas, it will take as long as it takes, but I have heard they try to be accommodating if you need them for travel, you just need to gve them plenty of notice. If they just want passports to start checks and things, they should copy them and return originals to you, rather than hold on to them whilst all the checks are being done. Best thing is to call them, explain the situation and see what advice they give, I have heard from several people that when you can actually speak to them (which may be the really challenging bit) they are generally very helpful and amenable.

Lee

[shagen]

Hi Nick,

Certified true copies are perfectly acceptable to NZIS. Why do you want to give your original passports to NZIS now, unless they have approved your ITA and are ready to stamp the visas on them.

Cheers,
Shagen

[nickbraddock]

Hi,
just thought it would be best to send all original stuff as certifying all of my docs will be a costly affair. I suppose I could just certify the passports to keep the cost down>
Cheers
Nick

[shagen]

If you are not travelling, then sending the original makes sense but certifying does cost money. I was informed that NZIS needs every single page of your passport to be copied and certified!

I bound my 64 pages into a little book for them. Was tempted to write "Happy reading" on it! :laugh

Cheers,
Shagen