[mathmussim]

Has anyone successfully received an extension on their RRV? Our RRV expires next spring, but due to some circumstances here in the US, we won't be able to leave until early 2009. I see some forms on the NZIS site, but it looks complicated.

Also, maybe a dumb question -- do you need an extension of the PR too? or just the RRV?

Thanks in advance-

Sim

[jess]

I'm a bit confused by your question. Do you mean you got PR but are not planning to enter NZ until 2009? (If so you are asking about an extension of your PR permit, not RRV)

You have one year from the date that NZIS puts the Permanent Residence permit into your passport to enter NZ before the permit expires. The permit automatically becomes a PR visa once you enter the country within the year. After you enter NZ, your PR visa does not need renewing, but if you leave the country your ability to return to NZ again depends on having a valid Returning Resident's Visa.

The RRV allows migrants who already live in NZ to leave the country and get back in again. It expires two years after you enter NZ on your PR permit. After the two years, if you have been in NZ for 184 days or more for each of the two years and meet other requirements, you can apply for an IRRV (indefinite returning resident's visa, which doesn't expire). If you have been out of the country more than the 184 days/yr, you'll need to apply for another RRV that will expire in one year. (See this page (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/residents/returningresidents/canireturn/quickcheckafteroctober1995/) for details about qualifying for the IRRV.)

If you are asking if the PR permit can be extended so that you don't have to enter NZ for the first time before the expiration date, I have not heard of anyone being able to do so (but someone will speak up if they have managed it). What I have heard of is the option of activating your PR permit with a visit to NZ and then leaving again. If you visit NZ even for a few days before your PR permit expires, you'll activate the PR visa, and I believe you can then return to the US and have two years to reenter the country on a vaild RRV. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong - we did not do this ourselves).

Sim, I hope this answers your question. :)

[holland]

Ill PM you

J and G x

[mathmussim]

Jess -

We got the PR and arrived in mid-06 for a recon visit. So, we activated the RRV on time, but now want to delay arrival until early 2009 (or very late 2008). RRV expires mid 2008.

Sorry I wasn't clear -- must have been a bad day, as I see I posted the query in the wrong section too! (I didn't mean to put it in "Locations").

Thanks -

Sim

[Trigirl]

i don't see how you can qualify for a new RRV of any type. you don't qualify for an indefinite one as you haven't been in NZ for 184 days in each of the past 2 years, you don't qualify for a 12 month one as you haven't been in NZ for 184 days in the previous year, and you don't qualify for a 14 day one as you aren't currently in NZ.

are you sure you can't move your plans up a bit - as currently you are looking at having to reapply for PR

[mathmussim]

Yes, we're consdering all options. Arriving early is Plan B (will cause other problems). Reapplying is Plan C (UGH!)