LindsayBean
31st August 2007, 07:19 PM
So moved here with my Aussie partner (now on 2.5 years together (1.8 living) on a working holiday visa back in January. I'm an American (btw). Decided pretty quick that we liked it here and didn't really want to move so we should go for residency and to get the ball rolling as fast as possible. I applied for my FBI background check March 16th. I waited. And waited. And called and waited and almost 4 months later on July 16th recieved it back with my "no record" stamp. I then rushed to get my medical done and put together my application which i put in a nice book chockers full of evidence (2 leases, 2 different joint back accounts, flight reservations, photos, wedding invites, emails, etc) and dropped it off (i live next door to the NZIS in Auckland) on the 26th of July thinking i'd be grand as that gave me just over 6 months to hear back from them for my application (under partnership). Well a month later despite ticking the "i'll collect my items" box on the application, my book of evidence arrives back dishevled and with a note saying that my application is being considered but that it would take 6-9 months JUST TO GET A CASE MANAGER! So i rang today to see what would happen if i dont' have a response by the 18th of January (which is when my working holiday expires). And i was told i'd have to leave NZ and forefit my residency application.
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I started this MONTHS ago and now i'm told i should have started earlier.
The only way around not having to leave my partner and NZ come Jan (if i've not heard by then) is to apply for a work permit (under the family-partnership category). Spend $300 and have to surrender my passport for 3 months (which is what the worst case senario is--but from the horses mouth today "we are pretty backed up and busy"). Meanwhile i'm supposed to travel to Thailand in November and my passport is the only true form of ID i have here (i've got a US drivers license but a few people havent accepted it in town).
I'm just so tired and so frusterated. Sorry to rant, especially just as a newbie here (Hi, i'm Lindsay--an American who's just moved to NZ from Ireland after having lived in the Uk the last year or 2).
Anyways, i don't suppose anyone has any suggestions of ways around this or really any words of encouraging advice?
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I started this MONTHS ago and now i'm told i should have started earlier.
The only way around not having to leave my partner and NZ come Jan (if i've not heard by then) is to apply for a work permit (under the family-partnership category). Spend $300 and have to surrender my passport for 3 months (which is what the worst case senario is--but from the horses mouth today "we are pretty backed up and busy"). Meanwhile i'm supposed to travel to Thailand in November and my passport is the only true form of ID i have here (i've got a US drivers license but a few people havent accepted it in town).
I'm just so tired and so frusterated. Sorry to rant, especially just as a newbie here (Hi, i'm Lindsay--an American who's just moved to NZ from Ireland after having lived in the Uk the last year or 2).
Anyways, i don't suppose anyone has any suggestions of ways around this or really any words of encouraging advice?