[BlueDevil]

Hello. I have been reading this forum for a while as we are moving to New Zealand early next year. My wife's entire research group is moving and I am fortunate to have a portable job. We also have a 3 y/o son.

My question is whether to apply for residency as a Skilled Migrant (I believe we would qualify) for $3100 (including EOI fee, Resident application fee and Migrant Levy fee) or for a Work Visa (free!).

We are coming to New Zealand for 2.5 years for sure; but after that her contract will expire and we will see. We visited NZ in 1999 for 3 weeks and loved it, but I am not sure we can leave our family and work behind in the USA permanently.

One tempting idea is to apply for residency, and after the two years obtain an IRRV allowing us to return to work/live or for our son to study there at some point in the future - if I understand the IRRV correctly?

Are there any other benefits to residency other than Kiwi pride? For instance, a work permit of 2 years+ seems to get you access to health care. Otherwise, we will probably come under the work-to-residence visa and then decide later about applying for residence if we stay.

Finally, if you get an IRRV and your passport expires, does the IRRV carry over to the new passport? Or if you have not been back in 3,5 or 8+ years do they call it null and void.

Thank you very much in advance, I appreciate your thoughts.

[tigerlily]

You can have your IRRV put in your new passport too. My understanding is that they are forever, but that being said, I thought I read something about the NZ government basically calling all IRRV null and void if you weren't in the country for several years- this happened sometime in the 70's? I thought. Basically, the governments do change and have different views of immigration. If you stay the 5 years and get citizenship I think you would feel totally safe being able to return at any point in the future, but there may be tax consquences to that as well.

I'd say go over on your work visa, see how you like it. Applying for PR from inside the country is actually cheaper. And if you find you don't like the damp houses or living far from family you've saved yourself a bundle. If you find you love the beauty and the fact that you can go shopping with bare feet- then you can apply and slam dunk the points because you will already be working there.

best of luck!

forgot to say- Welcome!!!

[barryp]

I'm with tigerlily.

From a cost perspective, it does depend on how much you'd end up paying for associated medicals. If you get a work permit and apply for residency later, you end up paying for essentially the same tests twice in a short period of time. That factor alone made PR the more attractive option, despite the higher fee. Looks like fees have changed substantially since then. :uhoh

I also figured that PR would be a better sell to potential employers. I'm not sure that's true and in any event is not relevant to your family's decision.

Once you get an IRRV, it can be transferred to new US passports multiple times with the payment of a minor fee. If your passports are getting long in the tooth, that might be your excuse to renew early, before coming to NZ.

[BlueDevil]

Thank you Tigerlily and BarryP.

Do you know about differences in schooling for residents?

Thanks.

[Paul]

Best of luck - can't help with your query but wondered how your user name originated - don't suppose you are from Concord, Cali?

[snailandthewhale]

free schooling for residents and I think international student fees for everyone else. expensive, I believe, even for primary school. however, your son can start school anytime between his 5th and 6th birthday and so you may be going back home before he starts school.

k

[migratory birds]

University fees are significantly less for permanant residents as are health care costs (office visits and prescription meds). You're able to vote as well. Mortagages easier to access.

[silvo]

With PR you can also claim family assistance allowance - (depending on the level of your income) this is not possible on working visa's ! ....Neil

[denisesykes]

We have been on work visas for nearly 2 years and are awaiting residency .
The advantages for us of residency will be;

Cheaper university fees (By far!)
Family allowance entitlement (for us about $100 pw)
Entitlement to vote

That is all as far as I know, primary and secondary schooling is still free on work visas and we have had no problem getting a mortgage or credit card.

Good luck!

Denise

[BlueDevil]

Paul - BlueDevil refers to Duke University.

denisesykes - What is the Family Allowance Entitlement? Is it income-sensitive/dependent?

Thanks all.

[hammadkkhan]

Have a look.

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/get-assistance/index.html

Hope this helps.

[hammadkkhan]

Here i another one:

http://www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz/

Hope this helps.

[IanW99]

We have been on work visas for nearly 2 years and are awaiting residency .
...
That is all as far as I know, primary and secondary schooling is still free on work visas and we have had no problem getting a mortgage or credit card.

It is worth noting that although getting a mortgage on a work visa is easy, the banks expect you to have a 20% deposit.

Also, if you take out a loan, then the loan period will only be up to the expiry time of your work visa e.g. if you only have 18 months left, then the loan period will only be up to 18 months.

Ian

[denisesykes]

Hi there

It is actually called Working for Families Tax Credits and it is income dependant.Have a look at

www.ird.govt.nz/familyassistance/

They have a calculator to work out how much you would be entitled to claim, the limits appear to be quite generous, for instance we have an income of approx $75000 per annum and once we have residency we should still be able to make a claim.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Denise