USanonoNZagogo
7th October 2007, 01:01 PM
Ok so...
US citizen 1964, met kiwi wife in London 1996, wed in vegas 1998, lived in US for 10 years, just had twin girls 2006. Now looking to move to NZ.
While reviewing the NZIS webite, I was confused as to which route I should take towards getting a working visa (wife is an NZ citizen, I just received a job offer, job role falls within the NZ immediate skills shortage list.
With offer in hand, I need to work. I can't afford to wait 3 months (or more) to get a visa. I often thought to just fly the family down to NZ and work it through NZIS while on the US 90 day visa waiver. Of course this would require R/T ticket purchases (or the one off to Aussie) and I better get my visa or PR within 90 days or I'm illegal and will be sent home as a visa waiver breaking not allowed to return for 5 years.
Since I'm in DC... I decided to visit the NZ Embassy yesterday and get some much needed advise on timing. What a great visit! I explained my situation. Turns out the best option is the Working Visa under the Family Stream (a 2 yr visa). We were told this route should only take... ready for this... "2 WEEKS"! I'm sooo stoked! Great news too is that I can forego the finger print requirement.
Ok so... I still have lots to accomplish... but I now have hope and here's my 12 step program :)
1. - Buy one way tickets from DC to LAX (JetBlue for $129) for Nov. 21st
2. - Buy one way tickets from LAX to Auckland (Air NZ for $792) for Nov. 25th
2. - Use tickets to request passports for myself and twins
3. - Expedite Passports (should take 2 - 5 days)
4. - Once Passports arrive, submit with Work Visa Application to NZ Embassy
5. - Wait two weeks...
6. - 20' container arrives Nov. 16th
7. - Hold a house-colding party Nov. 17th (Got this idea from one of the posts... opposite of a house-warming party. Family and friends come over and take away stuff rather then bringing stuff as you do in a house-warming party. We have heaps of electrical stuff on 115v here to get rid of TVs, lamps, iron, radios, blender, toaster, microwaves, desktops etc...)
8. - While we await our household good... we're taking two of our portable cribs with us.
9. - We've two backpack carriers for the twins so we'll be hands free while checking in etc...
10. - Depart DC to LAX Nov 21st (5.5 hr flight).
11. - Spend Thanksgiving family in California - Nov. 22nd
12. - Depart LAX for NZ - Sunday Nov 25th
US citizen 1964, met kiwi wife in London 1996, wed in vegas 1998, lived in US for 10 years, just had twin girls 2006. Now looking to move to NZ.
While reviewing the NZIS webite, I was confused as to which route I should take towards getting a working visa (wife is an NZ citizen, I just received a job offer, job role falls within the NZ immediate skills shortage list.
With offer in hand, I need to work. I can't afford to wait 3 months (or more) to get a visa. I often thought to just fly the family down to NZ and work it through NZIS while on the US 90 day visa waiver. Of course this would require R/T ticket purchases (or the one off to Aussie) and I better get my visa or PR within 90 days or I'm illegal and will be sent home as a visa waiver breaking not allowed to return for 5 years.
Since I'm in DC... I decided to visit the NZ Embassy yesterday and get some much needed advise on timing. What a great visit! I explained my situation. Turns out the best option is the Working Visa under the Family Stream (a 2 yr visa). We were told this route should only take... ready for this... "2 WEEKS"! I'm sooo stoked! Great news too is that I can forego the finger print requirement.
Ok so... I still have lots to accomplish... but I now have hope and here's my 12 step program :)
1. - Buy one way tickets from DC to LAX (JetBlue for $129) for Nov. 21st
2. - Buy one way tickets from LAX to Auckland (Air NZ for $792) for Nov. 25th
2. - Use tickets to request passports for myself and twins
3. - Expedite Passports (should take 2 - 5 days)
4. - Once Passports arrive, submit with Work Visa Application to NZ Embassy
5. - Wait two weeks...
6. - 20' container arrives Nov. 16th
7. - Hold a house-colding party Nov. 17th (Got this idea from one of the posts... opposite of a house-warming party. Family and friends come over and take away stuff rather then bringing stuff as you do in a house-warming party. We have heaps of electrical stuff on 115v here to get rid of TVs, lamps, iron, radios, blender, toaster, microwaves, desktops etc...)
8. - While we await our household good... we're taking two of our portable cribs with us.
9. - We've two backpack carriers for the twins so we'll be hands free while checking in etc...
10. - Depart DC to LAX Nov 21st (5.5 hr flight).
11. - Spend Thanksgiving family in California - Nov. 22nd
12. - Depart LAX for NZ - Sunday Nov 25th