[RoadRunner]

We're in a bit of a family crisis here so I hope someone can help:

We have a dependent child from another marriage that wants to come live with us. The mother who has custody will do everything in her power to oppose this.

Meanwhile, our EOI is in the verification stage. Do we try to try to add the child (who is 14, by the way) to the EOI? Or do we continue with our own EOI, hoping to get PR, and then add him later?

The custody battle is likely to take a few months in the US court system so I am not sure we would even be able to get medicals and so on completed for him if we were to try to add him to the EOI...

Talk about timing. :no

Any help or advice is appreciated; meanwhile, I try not to go insane! :wah

[Diny]

I'm not sure how it works when applying using the EOI/ITA route, but when we put our application in - applying under the partnership/family category, this is what I remember.

If BOTH parents are not applying on the same application, then NZIS will want a certified letter from the 'other' parent, informing them that they give thier full permission for the child to be included on the application and will ultimately allow them to emigrate.

Without this consent the childs application can not be taken into account.

It's best to check with the NZIS, we've applied under a different category to yourselves and I know that there are a number of rules that can differ depending on whith 'route' you take.

I think you may have to apply for a visa for the minor in question once the custody 'battle' is over. Or wait until then all of you can apply together.

All the best.

Diny

[Bubbles]

Hi Roadrunner,
I've just gone through something very similar.
My eldest daughter who was 20yrs at the time of submitting the EOI said she didn't want to be included as she wanted to finish her masters degree. After lots of long talks it was decided, she was going to stay and finish her degree, then try and get into NZ under her own steam. ( Didn't like it , but hey, she's a big girl and I didn't want to force her into it ).
We received our ITA in mid Nov', and decided to take a break from the paperwork and sit on it until christmas was done and dusted. Our eldest was home over this period and we could tell there was something " not quite right ". We obviously talked and found she was feeling a tad sorry and now wanted the option of PR. She knows that if we are granted the visas, we have 12 months to act on them. ( A bit of breathing space, so to speak ).
All it took was a phonecall to our case officer to explain what was happening and he promptly forwarded the relevant paperwork for additional dependants to be added when we submit the ITA. It was as easy as that for us. I know it's not quite the same circumstances as you, but as far as adding another dependant, you should have little or no trouble.
I'm sure you'll be fine.

Good Luck :nice1

John

Also, just read the last bit about custody battles. If he's included in your EOI and you are selected, then Submit your ITA and are successful, it really doesn't matter as far as NZIS are concerned if your lad travels with you straight away or not, so long as arrives on NZ soil within 12 months of your visas being issued. Hope it's clear.