[peebles16]

Another question :confused:
We're thinking about booking flights even though we don't have PR through yet. Can we do this for one-way flights without PR? Having looked at flights and availability we're going to be struggling to get flight (that we can afford) if we don't book soon. Aim to travel middle of Jan 2008 and already seems can't get flights via Singapore so will have to go the dreaded LAX route.

Can anyone reccommend a vaguely child friendly hotel near LAX? There is no way my kids would manage the flight all in one so think we will have to do a stopover. Probably just for the one night so don't want to be too far from airport - cheap and cheerful maybe with pool or something that kids can use??

Thanks in advance :yes
Karen

[Bergita]

Hi

Not sure how it works in other countries, but I will not be able to book a one way flight without a work visa or PR. So while we're waiting for the visa to arrive, we're watching the availability of flights disappear....

[lockstock]

We've booked one-way in January with no visa. It's a calculated risk because of the cost and availability of flights - plus it was a way to give us something to look forward to rather than sitting around waiting. It may be that at the last minute we have to book a return (or onward) flight but since the container will be on the way by then, if it does all go wrong then it's going to go wrong BIG time!!! And knowing our track record it probably will.:(

[Will_2007]

Can I ask why "the dreaded LAX route"? This is our preferred route, because of the extra baggage allowance, just wondered why it's your last resort. I guess it's because of the kids?

We have only got as far as our ITA (recieved today) and are looking to fly out in March, but we're going to book in the next week or so because the flights are relatively cheap right now. No issues with booking a flight without a visa as far as I can see - the airlines don't give a hoot if you don't have a visa, and you don't need to show your visa to the travel agent to book the flight (in the UK at least). NZ immigration might not be so pleased if you fly there without one though!!

Check with the travel agent that you can change the date of your flights closer to the time, you may have to pay a small fee but it'd be better than having to bin the tickets and buy new ones if the PR hasn't come through by the day of the flights.

Good luck! :)

[Will_2007]

Hmm having read this (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14723) thread, maybe I'm mis-informed... (see post above). I based my info on what the travel agent said, should've known better I suppose!

[peebles16]

Thanks for the replies thought the onus was on us to provide the visa and hopefully should be in by then. Yep Will2007 the 'dreaded LAX' is really in relation to the kids and the hoops you seem to have to jump through with fingerprinted etc - extra luggage allowance good though :D
Karen

[kanatakiwi]

. No issues with booking a flight without a visa as far as I can see - the airlines don't give a hoot if you don't have a visa, and you don't need to show your visa to the travel agent to book the flight (in the UK at least)..

:)

Just to clarify, the airlines may not give a hoot when you book the ticket but they will check you at the airport and they will not let you fly with a one way ticket if you dont have the sticker. I have flown on air NZ on a one way ticket, booked it myself on the internet, then showed up at the Vancovuer, Canada airport and they definitely wanted proof I had PR sticker and thus able to fly one way. very nice about it though :)

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi,
Carolines Daughter comes over from the Uk in January on a student visa and has been told by her college that she must have her college details with her to present to the airport staff.If she does not have this they may not let her fly as she only has a one way ticket. This is despite having her student visa. She was also told this at the NZIS at London.

[Will_2007]

Cheers for clarifying things folks - so we don't need visas to get the tickets, but we won't be let onto the plane without the sticker in the passport... makes sense! Means we can book tickets soon :) :) :)

If for some reason we don't have the visas by the time we fly, we'll just change the dates on the tickets. We're lucky to be in a position where we could carry on working (and therefore earning) as long as we're still in the country. Doubt if our NZ employers would be pleased though :(

[ourquest]

It wouldn't help you to be allowed on the flight and then turned away at Immigration in NZ. If you do not have PR or a Work Visa, then by implication you must be arriving as visitors, and NZIS are very specific about their requirements: You must be a bona fide tourist (although you may negotiate business, but they seem to frown on job interviews), with sufficient funds for the duration of your intended stay, and you must have onward tickets booked. It is not considered sufficient to have enough funds to purchase an onward ticket.

That having been said, we arrived as a family of five and were not asked for proof of the above, but then we were there for a holiday, had booked car rental, etc etc and there was no reason for us to have appeared suspicious. Next time we arrive we will again have onward tickets etc.

Nothing prevents you from arriving in anticipation of PR coming through while you are there, except that NZIS will not see that as a reason to waive outbound tickets as PR is never guaranteed until it exists in your passport. But in their defense, they will extend visitor's visas for applicants who are waiting for PR, but that is another issue.

Do Emirates fly from the UK? From SA they are surprisingly cheap although it is a long flight via Dubai...but from UK it is quite a straight line. My boys aged 5, 7 and 9 were not bored for a moment on the flights (or at the airports).

[ourquest]

Just realised that you are going to a job...you must have a work visa then? Work permits can be valid for more than 12 months which would prevent you booking a return ticket anyway, so the currency of your visa/permit will be critical. I also read on another thread that the visa will indicate "outward ticket waived" or something equivalent.
So much of my previous thread is not really applicable to you, but hopefully it will benefit other readers.

[owens clan]

Speak to NZIS and ask them if you only need proof of funds to buy an onward travell ticket i.e.-bank statement ,credit card statement,and so on.
good luck

[owens clan]

P.S. if the say yes get it in an email so you can print it and take it with you.

[peebles16]

Thanks folks
I really do think our PR will be here before we travel. Case officer seems to be assessing now as has been in touch to clarify a few things. Really just needed to know I can actually buy tickets from airline without having to produce visa for them.

Sorry should have been more specific in my original post - serves me right for waffling :D
Karen