[Probyn]

Leaving for 1 month recce very soon!

I have a LTBV visa,wife has work visa,and kids study visa,s.Question is I can pay about $600 NZ for health insurance for the kids to the travel agency,but just thought.. with these visa,s would the kids be covered by any sort of national health insurance? then I could save some tin :)

Thanks! leaving in couple of days!

[IanW99]

Check out Am I Eligible (http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-amieligible-workpermitholders) link for details.

If you aren't eligible, then also, check to see if there is a reciprocal health arrangement between NZ and your home country.

Ian

[kidco]

Hi Probyn,

Not sure what you mean by LTBV - do you mean Limited Purpose Visitor's Visa?

Anyways, I believe that only residents and holders of 2+ year work visas are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services - everybody else is excluded. Here is the extract from Section H, page 13 of the Application for Work Visa form (Form 1015):

Residents and people holding work permits for a stay of two years or more (and their dependent children) are eligible
for publicly funded health and disability services. Other work permit holders, students, and visitor permit holders
generally are not eligible. People covered by New Zealand’s Reciprocal Health Agreements with Australia and the
United Kingdom are entitled to publicly funded health care for immediately necessary medical treatment only. I
understand that if not entitled to free treatment, I will pay for any health care or medical assistance I or any person
included in my application may require in New Zealand.

The link to this form is: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/EC9A6BEF-1152-482F-B39F-B782EE7688FA/0/1015.pdf

If you're from OZ or the UK, you would be covered for some emergency costs. Otherwise, I think that maybe some things are either free, or very cheap, for anybody legally in NZ for any length of time. Best to check with the INZ folks for exact details, though...

Cheers,

Kidco

[Nick88]

It's Long Term Business Visa, and yes, they should all be covered.

May I ask what business you chose?

[Probyn]

It's Long Term Business Visa, and yes, they should all be covered.

May I ask what business you chose?

Hi Nick

So you think we would be covered,even if the initial visa is only 9 months?

Iam just trying to save some money really,but dont want to risk the chance of some huge medical bill if the kids fall out of a tree of something along those lines!!

Iam a cameraman,do you have any experiance of the LTBV visa?

[Probyn]

Check out Am I Eligible (http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-amieligible-workpermitholders) link for details.

If you aren't eligible, then also, check to see if there is a reciprocal health arrangement between NZ and your home country.

Ian

Hi Ian

Thanks for the info.

[aggelon]

LTBV holders are eligible to all the benefits of health and education that permanent residents are.
But you can't vote or claim WINZ benefits.

[Nick88]

I don't understand, Probyn, what do you mean the initial visa is 9 months? An LTBV is for 2 years, and so you and your children under 18 will be covered. Can't say whether or not your wife is covered, if she has a 2 year visa she will be. Isn't she a co-applicant on the LTBV?

I do have a certain amount of experience with LTBVs, I helped a relative enter the country using this route. Plus I am considering marketing my business as being suitable for an LTBV application sometime in the medium term, so I'm keen to gather some info on the current system's likes and dislikes.

[Probyn]

I don't understand, Probyn, what do you mean the initial visa is 9 months? An LTBV is for 2 years, and so you and your children under 18 will be covered. Can't say whether or not your wife is covered, if she has a 2 year visa she will be. Isn't she a co-applicant on the LTBV?

I do have a certain amount of experience with LTBVs, I helped a relative enter the country using this route. Plus I am considering marketing my business as being suitable for an LTBV application sometime in the medium term, so I'm keen to gather some info on the current system's likes and dislikes.

The initial visa is for 9 months,in which time you must be seen to be setting up your business,and you must prove that you have bought capital for the business into NZ.After this you get the balance ie 27 months,for the LTBV which is 3 yrs.

All going well I would ofcourse like to apply for PR for us all,but dont know when I can start that process.My wife has a work visa,and 3 kids have a study visa.

Thanks all

[Nick88]

Thanks, Probyn, I had forgotten about the period to find a business. I have only seen cases where the person has already sorted out a business to go to before applying.

Ami I right in thinking that you get an RRV in your passport, though it has conditions attached? If you have an RRV you and the kids are covered, looking at the 'Am I eligible' link.

What sort of business were you thinking of?

[Probyn]

Thanks, Probyn, I had forgotten about the period to find a business. I have only seen cases where the person has already sorted out a business to go to before applying.

Ami I right in thinking that you get an RRV in your passport, though it has conditions attached? If you have an RRV you and the kids are covered, looking at the 'Am I eligible' link.

What sort of business were you thinking of?

Hi there

What is an RRV?

Yes you have to have a business sorted out,and submit a detailed business plan.The money into NZ is to set up that business,or buy an existing one I presume.

[ourquest]

An RRV is a returning residents visa. Permanent residents require it in their passports to be allowed back into New Zealand. It is given as a matter of right, so it isn't an issue to get one, but it must be obtained. Work permit holders, as far as I am aware, fall into a different category and will have multiple entry visas for the duration of their permits.

Some extra background to the LTBV:
The nine month initial work permit is given in the LTBV situation so that NZIS can be certain that the applicant is in fact making progress with their business, before reissuing the remaining term of the permit. The long term work permit issued to a LTBV applicant can be renewed after its term is up, I understand this can be done almost indefinitely as long as the business is benefitting NZ, however, most LTBV applicants go on to apply for residence under the Entrepeneur category after they have spent 2 years self employed in their business in NZ.

There is a recent post on this forum where the applicant was given a LTBV despite not having two years offshore experience in that business (which is one of the mandatory requirements to be eligible) and so this goes to show that NZIS actively encourage people who are able to demonstrate business savvy and good ideas as set out in their business plans without letting details necessarily get in the way. Good news for anyone who has considered this as an option...but I would imagine your research and presentation of business ideas would have to be at a very high level of professionalism (as it should be anyway).

Note regarding the OP, if you are visiting for only a short period (up to 3 months) then if you booked your tickets by credit card I imagine you will have free comprehensive travel insurance for that period (as long as you are going with the intention of returning...travel insurance often has an exclusion clause if your intention is emigration).

[ourquest]

The money into NZ is to set up that business,or buy an existing one I presume.

Some more LTBV info: NZIS require you to have sufficient funds to establish or buy your business in NZ, AND sufficient funds to support yourself (accommodation and maintenance) for the entire currency of your permit. This is $1000 per person per month, or I think $3000 per month per family unit. The reason for this is fairly obvious, since there is no guarantee that any business is going to be a success and NZIS don't want to give people temporary right to live in the country if their business may fail early on in within the 3 years. Note also that LTBV holders are not permitted to draw on welfare, their required funds in the beginning are intended to carry them through.

[Probyn]

Some more LTBV info: NZIS require you to have sufficient funds to establish or buy your business in NZ, AND sufficient funds to support yourself (accommodation and maintenance) for the entire currency of your permit. This is $1000 per person per month, or I think $3000 per month per family unit. The reason for this is fairly obvious, since there is no guarantee that any business is going to be a success and NZIS don't want to give people temporary right to live in the country if their business may fail early on in within the 3 years. Note also that LTBV holders are not permitted to draw on welfare, their required funds in the beginning are intended to carry them through.

Ok thanks,I didnt know after how long I could apply for residency,so its 2 years.. good to know.

Will be in Auckland in a few days!! very exciting!! hope its getting warm!