[Charlie]

We were planning to come to NZ in January. After a couple of exploratory trips.

We are a family of 4 - kids 8 and 7. We have submitted an EOI and hope to be selected next week (180 points by our calculation).

We have now been thrown into a panic as it seems PR may not be granted in time for January.

We are being advised by an immigration lawyer (who has worked successfully with other members of our family) that we should enter NZ under a visitors visa and then apply for PR once we are in the country.

Is this very dodgy?


views or experience please

[Moorf]

There is nothing dodgy about entering NZ on a visitors visa and then applying for a job, work visa or applying for residence.

It is perfectly acceptable.

You may also apply for an extended Visitors Visa (before or after you leave/arrive) which extends your stay from 6 mths to 9 mths - costs about £100 each I think... you'll need to check that fee though.

Moorf

[Charlie]

Thanks :clap

I know its a slightly different thread but do you know whether our kids can attend schools just on a visitors visa.

[Moorf]

I'm afraid if there is one aspect I am totally unversed in it's children - sorry. :?

There are plenty on here that can help you though and I'm sure they'll chip in soon enough... :D

[veronica]

no they can't attend school on a visitors visa but I am pretty sure they can when you get a work visa. Even if they are not at shool what they are learning by being in a new country is going to be educational, so it wont hurt them at all.

[Lesly]

I find that a very interesting topic. We too plan a "visit" with our 2 kids in November. Won't they be suspicious if we bring our kids to NZ in the middle of a schoolyear? :?

[veronica]

believe it or not there is no law that says kids have to go to school, just that they receive and educationand travel is the best education they can have.. As I have said before they aren't out to get you at the airport they want people to come here

[Lesly]

Thanks Veronica, I feel much much better now!! :nice1 :hopeso

Cheers lesly

[Lil]

It is not strictly kosher to go on a Visitors Visa to look for work. See some of the old threads - some peeps have been interrogated at immigration and been rumbled for having CVs / forms and interview dates etc in their luggage on arrival for their "holiday".

[Moorf]

Yet on the NZIS website it says you may look for work once here....! v They ought to make it crystal clear....