[just]

Hi,

What a great forum, I've already picked up some really useful info but hoping I can find out a lot more.

We are in Gillingham, Kent. My wife Diane was born in Wellington in 1974 and came to England in 1981 with her parents. We have 2 daughters (one at 6 years and the other is 6 weeks). We are seriously looking at moving to Auckland for a new life. We know people in Hillcrest, North Shore and also Half Moon Bay in Bucklands Beach and will be looking at those areas.

Diane is getting her NZ passport which should prove straightforward. I am wondering what the process is for myself and our girls? Do I still need to apply via the points system? Is it easy for the girls to get their NZ passports? Would Diane still need to go through the medical process?

We're off to the Expo in London but it's not till April so I would be really grateful if anyone could help us in the meantime. We have emailed NZ House a couple of times but had no response.

Thanks very much,

Justin

[spid]

welcome - i'm new so have no advice - but others definately will - welcome

[Peter&Liz]

Hi Guys and welcome to the forum.

I would suspect that if your wife gets NZ citizenship or family residence then you wouldn't need to go through the points system.

At least that's the way it reads at NZIS

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/live/familycategories.htm

Peter

[mikewalkerfrom]

Hiya,

Really similar boat to you guys and we're in the process. I'm a kiwi, wife's british, kids born in UK.

Your wife has her NZ passport (no problem there)

Register your kids as NZers born over seas ("citizenship by decent" is the form you're looking for). At the same time you can apply for your kids NZ passports. The only restriction is that they cant pass citizenship onto anyone until they've lived in NZ for a certain length of time (I posted these forms in to NZ house last Monday) - no medical required

You'll need a visa (either PR or Temporary work visa which will be valid for 2 years). You can follow the "family stream" which is easier and quicker because your wife will sponser you (your wife will need a police certificate to prove she's a nice person and can sponser you). You'll need a full medical

Hope this helps and makes sense
Mike

[just]

Thanks for your help.

Mike, that was particularly helpful, thanks very much. The only trouble might be proving my wife is a nice person! (only joking).

Do the police certificates only last for a certain amount of time? Following the family stream will be much easier I guess. Do you know how long we have to be in NZ before I can be passed citizenship?

Have you found it quite straightforward so far? If I'm being sponsored, is there a need to prove that I have a job offer or anything like that?

Sorry for all the questions, I appreciate any info you can give me.

Cheers

Justin

[Lara Croft]

Hi Justin.

Can't offer any advice, but just wanted to say hello, and welcome to the nicest forum around :)

Jane

[mikewalkerfrom]

Hiya,
Police certificates last 6 months I think and Medicals 3 (I may have got the ound the wrong way, but I think that's right - best to check)

So far things have gone quite smoothly. But until the house sale completes and I have money in the bank and 2 NZ passports for the kids and a visa for my wife I'll be worrying!

If you're being sponsered, I dont think you need a job offer. I haven't got one yet, but I've only just started seriously looking as we have 3 months before I could start a job (arriving mid April)

I'm not sure how long you have to be in NZ to start the citizenship process. I'll worry about that when we get settled in Christchurch as I have enough to worry about now :o)

Hope this helps, there's loads of good info on this site and friendly people to help you along the way.

Cheers
Mike

[dharder]

Do the police certificates only last for a certain amount of time? Following the family stream will be much easier I guess. Do you know how long we have to be in NZ before I can be passed citizenship?

I believe it's five years.

Have you found it quite straightforward so far? If I'm being sponsored, is there a need to prove that I have a job offer or anything like that?

It's very straightforward, and from submitting all the documents to approval took four weeks in our case. As long as you can prove that you have been in a committed relationship for the last 12 months, you shouldn't have a problem. Just start collecting some evidence and you'll be fine :)

You don't need a job offer if you go in via the partnership route.

Good luck,

Daniela

[mikewalkerfrom]

Daniela,

Just to check, was that 4 weeks from posting everything to the NZ High Comm in London to receiving your passports with visas etc?

Thanks!
Mike

[just]

Daniela

Just 4 weeks, that's pretty good. So once that's all approved and they agree to me being sponsored by my wife, is it just a matter of me getting a medical?

I guess joint bank statements, utility bills, marriage certificate etc is the sort of thing they require to prove the committed relationship?

I see from your location, you are from East London? I hope this means you like West Ham??

Mike, I came across your messages with James on another thread which is really helpful too. I got those 4 fors printed off for the kids (citizenship by descent). Which form did your wife/yourself have to complete regarding sponsorship?

Thanks again,

Justin

[dharder]

Just to check, was that 4 weeks from posting everything to the NZ High Comm in London to receiving your passports with visas etc?

It was four weeks from handing it over (personally) to receiving the 'approved in principle' letter in the post. Then there's the migrant levy to be paid, and they return the passports to you.

I am not sure if you can go in personally and pay and get the stickers quicker, as it wasn't really a time issue for us.

Good luck,

Daniela

[dharder]

Just 4 weeks, that's pretty good. So once that's all approved and they agree to me being sponsored by my wife, is it just a matter of me getting a medical?

You have to have everything ready for the application, including the medical and police checks (I believe both you and your wife will need one).

I guess joint bank statements, utility bills, marriage certificate etc is the sort of thing they require to prove the committed relationship?

Yes, that's all good stuff. I get the impression they are particularly keen on joint bank statements, mortgages, utility bills, so you'll be fine. We had a large folder of things, but suspect we slightly overdid it :)

We also did citizenship by descent and passports for the children. You can do that in one go, i.e. you still need to fill out all the forms, but we got the citizenship certificates and the passports all at the same time. That was very quick, too, even though we had to go through Wellington (in more straightforward cases, I believe you can do it in London, but not sure).

Good luck,

Daniela

[mikewalkerfrom]

Hiya,

My kids NZ passports turned up in 2.5 weeks from posting the envelope to NZHC in London to receiving them this morning. Complete with citizenship certificates. :raebanana

Awesome service!

Just my wifes visa to come, the house to exchange (today or tomorrow), book our flights, book the movers in to pack up our house and I can start worrying a bit less!

Cheers and beers
Mike