[Perksy]

Got our blue stickers today and notice the letter says they are valid for us to enter New Zealand until Feb 2009 at which point we will be granted residence permits.

We are hoping to be out in September for my husband to start a course in October. If we don't sell the house in time the next course he could go on is next Feb. What happens if things get delayed and you can't get out within the deadline - do you have to start the process again?

Kim

[Helsandfamily]

Hi Persky,

The answer is that you have to enter NZ before February 2009 ( You have 1 year from the date that the stickers are put in your passports to activate them) You activate them by entering NZ so if you haven't moved across there by february 2009 then you would have to go there for a holiday before that time and this is enough to give you 2 extra years to get accross fully.

Just entering is enough even if you got on the next plane back.

Hope this helps

hels

[Perksy]

That does help thank you hels. I just hope it doesn't come to that, can't afford a holiday as well as a move and frankly I'm not sure I could bear to go and come straight back again.

Kim

[Croft]

That does help thank you hels. I just hope it doesn't come to that, can't afford a holiday as well as a move and frankly I'm not sure I could bear to go and come straight back again.

Kim

We used our visa activation it as a Reccie trip to make sure we were happy with where we had chosen to live. Spent 3 weeks there before returning to the UK. If you want that extra time then I'm afraid that's the only way.

[benandclare]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana on the blue sticker front.

Cant remember who, but somebody on this forum had to activate his PR and flew from UK , landed , hung around Auckland for 6 hours then flew back to UK

[Croft]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana on the blue sticker front.

Cant remember who, but somebody on this forum had to activate his PR and flew from UK , landed , hung around Auckland for 6 hours then flew back to UK

OMG!!!!! That's incredible - that's almost as bad as a colleague who flew out to Australia from the UK for a 1 hour meeting, then straight back again. At least the company was paid for that trip.

[3littlepikes]

sorry a bit new to all of this . saw on website for immigration something about 3 months to start the job you put down on your form . panicked a bit as have to sell house etc . just about to submit EOI .Am i reading this right that you have a year from approval for residency ? its just that the website did not say that and I was trying to work out how to do it all in 3 months - would be great if someone could clarify . going for skilled migrant with job offer category . do not know if this makes a difference

[benandclare]

.Am i reading this right that you have a year from approval for residency ? its just that the website did not say that and I was trying to work out how to do it all in 3 months - would be great if someone could clarify . going for skilled migrant with job offer category . do not know if this makes a difference

Yes you have a year to do it in but also remember that if you've claimed points for your job offer, part of the deal is that you have to be in that job for at least 3 months once you started it. Sure Ian will be along to clarify my ramblings :yes

[macuser]

Hi, I read it to mean that you have 1 year to activate PR. ONCE ACTIVATED you must start the job you claimed points for within 3 months and remain in that job for 3 months.

If this is correct, (and I'm pretty sure it is), then just doing a quick activation trip will start the 3 month clock ticking on when you need to begin work.

I'm sure someone else has been through this and will confirm, but that's what I believe to be correct.

helen

[macuser]

Just found this on NZIS website

"A residence visa
If you were issued a residence visa, you must still meet some requirements to ensure you remain a New Zealand resident.
If you claimed points for an offer of skilled employment, you must take that job up within three months of being granted your permit. You must also stay in that job for at least three months and provide us with evidence that you have met these requirements within seven months of being granted your first residence permit.
If you got points for already having a skilled job that you have held for less than three months, you must stay in the job until three months is up."

As I understand it a visa becomes a permit once you enter the country.

HTH

Helen

[benandclare]

Just found this on NZIS website

"A residence visa
If you were issued a residence visa, you must still meet some requirements to ensure you remain a New Zealand resident.
If you claimed points for an offer of skilled employment, you must take that job up within three months of being granted your permit. You must also stay in that job for at least three months and provide us with evidence that you have met these requirements within seven months of being granted your first residence permit.
If you got points for already having a skilled job that you have held for less than three months, you must stay in the job until three months is up."

As I understand it a visa becomes a permit once you enter the country.

HTH

Helen

That would be the one :nice1

[Croft]

Just found this on NZIS website

"A residence visa
If you were issued a residence visa, you must still meet some requirements to ensure you remain a New Zealand resident.
If you claimed points for an offer of skilled employment, you must take that job up within three months of being granted your permit. You must also stay in that job for at least three months and provide us with evidence that you have met these requirements within seven months of being granted your first residence permit.
If you got points for already having a skilled job that you have held for less than three months, you must stay in the job until three months is up."

As I understand it a visa becomes a permit once you enter the country.

HTH

Helen

Good point Helen - never thought of that one. We didn't claim any points for an offer of employment so are free of that restriction.