[Watna]

Hi all,

Have just joined the site and am very impressed so far!

I've moving to NZ in a few weeks with my kiwi OH. We chose for me to get a working holiday visa first, as they are so easy to get and it would give me a chance to try NZ out. We intend to stay longer than the year my WHV allows and I'm entitled to a partnership visa.

http://www.globalvisas.com/new_zealand/partner_visa.html

We meet the requirements, in that we've lived together for a year at this stage and are in a "genuine, stable Relationship". I have a collection of documents to support this, i.e. bills in both our names, lease agreements, joint bank account statements.

I was just wondering if anyone else had applied for this? Is it a difficult process? Does it take a long time to come in?

My main concern is that it seems to be for couples where one of them is in NZ but the other is in their home country. I'm just wondering if I'm in NZ with him can I apply from there or will I need to come home to Ireland to apply for it. I really don't want there to be a situation where it takes months and we're stuck in separate countries!

[JandM]

No, it isn't only for if one of you is in one country and the other in NZ. My (British) son got his PR from within NZ, having gone in on a tourist/holiday visa with his Kiwi wife and applied once there. Good luck with everything.:)

[jspokes]

I've just got my PR approved through partnership the other day. Just be aware that it will take a lot longer from within NZ. It took 2 months in the UK at NZIS, London and apparently can take 12-18 months in NZ. So...might be worth coming back for a holiday to sort it out...

Good luck
Jon

[Watna]

Wow, 12-18 months. That's crazy!

If that's the case maybe I'll apply when I get there, just to be sure.

Do I need to attend interviews or anything with my partner? The only thing I can find online is what criteria you need to reach but I've absolutely no idea what the process entails!

Thanks

[wiki]

Our partnership process took 4 months in the UK. Would have been quicker, but we needed a medical waiver for my OH.

No interview necessary. Just makes sure you've got evidence of living together for the 12 months.

best of luck, and any questions, just ask.

[kanatakiwi]

I applied from within NZ and was told it could take up to 6 months. Mine took 8 months but that was because of a medical issue that needed to be looked at. Like Jand M's son, I came first on a visitors visa, while my husband found work, and we got settled in. I then applied for work visa and permanent residence at the same time. Work visa came through very quickly and allowed me to stay while the PR was processed.

[Watna]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated!

I guess the thing to do is to apply a few weeks after we get there.

If anyone has any advice about documents etc that can help the process, please let me know. I'll have to add them to my "proof of relationship" folder and bring them with us, and my OH laughed at me when I started getting this folder together!

I'll just have to make sure I pack it. :)

I take it from the posts above that like other NZ visas you need a medical.

[JandM]

Proof of relationship. We got asked to supply a chatty letter about our daughter-in-law - when we got to know her, family things she took part in, personal things about her - and an old family friend did the same. Her family and a friend of theirs did the same for our son. What they're after is to be sure it isn't a marriage (or relationship) of convenience. It might be easier to get these while you're in England - same for photos of the both of you, in lots of places and situations, going back as far as possible.

[Jo Jo]

I applied for a partnership visa in the UK, and it took 4 weeks from submitting the application to receiving approval in principle.

[ellenmelon]

my partner's took a little over two months, i think because we had loads of evidence (we put in wedding invites we had been sent, photos, lease agreement as well as bills in both our names). that, and his medical went really well. we applied from ireland so it went to the london immigration office. it shouldnt take to long if your application has everything needed.