[neilgunton]

My wife and I live in the USA currently and are considering emigrating to NZ. I am 40 years old. Someone mentioned to me that they had heard that NZ rejects anyone over 40 - is this true? I know their points test system doesn't say this anywhere explicitly, but I'm just wondering if it's one of those "unwritten" rules.

Thanks!

/Neil

[Kerry and David]

Welcome to the forum, I know people who have emigrated fine in their 40's and my hubbie is in that age bracket too and so far we have not been faced with any age issues.
Good Luck!

[nickydwuk]

Hi Neil & welcome to the forum. For Australia the age limit is 40 (I think) but for NZ it is 55 so you should both be fine. I am 42 & OH is 46 and we have been selected and sent our ITA's.

[thezorbster]

Absolutely not - we're here and were both over 40 when we applied. Points do decrease with age but I can't remember by exactly how much. I'm sure it's on the immigration website somewhere though.

[neilgunton]

Ok, that's great to know - thanks very much! This seems like a pretty active forum, so I'll be coming back with more questions no doubt. We're probably going to go down there for a bicycle tour initially (I think that's a great way to get a look at a country), possibly next January.

Here's another one: We have a cat (named Headbutt). I seem to remember that it might be possible to start the process to get her admitted while we are still over here in the USA. Something that you can start with a local vet here maybe 6 months before you leave, which the vet certifies, and then you can skip (or dramatically shorten) the usual 6 month quarantine in NZ. Is anybody aware of this? Maybe I'm misremembering, or maybe it was related to going to some other country. Any clues much appreciated, and thanks again.

/Neil

[CJ22]

Welcome Neil. Can't help you with the mog, there's no quarantine from the UK. But age shouldn't be a problem - points do go down with age, but not by very much.

[JandM]

Hello, Neil, and welcome.:)

I suggest you PM forum member Dilanium, who has, I know, been investigating all the procedures for bringing her cat from the US to NZ. I'm sure she's well placed to tell you what you need to know.

You need to do a few more posts - once you've done 5, you'll be able to send and receive PMs.

[dbonnett]

Hi Neil,
As a principal applicant who is about to hit 43, I can personally attest to NZ letting us "older" types in.. Our initial request didn't happen until I was 41.

On the quarantine, I know that you can shorten dogs' time to 30 days by pre-staging tests and I think the same applies to cats, but I don't want to promise.

BTW: You will have a place to stay in Nelson when you do your tour - I am a huge fan of CGOAB and we would be honored to have you guys visit! (Funny how small the world is, huh? ;) )

[StevieD]

Welcome guys, can definitely say that you can apply if you over 40 as I bear witness - as someone said, 55 is the age limit.

Good luck

[shakyle2906]

Yes, hubby was going on 42 when we got here and no questions asked!

Sharon

[mgf]

Can honestly say that is not the case as i was 45 when I applied.

[lockstock]

My OH and I have both reached our half century and we weren't rejected! In fact, looking around there's a huge 'senior' workforce. So come on you young whippersnappers and go for it:clap

[gil]

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12449&highlight=emigrated

I knew there was a poll on this question somewhere....
Gil

(We started the process at 45 and 46 and have been here 18 months nearly)

[mesh2008]

over 40 is not a problem :) good luck