[skibumwa]

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since I have been out here... Hey many of you might remember this post I made a while back:

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14668

Anyway, I recently went to Malaysia to see my girlfriend and meet her large Chinese family. I was there for 15 days and had a very cultural and warm experience. During this time, her family fully accepted me and I (we) realised that we wanted to get married. We are not engaged, yet as I am waiting until she moves back to New Zealand to do that :).

Now the hard part uuugh... dealing with the immigrations processes :(. Since we never legally lived together (due the short timeframe we had here in NZ together), she cannot apply for PR under sponsorship, but she can apply for a 12 month work permit under sponsorship. Now this also a problem because NZIS says that we probably are not "committed" relationship because we never lived together. Eh? :uhoh I feel more committed to her (being 8000kms away) than most live-in boyfriends probably feel about their partners here in Welly! Anyway, we have these 2 choices to get her down here in Welly so we can begin the rest of our lives together...

a) Apply for a 12 month work permit under partner sponsorship (risky - might be denied because we never legally lived together)

b) she can apply for a 9 month visitor visa with the documented full intention of staying permanently with me here in NZ. Easier to get, but she feels not so good about moving across the world on a 'visitor' visa..

We have plans to get her here by 15/12/2008. From what I am told by NZIS Singapore, a 12 month work visa under sponsorship is only valid for 3 months until it expires (it must be activated in Auckland Airport within 90 days upon issuance from NZIS).

I need advice because I know we are in love and want to be married, but NZIS is already making this hard on us. We have tons of photos of us from here in NZ and photos from Malaysia showing us sooo happy together AND photos of me with her huge family as well. We have letters of support from friends etc saying we are indeed together and have been in committed relationship since we basically met (yes love at 1st kiss sort of thing).

What more do we need to get the 12 month work permit under sponsorship?
Is NZIS really sticklers about this or will they try to keep us apart simply because we never legally lived together; one NZ Perm resident and his partner who want to get married.

Did I mention that in her culture it's not really allowed to live with a man before she is married to him. Can I use that for our favour when we apply for her move to NZ?

Please help....

cheers,

John

[wiki]

First, congratulations to you both - it's wonderful that you're both so happy with each other.

I read your post and felt for you, but I also started thinking like a devil's advocate.

I don't mean this to be offensive - I'm just trying to think like NZIS.

Answer this for me:

A sex-trafficker plans to bring out a Malaysian girl on a false partnership visa and then exploit her in the sex trade. He pays a western guy with PR to play the boyfriend. He promises him free sex with his hookers, some money or drugs, or both - plus an all expenses paid trip to Malaysia to meet her "family".

Sex trafficker tells the girl he's getting her a student visa so she can better herself and send money back for her family so she pretends to be in love too.

What proof do you have that the above version of events isn't the truth in your circumstance??

The reason the living together/joint bills factor is one of the partnership sponsorship rules is to stop that sort of thing. Sadly, it happens and it happens far too often around the world.

Having a couple live together for 12 months is a difficult requirement if the relationship isn't genuine and so NZIS thinks that a pretty fool-proof and not too difficult a requirement for most couples.

Yes there will be genuine couples in your circumstance and yes the rules do disadvantage you.

I don't know what proof you can give to NZIS short of moving to Malaysia for a year and living in the same town as your fiancee to be ... perhaps NZIS thinks that being with the person you love is more important than where you live?

Again, I hope my post didn't cause offence - I'm merely trying to illustrate why NZIS is suspicious of the validity of your relationship.

We had lived together for five years before we applied through partnership, and we were still terrified that NZIS would find a reason not to believe we were a genuine couple - so I do know what you're feeling.

best of luck - I hope there is a way for you to be together

[JandM]

I don't know anything to tell you, but wish you both all the very best.:)

[eternalkiwi]

Based on my experience with applying for a partnership visa, you do need to prove that you are currently living together or living as a couple AND have a genuine stable relationship.

I have heard of people who have successfully applied for the Partnership Work Visa after living together for only a few weeks, but you do need to be a couple.

The only exception I know of are Culturally Arranged marriages, which allow intending couples to receive a Work Visa provided they will marry within 3 months.

Shawn

[skibumwa]

I hear what you are saying, but I have at least 3 NZ Citizens & 2 NZ residents who can vouch for my committed relationship with my GF since last July. They are even going to attach signed letters with photocopies of their NZ Passports or UK Passports with PR stickers as backup.

If NZIS is going to be a bunch of paranoid jerks about this as you are suggesting might be the case, I will leave the country after I get done my 1st 2 yrs of PR and take my highly sought after IT skills they need so much here and never come back. NZIS did so much to get my PR passed in speed, I am sure they'd not want to get me angry enough to leave this beautiful place for good.

Also, I have her full passport name on my insurance policies and my ANZ bank statements. She has legitimate office work experience here in NZ already, it's just her work visa expired near the end of last year..

Tell me, what do you think about those evidences?

Cheers,

John



First, congratulations to you both - it's wonderful that you're both so happy with each other.

I read your post and felt for you, but I also started thinking like a devil's advocate.

I don't mean this to be offensive - I'm just trying to think like NZIS.

Answer this for me:

A sex-trafficker plans to bring out a Malaysian girl on a false partnership visa and then exploit her in the sex trade. He pays a western guy with PR to play the boyfriend. He promises him free sex with his hookers, some money or drugs, or both - plus an all expenses paid trip to Malaysia to meet her "family".

Sex trafficker tells the girl he's getting her a student visa so she can better herself and send money back for her family so she pretends to be in love too.

What proof do you have that the above version of events isn't the truth in your circumstance??

The reason the living together/joint bills factor is one of the partnership sponsorship rules is to stop that sort of thing. Sadly, it happens and it happens far too often around the world.

Having a couple live together for 12 months is a difficult requirement if the relationship isn't genuine and so NZIS thinks that a pretty fool-proof and not too difficult a requirement for most couples.

Yes there will be genuine couples in your circumstance and yes the rules do disadvantage you.

I don't know what proof you can give to NZIS short of moving to Malaysia for a year and living in the same town as your fiancee to be ... perhaps NZIS thinks that being with the person you love is more important than where you live?

Again, I hope my post didn't cause offence - I'm merely trying to illustrate why NZIS is suspicious of the validity of your relationship.

We had lived together for five years before we applied through partnership, and we were still terrified that NZIS would find a reason not to believe we were a genuine couple - so I do know what you're feeling.

best of luck - I hope there is a way for you to be together

[Potato]

I hear what you are saying, but I have at least 3 NZ Citizens & 2 NZ residents who can vouch for my committed relationship with my GF since last July. They are even going to attach signed letters with photocopies of their NZ Passports or UK Passports with PR stickers as backup.

If NZIS is going to be a bunch of paranoid jerks about this as you are suggesting might be the case, I will leave the country after I get done my 1st 2 yrs of PR and take my highly sought after IT skills they need so much here and never come back. NZIS did so much to get my PR passed in speed, I am sure they'd not want to get me angry enough to leave this beautiful place for good.

Also, I have her full passport name on my insurance policies and my ANZ bank statements. She has legitimate office work experience here in NZ already, it's just her work visa expired near the end of last year..

Tell me, what do you think about those evidences?

Cheers,

John

It's a difficult situation, and I wish you luck. If they are awkward it is not because they're "paranoid jerks" it is because of the policy. It's frustrating but quite often they will stick rigidly to policy because they have to. However, I think what you're offering will help alot, especially insurance and bank statements.

[wiki]

If they are paranoid, it's only because the system has been abused before.

joint bank and insurance documents should be a big help - especially bank since you don't let anyone you don't trust have withdrawal access to all your cash. Sworn statements aren't worth much, because too many people in the world can be paid to put their name to something. NZIS won't have any recourse to those people if they find out later that they lied.

It's not about the job you do or the skills you have - it's making sure that everyone granted residency in NZ deserves it.

I'm glad NZ is picky - even if that pickiness caused worry for ourselves and most other people on this forum.

I'd rather be in a country that has tight, transparent immigration rules, rather than the free-for-all we left in the UK.

[JandM]

I respect your strong feelings, and wish you well.

But I would point out that almost everyone who is hoping to immigrate to NZ by any of the sponsorship routes has strong feelings, and also the conviction that because THEY know they're genuine, they ought to be a special case. Look at us. Our son will sponsor us in under parental sponsorship, no problem. We'd really love to be there NOW. We're not getting any younger, and our grandchildren are growing all the time, and we'd LOVE to be part of their childhood. But I'm the support for my frail 87-year-old mother, who lives alone but needs to know there's backup to come at once if need be, and I'm her only child, and I love her. There's NO way I could leave her for three years till I acquired the right to sponsor her in, and she wouldn't pass the medical anyway, not even right now, still less with the passage of time. So we're stuck. Look, NZIS, let us bring her with us - just ONE little old lady extra on the health scheme for the little time she has left isn't so much to ask, is it? She's been to NZ on a visit - she'd LOVE to live in a granny-flat and see a bit of her great-grandchildren while she can. But it won't work, however frustrated we feel. Can you imagine what it's like to know that every thought of 'Oh, I wish I was in NZ' is necessarily the equivalent to wishing my mother dead?

[skibumwa]

I think you misread my intentions here...

My goal is to get my GF a work VISA under sponsorship, NOT A PR under sponsorship. We are more than happy to live together here in Welly legally under one roof for a year so she can be eligible for PR under sponsorship later on. We are in love and might just agree to get married w/in 3 months per the arranged marriage route. We are planning on that anyway for sometime in the future... :yes ;)

Yes the bank account and insurance is helpful I agree.

I don't know much about the UK Immigrations sorry.. cannot comment on that..





It's not about the job you do or the skills you have - it's making sure that everyone granted residency in NZ deserves it.

I'm glad NZ is picky - even if that pickiness caused worry for ourselves and most other people on this forum.

I'd rather be in a country that has tight, transparent immigration rules, rather than the free-for-all we left in the UK.

[Leccy-Lee]

UK immigration = "come on in...... here have a house, a free income, what else would you like for free, our taxpayers more than happy to work hard for you to bring your 20+ family members over? your a possible terrorist? no problem, always room for a few more"

Me cynical?

[wiki]

Didn't misunderstand you at all - if you're coming into NZ whether on PR or work visa it makes no difference if you plan to "disappear" once you've arrived and so NZIS is just as careful in all circumstances.

There are dozens of people who were granted work or student visas and never left when they expired - they just stayed under official radars.

And without sounding xenophobic (I have a Vietnamese brother-in-law and a Chinese sister-in-law) the biggest incidents of overstaying and illegal entry into NZ is from south east Asian countries, which makes NZIS even more "paranoid".

Again, I'm not suggesting that this is the circumstance in your case - but the rule is you can only sponsor someone if you have close family connections or a proven genuine, stable AND lasting relationship.

I wish you all the luck in the world to find a solution.

[JandM]

In answer to what Lee said, it's all changing...

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2008-02-07/uk/new-points-based-system-begins-february.htm

[skibumwa]

I respect your strong feelings, and wish you well.

But I would point out that almost everyone who is hoping to immigrate to NZ by any of the sponsorship routes has strong feelings, and also the conviction that because THEY know they're genuine, they ought to be a special case. Look at us. Our son will sponsor us in under parental sponsorship, no problem. We'd really love to be there NOW. We're not getting any younger, and our grandchildren are growing all the time, and we'd LOVE to be part of their childhood. But I'm the support for my frail 87-year-old mother, who lives alone but needs to know there's backup to come at once if need be, and I'm her only child, and I love her. There's NO way I could leave her for three years till I acquired the right to sponsor her in, and she wouldn't pass the medical anyway, not even right now, still less with the passage of time. So we're stuck. Look, NZIS, let us bring her with us - just ONE little old lady extra on the health scheme for the little time she has left isn't so much to ask, is it? She's been to NZ on a visit - she'd LOVE to live in a granny-flat and see a bit of her great-grandchildren while she can. But it won't work, however frustrated we feel. Can you imagine what it's like to know that every thought of 'Oh, I wish I was in NZ' is necessarily the equivalent to wishing my mother dead?

I am sorry about your mother and how NZIS has denied you. I was almost denied from a high cholesterol! I then lowered it and got approved for my work permit has July. I guess there is no hope to get her here? Or is there? at all? Please don't think what you said about your Mum being dead. I don't have my mum anymore and it's sad when Mum's day comes around each year. I know you want to be here in NZ, but your Mum is important too.

For me and my GF, she is in perfect health and could land a job within 2 weeks if I can sponsor her. You all here are right that NZIS has to follow rules.

I do want to marry her so we might just go the "culturally arranged marriage" route and promise NZIS to get married by the 90 day mark. We would still have the proper ceremony back in S.E. Asia with her family anyway so in reality, what's the difference? Anybody have comments on the culturally arranged marriage route?

cheers,

John

[skibumwa]

And without sounding xenophobic (I have a Vietnamese brother-in-law and a Chinese sister-in-law) the biggest incidents of overstaying and illegal entry into NZ is from south east Asian countries, which makes NZIS even more "paranoid".



My GF has prior work experience here in NZ under a legitimate NZ work visa. She left the day her work visa expired as NZIS & NZ Customs expected her to do. NZIS has record of all of that. I am sponsoring her. I am easy to track down b/c I am a Perm Resident & work for the NZ Government. I guess you all think I am trying sponsor a terrorist..? eh? Do me a favour and don't reply to this post if you are going to be rude or say something I might deem as being 'rude'.

I am looking for people who have been down & who can offer advice from their experiences on this unique path I am going down now. The last thing I need is bunch of rude comments about terrorism or prostitution. Geesh people... please...

Have a good night..
John

[skibumwa]

xx

[Leccy-Lee]

???

No offence John, (although something tells me you may take it?)
But i dont think anybody has been rude at all and is offering there advice and experience as they see it. You politely asked for peoples thoughts, and thats what has been given.

Taking a deep breath and losing the "chip on your shoulder" may help get a little further my friend. Thinking of NZIS as "paranoid jerks" and people offering there thoughts as "rude and offensive" isn't really going to help anyone.

I know only too well about rules and policies messing with your life, hell i am now in the country without a legal visa now, but i still know everyone at NZIS is doing what they can to help me and sort things out for me, i could lose my rag with them but will that help?

And in all fairness as much as i believe in "love at first sight" and feelings, i totally agree with them being cautious and if it means hassle and waiting for the two of you then so be it, it assures people dont get in by the back door. Hell coming from the USA i would have thought you know better than anybody here about strict vetting and proving of relationships etc, i mean most people wont even visit the US on vacations anymore as its too much hassle proving your not a terrorist, so welcome to our world.

Seriously though i wish you both the very best, but please take a deep breath and dont jump down peoples throats that are trying to help.

[skibumwa]

Hi Lee-

Well I am reading comparisons to my situation to other men who tried to bring SE Asian girls here for prostitution so sorry but yes I get alarmed by that. I know NZIS has to follow rules, but how do they expect me to "live" with someone in a relationship from DAY 1 of her and I meeting then 3 months later she has to leave because her work visa expired? In an ideal world sure, but in reality many people who are meant for each pass eachother like ships in the night at sea or people who meet on a red-eye flight from LAX to Miami. They fall in love but live at the other side of the country from eachother. My situation similar except her and I are 5000 miles apart and in different countries. I have all the possible proof that we are a real couple except a flat lease w/my and her name on it. It's hard sell to NZIS I guess...

Anyway, how in the world are you here illegally with NZIS knowing about it? Are you working now? What is the hold up with your work visa or PR?

Thanks for the good words!

John




???

No offence John, (although something tells me you may take it?)
But i dont think anybody has been rude at all and is offering there advice and experience as they see it. You politely asked for peoples thoughts, and thats what has been given.

Taking a deep breath and losing the "chip on your shoulder" may help get a little further my friend. Thinking of NZIS as "paranoid jerks" and people offering there thoughts as "rude and offensive" isn't really going to help anyone.

I know only too well about rules and policies messing with your life, hell i am now in the country without a legal visa now, but i still know everyone at NZIS is doing what they can to help me and sort things out for me, i could lose my rag with them but will that help?

And in all fairness as much as i believe in "love at first sight" and feelings, i totally agree with them being cautious and if it means hassle and waiting for the two of you then so be it, it assures people dont get in by the back door. Hell coming from the USA i would have thought you know better than anybody here about strict vetting and proving of relationships etc, i mean most people wont even visit the US on vacations anymore as its too much hassle proving your not a terrorist, so welcome to our world.

Seriously though i wish you both the very best, but please take a deep breath and dont jump down peoples throats that are trying to help.

[Moorf]

Hey John, I think everyone was just demonstrating how Immigration's thought-processes work. While we all know you to be genuine (no one is doubting that) your situation is such that it is going to be highlighted and scrutinized and yes, you may fall foul of red tape and not meet their criteria but I'm afraid that true-love probably doesn't really come into the picture in their view... plus the actions of unscrupulous people smugglers that have caused this problem for you...

[Leccy-Lee]

Yup. its the old "one person ruins it for everyone else" trick... Someone broke the rules once (well probably loads) so now we are ALL scrutinised like ants under a microscope!

And John, NZIS do know my permits run out! The official line is "we are processing your new permit, but right now you have no permit Sir"....oh the joy! So hey, i know how you feel, i promise you i do..

[Sam B]

I can't understand why NZIS would make these sorts of links - i.e. sex trafficking or prostitution in this scenario. That seems irrelevant. Are people suggesting these issues just because his girlfriend is from Malaysia? Surely John just needs advice from people who have been in the same situation - i.e. trying to prove a committed relationship exists, regardless of what country his girlfriend is from.

[dusk]

John,

i think the main trouble is that your relationship is outside the 'norm' that NZIS has set for its sponsorship conditions. If you gather all the back-up information that you can and then try and talk face to face with someone at immigration and see if they can offer any useful suggestions, or suggest other routes which make work for you both

As I say your circumstances sound quite unique and I'm not sure anyone here will have relevant experience to pass on to you, but I am sure we all wish you the best of luck. i don't think people were trying to apply their comments to your situation, just trying to point out what the stance of NZIS is based upon historically speaking.

[skibumwa]

I can't understand why NZIS would make these sorts of links - i.e. sex trafficking or prostitution in this scenario. That seems irrelevant. Are people suggesting these issues just because his girlfriend is from Malaysia? Surely John just needs advice from people who have been in the same situation - i.e. trying to prove a committed relationship exists, regardless of what country his girlfriend is from.


Thank you Sam for this bold comment. I would also like to know why this 'sex trafficking' comment was raised. Well can someone please answer Sam's question here please...

Sam and I are listening for the answer to this question.. Thank you..

[Jo Jo]

I hear what you are saying, but I have at least 3 NZ Citizens & 2 NZ residents who can vouch for my committed relationship with my GF since last July. They are even going to attach signed letters with photocopies of their NZ Passports or UK Passports with PR stickers as backup.

<snip>

Also, I have her full passport name on my insurance policies and my ANZ bank statements. She has legitimate office work experience here in NZ already, it's just her work visa expired near the end of last year..

Tell me, what do you think about those evidences?

Cheers,

John

Hi John,

My situation was different to yours as I applied for PR as my (then) boyfriend (now husband) and I had been living together for long enough to do that straight off, but we submitted letters from friends and family as evidence of our relationship, and also bank statements showing money going backwards and forwards, and NZIS kept that information until they granted my visa, so it does help.

One thing about our situation that was similar to yours is that we lived apart (I in the the UK and he in Africa) for 8 months, and we had to provide evidence of how we maintained our relationship during that time.

On NZIS it says "If you have been living apart from your partner for any significant period during your relationship, you must also provide evidence of the length of any periods of separation, the reasons for them, and how your relationship was maintained during these periods. "

For this I provided emails (not many, as most of them were too lovey-dovey for any other eyes!), phone bills showing calls to him, letters and post cards. If you haven't got this sort of "hard" evidence, then start building it up now, as it will all help.

Finally, I know it is possible to get a work visa for your girlfriend in your situation (i.e. when you haven't been living together), as someone I know in our town did, but he said it was very hard, and he had to battle a lot of racism and prejudice to get it (I can't remember where his girlfriend was living exactly, but I'm sure it was Malaysia or Indonesia). I can't remember the full details of his situation, but he is now married to his girlfriend and has a beautiful son, so there is hope for you yet!

He is still very angry about the whole experience several years later, as he had to put up with the same comments of the "Well, your girlfriend's Asian... ... she's just trying to get a visa... well you have to understand why the government is making it so hard for you with all this sex-trafficking..." type. As he said, if your girlfriend wasn't Asian, people wouldn't say these things. Ignore them.

Anyway, good luck with it all.

Jo Jo

[Moorf]

I can't understand why NZIS would make these sorts of links - i.e. sex trafficking or prostitution in this scenario. That seems irrelevant. Are people suggesting these issues just because his girlfriend is from Malaysia?

You really can't see why NZIS would make these links and perhaps err on the side of caution more so than, say, processing an Asian/American couple who had been together for 12 mths or so and were married? Unfortunately it's the way it is, and I really hope no-one's going to pull the racist / PC card here, their increased scrutiny of the matter is mostly because of what has come before... they're just more sensitive to this sort of scenario

[Jo Jo]

You really can't see why NZIS would make these links and perhaps err on the side of caution more so than, say, processing an Asian/American couple who had been together for 12 mths or so and were married? Unfortunately it's the way it is, and I really hope no-one's going to pull the racist / PC card here, their increased scrutiny of the matter is mostly because of what has come before... they're just more sensitive to this sort of scenario

Sorry, Moorf, you're missing the point. skibumwa isn't talking about partnership PR (for which you do have to live together for 12 months), but the partnership work visa (which is for partners wishing to join their OH's in NZ temporarily, until such time as they have been living together for long enough to apply for PR). The key point about skibumwa's situation is that he and his girlfriend's relationship is relatively new, and that they don't live together. The fact that skibumwa's girlfriend is Asian and lives in Malaysia is neither here nor there.

But (pulling out my "racist/ PC card" and waving it about :D), if his girlfriend was, for example, a white American, sex-trafficking probably wouldn't have been mentioned.

[Moorf]

But (pulling out my "racist/ PC card" and waving it about ), if his girlfriend was, for example, a white American, sex-trafficking probably wouldn't have been mentioned.

:D

That's right.. but why do you think that is? It's because historically the problems with sex trafficing (or whatever other dodgy practices are going on), ie. the problems that have been plaguing NZ for years have, in the main, like it or not, involved predominantly Asian women that have been used and abused by their own nationalities and others in this way. It's not picking on a particular race, it's just responding to what's actually happening.. unfortunate as it is...

Thanks for explaining the visa situation - you're right, I hadn't realised the difference in requirements.

[JandM]

Please don't think what you said about your Mum being dead. I don't have my mum anymore and it's sad when Mum's day comes around each year. I know you want to be here in NZ, but your Mum is important too.Oh, for goodness' sake! I'm not going to get on my high horse and be offended, but you have misread my post here rather dramatically.

I didn't mean I go around going, 'I wish my mother was dead.' I meant that I have to back off every (perfectly natural) thought of looking forward to being in NZ, and wishing I could be with my son and his family now, enjoying their company, because it CAN'T happen until my mother is no longer with us. I can't have the company of one generation, because I'm needed by the other generation. My loving feelings pull me both ways. The regulations won't let me put the two generations together, because, even if it were possible to sponsor her at once (which it isn't), my mother has chronic medical conditions, and they'd never accept her.

I only mentioned this situation to illustrate that immigration regulations can cut across different bits of family life - they're not just being personally obstructive to you, John.

[skibumwa]

Sorry about that I never meant that as I thought you wanted your Mum dead.. It was late + I was tired when I read your post and replied to it. I read it out of context.

peace

Oh, for goodness' sake! I'm not going to get on my high horse and be offended, but you have misread my post here rather dramatically.

I didn't mean I go around going, 'I wish my mother was dead.' I meant that I have to back off every (perfectly natural) thought of looking forward to being in NZ, and wishing I could be with my son and his family now, enjoying their company, because it CAN'T happen until my mother is no longer with us.

[skibumwa]

Sorry, Moorf, you're missing the point. skibumwa isn't talking about partnership PR (for which you do have to live together for 12 months), but the partnership work visa (which is for partners wishing to join their OH's in NZ temporarily, until such time as they have been living together for long enough to apply for PR). The key point about skibumwa's situation is that he and his girlfriend's relationship is relatively new, and that they don't live together. The fact that skibumwa's girlfriend is Asian and lives in Malaysia is neither here nor there.

But (pulling out my "racist/ PC card" and waving it about :D), if his girlfriend was, for example, a white American, sex-trafficking probably wouldn't have been mentioned.

My GF and I have been in a monogamous relationship since last July. I would not quite call it a "relatively new" relationship as we are well past that point. However we are not an "old geezer" couple either. We are just 2 people who know we want eachother as one's life partners. I am quite happy with her, and once we get over this immigration hurdle, all will we very good.

[skibumwa]

For this I provided emails (not many, as most of them were too lovey-dovey for any other eyes!), phone bills showing calls to him, letters and post cards. If you haven't got this sort of "hard" evidence, then start building it up now, as it will all help.

Jo Jo

Hi Jojo..

Withregards to record keeping, I use Skype to send her SMS txts to her Malaysian cel phone & to do video calls. I have ALL of these records dating back from 3 days after she moved back to Malaysia (mid last October). Half of these say something like "i luv u" or "wo xiang ni (I miss you)" or something sappy like that. I also have every email I have ever sent to her (& ones she sent to me) as well as photos of us from date #1 in July 07 to the last time I saw her in malaysia. I will print all of these out, killing a small tree in the process I suppose, but NZIS will have a catalog of SMS txs and emails to read (from last October to present) through as proof we are serious about eachother.

I am good at this sort of stuff and planned well ahead.. :nice1 Now I hope NZIS likes it...

:confused:
John

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Blimey John, a few emotions stirred up here, but an interesting debate none the less.

My only advice would be to do what you feel is right for you. If you believe in it (and feel you can justifiably provide enough supporting documentation) then that should come across in any negotiations you enter into with NZIS should it come to it. They are just people after all.

12 month partnership working visa sounds like the way to go and what you want, so go for it.

Best wishes.

[urban78]

Thank you Sam for this bold comment. I would also like to know why this 'sex trafficking' comment was raised. Well can someone please answer Sam's question here please...

Sam and I are listening for the answer to this question.. Thank you..

They do check this out..although from what I read you are genuine, heaps of people have abused the system and they are to blame for the tight regulations :no

One of my former workmates works at Immigration at the airport and was telling me how they deported a couple of Thai girls who came on a working holiday but got concerned when asking them basic questions when their passports got stamped at the counter, and that there were too many inconsistencies. They checked a few things and called the number they gave immigration for the person due to pick them up and NZIS found out they were brought here by some guy in CHC who was going to employ them in a brothel like place

It is a tricky situation but NZIS staff and customs at the airport are always on high alert when it comes to this kind of stuff.

I really hope you are able to bring your girlfriend to NZ, all the best :)

Jen

[Probyn]

Contact this immigration lawyer.

They got me a visa,are very good,honest etc

jay@immigrationlaw-nz.com

[skibumwa]

They do check this out..although from what I read you are genuine, heaps of people have abused the system and they are to blame for the tight regulations :no

One of my former workmates works at Immigration at the airport and was telling me how they deported a couple of Thai girls who came on a working holiday but got concerned when asking them basic questions when their passports got stamped at the counter, and that there were too many inconsistencies. They checked a few things and called the number they gave immigration for the person due to pick them up and NZIS found out they were brought here by some guy in CHC who was going to employ them in a brothel like place

It is a tricky situation but NZIS staff and customs at the airport are always on high alert when it comes to this kind of stuff.

I really hope you are able to bring your girlfriend to NZ, all the best :)

Jen

Thanks for wishing me the best, but why do people keep bring up talk about brothels and prostitution? If my girlfriend was WHITE girl from the Europe (Eg. Germany) would you be all saying this still?

We are just 2 people who are together trying to get through an immigration process + we seek advice on a unique situation. Please stop with the 'Asian girl race card' prostitution chitter chatter. I think it's very rude, especially so to ALL Southeast Asian girls who might be reading this trying to decide on emigrating to NZ or not.

OK? Are we all done with the stereotypes and reading race cards? :confused: Everyone here on this forum is from all over the world... we are ALL different except for one common interest which is to LIVE in NZ!

Have a good evening, morning or afternoon!

[skibumwa]

PS. last time I checked, prostitution and brothels exists almost everywhere around the world in almost every country right? Peace and good night from NZ...

[eternalkiwi]

Like others have said, I would recommend going through the NZIS guide and collect evidence of all the areas NZIS mention.

If you can 'paint' a picture that meets their outline and demonstrates that you are (like) a genuine couple together in a stable relationship, (that doesn't provide any doubts or grey clouds to appear), then immigration are usually fairly reasonable.

While immigration are cautious of inter-cultural relationships (not sure if your ethnicity is also from Asia) they are aware they exist. As a partner sponsored work permit is usually for 6-18 months they also have a kind of insurance policy on their decision to grant the visa/permit.

Shawn

[thejoz]

UK immigration =

Me cynical?

Well said! :cheers

Quote: Now this also a problem because NZIS says that we probably are not "committed" relationship because we never lived together.

I see your point try and argue that, good luck.