[Aims]

I would appreciate some advise please

Me and partners working holiday visa runs out on 7th August and we have applied for a general work permit. So i have around 4 weeks left, but not too concerned about myself its more about my partner. his work visa has been sent to a Medical Assesor because he was refererred to a cardiologist but he got all the clear. He got an email on 1st July from INZ saying that his application has been sent to an MA and this could take upto 3 weeks. We are currenty living and working in Auckland.

I am concerned that if the MA takes 3 weeks to approve this medical certificate that only leaves 2 weeks for the work visa to be granted.

My questions is what happens if his visa expires whilst still in process? Is he forced to stop work? Can he get an emergency visa extension? he doesnt want to stop work that is for sure.

Thanks in advance

[KerryS]

If his visa expires whilst processing for another visa ie, you've already put in the application for another visa, then you just have to pay an additional fee to NZIS for the processing.
He shouldn't have to stop work.

[kiwigirl]

Yes, he does have to stop work until his new visa is granted, could he not take holidays.?

Kiwigirl

[Aims]

ok thanks but very different answers there.... can anyone shed some light?

No he cannot really take holidays right now, he would much prefer to keep working and then maybe pay a processing fee like KerryS mentioned

I have seen something on here about being granted a temperary 3 month visa -has anybody heard of that?

[JandM]

Could you not contact the INZ office who sent the email, asking exactly what this means for his situation? (As nobody here seems to be leaping in with expert knowledge for the moment.)

[Aims]

they are not very helpful as you are probably aware and they just tell him not to worry about until nearer the time. i will tell him to keep trying though. i take it this has not happened to anyone before hence the unsure answers. but thanks for trying to help and fingers crossed i suppose!

[eternalkiwi]

Like Kerry, I have also heard from Immigration that they can extend an existing visa/permit if they have accepted an application for a renewal or new permit, though this policy may have changed.

Shawn

[Aims]

Looks like the worry is over, OH's visa arrived yesterday and we still have 3 weeks until current visa expires. in the end it took 3 weeks and 2 days from application to approval and thats including his application being sent off to MA. We were under the impression that it could take 3 weeks before the MA had even sent it back. He also didnt receive any email (or text) to say that a CO was now looking after it and the visa would processed in within 30 days like i did.
His online application medical statues changed from 4th July to 14th July to 16th and then his visa was finally approved on 17th July. So this change of date seems to be a good sign.

All in all it was a nice suprise that it came so soon, and a huge weight relief!

[JandM]

Congratulations!:clap

[dusk]

great news :)