[Leccy-Lee]

Totally out of the blue today i got a message to "go collect your passport from consultants".. To which i look worried and bemused, i mean i only just got a visa extension a couple weeks ago?

On getting to consultants (me still no idea whats happening) i was given my passport back from NZIS and told "They have given you another extension for a full year until End Sep 2009 and Immigration quote *so as medical assessment can be continued and processed further*"
:confused: :confused:

NOW, of course on the one-hand its great news as they now allowed me to stay here for another year and its all less panic, panic. Sure i am not complaining over the new expire date.

BUT, the pessimist and sceptic in me says WHY? The visa i had was for another 5months plus, i have just finished having another 3 extra tests for the MA (totally 7 extra tests since ITA) and hes got those back.... When they send this through today? Now if that visas 5mths wasn't already enough for the MA to finally make a decision and then NZIS decline or approve then why on earth have they decided randomly (without any asking from us) to add a whole year for "furthering medical assessment" ?? Does this mean the MA is planning another years worth of extra tests (maybe hes trying for 2-3 tests each month!!! GGRRR)

Sorry, i know the offer of another year worry free living and working here should be great news. BUT theres something very worrying about this to me, short of dissecting my body and gluing it back together i think hes already covered it. And if they think i can spent another year in limbo after 13mths in limbo already!

Hmmm, what you think? What on earth are NZIS / MA plotting?

PS: Oh and the reason they said to collect passport was "As we wont be needing it anytime soon" !!! ?

[M-Squared]

Maybe they just realise how slow they can be and are extending their time too, accordingly. ;)

Great news though, I'll take a dancing banana for that! :D :raebanana

[wilson182]

Maybe they have taken on board the good steps you have already taken to improve your medical condition, and they want to give you time to bring your bmi etc down (because they are fairly confident that you will) so rather than a flat "No" it's "just what it says on the tin!!!!"LOL an extention to give you more time:nice1

[Leccy-Lee]

Wish i was as optimistic.
But no sadly my consultant said shes had that reason before (bmi) and they would have made that clear from the off, she was even bemused and thinks its a bad thing adding a whole year, coming from her expertise that cant be good.

[Caroline and Dave]

A Lady who lived in our comunnity until last week had something simialar to this and has just been granted PR after over 2 years.
She originaly came over on a 1 year work visa and when this was due to expire she applied for PR but was turned down because she had an overactive thyroid. She was given another years visa and was told to reapply for PR about 3 months before expiry. this she done and her results had improved and they gave her PR. She just had to take another medical when she reapplied and they compared the results. they probably want to make sure you do not get any worse I suppose.

[Leccy-Lee]

As we think thats not the reason, else they would have said... The said to "further" the medical assessment :(

[andrewp]

Hoo Hum - will we ever fully understand NZIS. Whatever the reasons, good luck and keep working on expat-fm in the mean time!

[dusk]

I would think that as with most of these things there isn't a lot of communication between departments and the MA getting the medical info through hasn't filtered through to the visa issuing department, I wouldn't think it's anything to fret about :)

[victoria24]

lee, cant you change tack and go for a business visa on the back of your expat station?

[Leccy-Lee]

I hope that wasn't serious Victoria?

If it was, then i think you maybe one of many that is over-blown the radio idea i am working on (oops). Its purely a bit of fun webcasting, couple of 3-4hr shows a week of me playing my tunes (and your requests) and having some chat on my computer to anyone who listens, think Wayne's world but radio... Blimey, bit worried now! Do people think i am setting up a professional full blown radio station? Considering i generally broke permanently that be hard work, my budget is $0 ....

[CJ22]

I guess with you being so out-there on your own and feeling a bit vulnerable, every unexpected thing is a source of stress. Keep your chin up fella.

[Leccy-Lee]

I guess with you being so out-there on your own and feeling a bit vulnerable, every unexpected thing is a source of stress. Keep your chin up fella.

Indeed mate, dont get me wrong a whole year now in NZ is awesome news :nice1 and i can plan my trip to 2009 Hamilton400 now!:cheers
I just hope NZIS dont turn it into another year of being prodded and poked by doctors and running up huge medical bills! Which i fear they are planning...

[Chaz]

Indeed mate, dont get me wrong a whole year now in NZ is awesome news :nice1 and i can plan my trip to 2009 Hamilton400 now!:cheers
I just hope NZIS dont turn it into another year of being prodded and poked by doctors and running up huge medical bills! Which i fear they are planning...

Just looked - Hamilton 400 looks awesome. Might join you at that.

[lockstock]

That'll be your place booked for the V8s next year then Lee???

[CJ22]

Just looked - Hamilton 400 looks awesome. Might join you at that.

We should have a forum day out for that. I'll come!

[Leccy-Lee]

That will be cool, i cant deny the 400 weekend was my best in NZ yet, mainly as a motorsport nutter you see! Theres some my photos from Hamilton at the bottom of my gallery here: http://gallery.me.com/leemartinbennett

And Gilly, that would be great :) but dont forgot you agreed to come along for a day out this time too :)

[Leccy-Lee]

Hmm still confused after i got the letter from agent about my new visa today.
I quote

"Lee, your medical has not been cleared and NZIS are not waiving it for your application, your residence case officer is to deal with your medical directly from now on. If a decision of residence isn't reached by the time this visa runs out then no further extensions can be applied."

We havent applied for any waiver yet? As the MA only got the final test results back today? I have no idea who my Case Officer is, as everything is through the agent. Hmm, seems i might have to speak to NZIS directly to get any answers!

[NZ Hopeful]

That sounds as clear as mud :eek:

Hope you get it sorted soon Lee, if they gave residency for sheer determination you would be granted it in a hearbeat!

[skibumwa]

Hi Lee,
I'd be concerned from this new free 1 year pass from NZIS. Nothing is free in life except the fresh air here in NZ and the friendly smiles from strangers on the streets (not counting Auckland - haha!) . Anyway, I'd say you have 1 year to sort out all your medical stuff (eg. lower your BMI, bla bla bla, etc). I actually know an immigration officer (my neighbour) and she read your blog here. She said, normally someone with a BMI that is very high just gets denied due to long term risk of high cost to the "system". As we all know, the major concern is that NZIS does not want to be held accountable if you end up costing the free public health system a lot of money in 10+ years. I am no Dr or Registered Nurse, but I can say that as we get older and if a person is very overweight, the chances to get diabetes rises significantly. The cost to treat diabetes is very expensive.

Looking at NZIS, I think it's terribly irresponsible of NZIS to give you a new 1 year VISA extension without any very detailed explanation as to why they did this or what they expect from you now. I'd try to get this rather critical info from your immigration consultant; if they cannot get the info you need, then you could fire them for doing a crap job. Hell you save some money from their fees at least. :cool: Just my 2 cents worth...

Good luck!

John

[skibumwa]

errr sorry. I did not see your last response. I replied from the 1st page of this post.

Good luck Lee!