[castleclan]

I was searching to try and find out how long you have from getting a skilled migrant approval to having to be in NZ. Another thread, which is now closed, pointed out that; if within a year you activate residency by visiting NZ, you could have up to another 2 years to become permanent residents. It also mentioned something about not sending in passports immediately so that the blue sticker date was later.
Could someone help to clarify whether the date starts from the approval or the blue stickers being in the passport (and if its blue stickers, how much longer this could extend the time)?
Not that I want to delay this any longer, but circumstances mean we can't go yet.

[Hejwitch_uk]

From my (limited) understanding, when you get approval, you also get a date that you must submit your passports to NZIS. This is approx 6 months after the approval. You then have 12 months from the date of the visas being issued in your passports to enter NZ. This 'triggers' your visa. When you receive the visa, you also receive a RRV which gives you another year. Not as clear on how the RRV's work (other than to know that you have to live in NZ for 2 years before you can apply for the I(Indefinite) RRV. All obviously IMHO. When we got approval, we were given until Feb 2009 to submit passports. We submitted them pretty quickly and were issued with them on 20 Sept. We have unitl 20 Sept 2009 to enter NZ. I just hope my house sells before then :wah

[NZ Hopeful]

Try and PM AndyDee, I would imagine she will be able to help you, I think they have first hand experience of time limits due to expire etc. :)

[castleclan]

Thanks. Looks like date is from approval when ever you submit your passports. Will try and PM AndyDee.