[Stats_chick]

A few questions about submitting a work visa. How much time prior to our actual desire to move to NZ should I submit for a work visa? How long typically should it take for all the paperwork and what not to go through barring any difficulties?

I am a bit overwhelmed by all the different links that tell me how to go about applying and such but cannot seem to find information on the actual process and time frames.

Will I need to have a definite date that we are leaving before I apply? Can I do this in anticipation of moving like say 6 months or longer out from actual departure? Do you have time once you get the work visa before you leave? Hypothetically could you apply for a work visa say in November and not leave until say August of the next year? Would your time start from the day you leave or from when you get your visa?

I guess I need a NZ immigration and visas for dummies manual. :yes

[Flutterby]

i think it depends on which visa you are applying for, but if you are applying for Permanent Residence, you should get 2 years from when you receive your visa to go out to NZ to "activate" it.
Time lines seem to Vary immensely from person to person, some get it all sorted in less than three months, others can be waiting over a year, you can see some examples here: http://www.emigratenz.org/immigration-application-timings.html
I would have thought applying in November and going the following august was doable, but as the timings do vary you may find you have to knock back your moving date if it takes a bit longer to process, i wouldn't book your flights in advance of knowing your visa is on its way unless you get an open dated flight, so that you can change it if you need to.

[IanW99]

...
you should get 2 years from when you receive your visa to go out to NZ to "activate" it.
...


You have 12 months to activate it once the blue stickers (the visa) are put into your passport.

Ian

[Flutterby]

12 months? hmmm where did i get 2 years from? is it 2 years to use it once activated???

[kiwigirl]

For general work visa approx 3 months depending on which time of year, if you apply from Nov - Feb they are very busy with student visa's, plus they may do a labour market check on your application, that itself can take upto 6 weeks. This type of visa is activated from the minute it is authorised so the time you take to get to NZ is using up your visa.

Hannah

[IanW99]

12 months? hmmm where did i get 2 years from? is it 2 years to use it once activated???

Your first RRV is valid for 2 years from when it is first activated, so is that what you mean?

Ian

[Flutterby]

i think it must be, my apologies for the misinformation!