[pleccy2000]

I came to NZ in September and I got a wonderful job offer in the CBD starting 1st December. All my belongings arrive in the container in 2 weeks.

I am back in the UK because i had some family issues in London i need to sort out (OH is still in WElly). I've been back in UK for 1 hour and on the plane i realized that my RRV expired on 11th November and therefore my residence has expired too! Now i am in a serious state of panic - what can i do?? ANY HELP will be so much appreciated, I think I'm going to have a a heart attack :(

[IanW99]

I came to NZ in September and I got a wonderful job offer in the CBD starting 1st December. All my belongings arrive in the container in 2 weeks.

I am back in the UK because i had some family issues in London i need to sort out (OH is still in WElly). I've been back in UK for 1 hour and on the plane i realized that my RRV expired on 11th November and therefore my residence has expired too! Now i am in a serious state of panic - what can i do?? ANY HELP will be so much appreciated, I think I'm going to have a a heart attack :(

Are you sure that it is your visa that has expired?

Your permit expires as soon as you leave NZ and you get granted a new one on arrival back in NZ

Ian

[pleccy2000]

Are you sure that it is your visa that has expired?

Your permit expires as soon as you leave NZ and you get granted a new one on arrival back in NZ

Ian

Ian,

Thanks for replying, I'm really panicing at the moment.

my permit does indeed say that it expires upon leaving NZ, but big blue PR sticker says ' must on arrive after 11 Nov 2008' !! (it was granted in Nov 2006)

[IanW99]

When did you get your RRV? The first RRV is (normally) valid for 2 years.

After this you get it changed to an IRRV?

Ian

[Moorf]

If your initial 2 yr RRV has run out you do, indeed, need to apply for an Indefinite RRV. For this there's a fee and I believe they'll want to see that you've lived in NZ for at least 184 days (off top of head) in each of those two years - also other policies come into play if you were still registered for tax in NZ I believe.

Previous thread, for info, contains info about not getting IRRVs and how to apply.. http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14054&highlight=%22early+IRRV%22

Seems you can apply while out of the country, too.

[Jo Jo]

When did you get your RRV? The first RRV is (normally) valid for 2 years.


Ian

Just to add to this, the RRV is usually valid for 2 years from when you received your first residence permit.

When did you get your first residence permit?

[pleccy2000]

Hi guys,

To fully explian

My original PR was issued in Aug 2004
Went to NZ Nov 2004 (which activated it)
Left NZ Feb 2005 (due to family health issues)
RRV was OK then as it ran to 21st NOv 2006
Then I couldn't get to NZ so wrote to NZIS who then granted me a 2 year extension and gave me a brand new 2 year RRV (that's the one that expired 2 days ago!)

So now im in a position that i cant apply for IRRV as I have only spent 2 months in NZ, and I'm at my mums house, jet lagged with no Permit :( Feel like crying for my stupid ignorance.

Thank you to all that replied so far.

[sizzlingbadger]

Speak to NZIS they may issue you one for a very short span if you haven't been in the country long enough.

Hope it all gets sorted soon :)

[udang]

I found the following relevant NZ immigration information. Although it says no guarantee you will get your RRV, it looks reasonably likely you will get your RRV if you can prove you were a lawful NZ resident before your departure. I hope you can get it sorted out to your favour.

What If I Left New Zealand Without A Returning Resident's Visa?

You will need to apply for a further Returning Resident's Visa at a New Zealand Immigration Service branch office or diplomatic or consular representative.

When you make your application, you will have to provide evidence that you were a lawful resident of New Zealand before your departure, and that you are entitled to a Returning Resident's Visa.

Could I Be Refused A Returning Resident's Visa?

You could be refused a Returning Resident's Visa if you:


have had your Residence Permit revoked; or

have been deported from New Zealand; or

are applying from outside new Zealand and have an expired Returning Resident's Visa; or

left New Zealand without a Returning Resident's Visa.

If you are refused a further Returning Resident's Visa, you will have to reapply for residence in New Zealand. Your application will be considered under the residence policy current at the time that you make your application.

Approval for a new Residence Visa or Permit cannot be guaranteed, as policy may have changed since you were originally granted residence.

[Questor]

If you ring NZIS and explain the situation you'll almost certainly be given another RRV (with appropriate payment of course!)
Some friends of ours did just what you did (left without checking the expiry of RRV) and they got a new one at Auckland on the way back after they realised!

so give NZIS in London a call

Jon