[nickydwuk]

I have PR and we have been living in NZ since September. We intend to head back to the UK later this year. One thing I have been thinking about - would our PR remain valid indefinitely or does it expire after a certain period of time? I know to get IRRV you need to have lived in NZ for 6 months of each of the previous 2 years.

[Rusty]

Your RRV is valid for 2 years after you activated your residence, but you need to be in NZ for 184 days (or so) of the 2 previous years to get a new one after that.
I'll try and dig out the exact wording in a leaflet we got somewhere.

[IanW99]

See Indefinite Visa (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/residents/returningresidents/canireturn/whatisrequired/amieligible-general/indefinitevisa.htm) for details

Ian

[Jo Jo]

Your RRV is valid for 2 years after you activated your residence, but you need to be in NZ for 184 days (or so) of the 2 previous years to get a new one after that.
I'll try and dig out the exact wording in a leaflet we got somewhere.

That's not quite right. If you are living in NZ, you will be granted a new RRV regardless of how long you have been living in NZ in the previous 2 years, but the length of time the RRV is valid for will depend on how much time you've spent in NZ in those two years.

The 184 days in each of the previous 2 years is a requirement of the indefinite RRV (details here). (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/residents/returningresidents/canireturn/whatisrequired/amieligible-general/indefinitevisa.htm)

If you have spent 184 days in NZ in at least one of the preceding two years, or have tax residence status in NZ then you will be eligible for a 12 month RRV. (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/residents/returningresidents/canireturn/whatisrequired/amieligible-general/12monthrrv.htm)

And if you are in NZ but are not eligible for either an indefinite RRV or a 12 month RRV, you will be granted a 14 day RRV.

BUT.... if you leave NZ and your RRV expires, you are very unlikely to be granted a new RRV, and will almost certainly have to reapply for residence if you want to return.

[nickydwuk]

BUT.... if you leave NZ and your RRV expires, you are very unlikely to be granted a new RRV, and will almost certainly have to reapply for residence if you want to return.

Thats what I thought. Just wanted to know where I stood. Thanks