[dylan]

Hi All some advice needed.

As you can see from my signature we are at the stage of collating our ITA's and we all have our medicals on 30/01/09.

After we have our medicals I'm sure everything else to do with our ITA will be ready to go, so I'm guessing somewhere around the middle of February we will be able to submit our ITA's, firstly do you think this time frame is about right?

Secondly I have to start work before 5th April 09 so I am looking to fly out of the UK around 26th March (I have found cheapish flights with AirNZ). Do you think I will get my PR by this date. I also have a discount code that has to be used by 31st Jan so dare I book my flights before I get my PR?

I know there are a lot of if's and but's, but I don't want to lose my job by delaying the start date, it was difficult enough to get the offer whilst still in the UK.

Would you think if we explain the situation and the fact that I have booked flights etc in the cover letter accompanying our ITA the whole process could be speeded up so I don't loose the job?

Any advise would be greatly received.

[icemaiden]

Because you already have a job offer they will process your application really quickly. If you believe that everything is in order and that there will not be any problems with your residency, I would go ahead and book your flights. There are lots of people who move out before their PR is granted and if youi've got an offer on a cheap flight then go for it. I am assuming from your post that you don't have a house to sell, etc. so your timescale seems fine to me. I don't think that putting in the covering letter that you've booked flights will help in any way: NZ House specifically says not to book any flights before everything is in order for you. The only downside to booking your flights now is that you won't be able to book a single trip flight - you'll have to book a return (but if you book the right ticket, you'll be able to reclaim the return portion once you do have your PR). You can then have your blue stickers put in your passport once you are out in NZ. Good luck with all your plans. Which part of NZ are you off to?

[marybelle]

The only downside to booking your flights now is that you won't be able to book a single trip flight - you'll have to book a return

I thought you could book a single if you wish, but you wouldn't be able to travel without the correct visa.

[IanW99]

I thought you could book a single if you wish, but you wouldn't be able to travel without the correct visa.

Yes you can buy a one way ticket if you want, and as you say if you don't have a suitable visa then they won't (or at least shouldn't) allow you to fly.

Any particular reason why you are not having the medicals till the end of the month? I would have thought that you would have tried to get your ITA in as soon as possible to give maximum chance that it will be processed in time.

Also, if there are any issues with your medicals then you will need additional tests which will delay your application. So if you had your medicals done ASAP then you would be more sure that the PR will go through in time.

If you really want to start the job on the original start date then you can also consider applying for a WTR (or general work visa) on the back of your PR and as long as it is for 12 months or more, you won't need the return air ticket. They will also be able to process the work visa much quicker than the PR so much more likely to be ready in time.

Ian