[Jock_Tamson]

Hi,

having read and heard several things today, it is looking increasingly likely that when my WHV runs out on 26th Feb, my temporary work permit still won't be through yet, leaving me in limbo. Has anyone else been in this situation, and if so, what did you do?

I'm aware I can't work, which is a problem on it's own, but do I have a genuine issue with staying in the country?

Bear in mind this is not a PR application so I am talking days/weeks rather than months.

I actually hoped I might have it by now, although I still have 8 days at this stage.

[phdpr2008]

Hi there,

As long as you lodged the application before your current permit expired I think you are sweet.

[Jock_Tamson]

Yeah I hope so.

My friend who put in pretty much the exact same application as me, only a week AFTER me, just called and apparently his case has been assigned to a case officer already (lodged one week ago) and it should take a maximum of 20 days to get back.

For temporary permits, do case officers get in contact with you, or would that be only if they needed more info or whatever?

[phdpr2008]

For temporary permits, do case officers get in contact with you, or would that be only if they needed more info or whatever?

The temp permits are usually quicker to be processed and they dont usally bother contacting you if you provide all the documents required.

G' Luck.

[beanbeanz]

I DO NOT think it's safe to assume that everything is ok just because you lodged your application before the expiry date. I have read in multiple locations on the NZIS website that it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you always have a current and valid permit while in NZ.

The best thing to do is to contact NZIS (preferably something you can trace) just to bring to their attention your situation and they can either a)speed up the processing of your permit or b)give you an alternate option.

I know it's not PR you're applying for, but if you ever do decide to not having a valid permit at any time may come back to haunt you.

There's no harm in asking. Usually they're very accommodating.

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

Something like this happened to my OH when he was trying to get his WHV renewed last year. They bungled the instructions on the application and neglected to ask him for his physical passport, and then sent the whole application back to us (to the wrong address) without contacting us. They were in the wrong, so the fact that this caused a severe delay might not have been so bad for us - we were told that as long as he didn't work, he would not be considered an overstayer as long as his application was still pending. Once we got it sorted, he could go back to work.

So, in short, I wouldn't worry about having to leave the country, but I WOULD clarify your right to work while in "visa limbo" with your employer and with NZIS.

[BkyMonster]

Last time I talked to NZIS (in ChCh) they told me it was fine to stay as long as I had an application pending. They had told me my partnership work permit application would take 9 months and that I was free to stay in the country for that time, but it was like I was on a visitors visa, so no working. Of course it didn't take nearly that long at all.
Hopefully you'll hear something soon.

[Jock_Tamson]

9 months for a partnership work visa??? They were having a laugh surely? I only met my partner 10 months ago!!!

I will give them a call today and find out the status of it all.

For what it's worth, my friend has been told he is fine to stay in the country, he just can't work, so that's my current understanding. The agency I work for won't let me work when it's expired anyway so that side of things is fine.

NZIS have my passport as well so I literally can't do anything other than stay!