[Red Dog]

I have a multi-part question and am not sure I'm even on the proper forum to get an answer. Here is some background:

My wife and I are Americans living in NZ for the past year on 2 year work visas and are exploring the idea of permanent residency.

My wife is employed full-time in NZ. Her employer advertised the job four different time in NZ before hiring her from the US...they didn't have any qualified applicants from NZ.

My wife's occupation is in a field, mental health, which appears to be in need in NZ. She is having to go through a 2 year process of becoming "certified" in her field in NZ.

Here's the clinker...we are both over the "maximum" immigration age of 56.

So my questions: Does the immigration office have the ability to make exemptions for "overage" people? If so, how do we approach it; through the immigration office or through an immigration agent or lawyer? Does anyone on this forum know of any exemptions that might have been made?

Any answers, thoughts or insights would be appreciated.

Red Dog.

[BkyMonster]

I know the SMC to PR path has an age limit on it, but I can't find one on the Residence from Work (you'd become eligible after being on your work permit for 2 years, and since you've got a job on the LTSSL they'd surely re-up your work permit while getting things sorted) or the Work to Residence (further 2 years on the WTR path after which you can be granted residence).

I'd ask immigration, but I'd probably start by asking if there are age limits on those categories.

Good luck!

[veronica]

Id say the same try going to immigration and ask.

[JandM]

Welcome to the forum, and good luck. :)