[ExitStageSouth]

This may seem like a somewhat perverse question, considering that most people seem to want to hop on a plane as soon as possible, but can someone give me advice on how long you can delay taking up residence?

I've just got my ITA, and it will take a month or so to sort out the police certs etc. I know that I have four months to send it back, but I'd rather not tempt fate, so let's say I send it back in three months. For argument's sake NZIS then take three months to approve (fingers crossed) and I get my visa. I then have 12 months to make landfall, correct? Can that landfall be a short trip, i.e. there for some job interviews and then back? I presume I have to comply with some minimal level of time spent in NZ to maintain my resident status, so when would I really, absolutely have to land and stay?

Just to explain the reason why I'm asking, it's related to my job, not to any personal desire to stay here as long as possible. I just want to be clear about the options.

[Scibby]

I can't answer all your questions but I do know that if your case manager approves you, you have up to a six month "approved in priciple" period. This is up to six months you can hold off getting your PR stickers issued, if you want. Once they are issued you have to enter New Zealand within a year. Hope that helps. :nice1

[Ana&Steve]

For argument's sake NZIS then take three months to approve (fingers crossed) and I get my visa.
I am under the impression that it's taking more like 6-12 months for this decision, but if you are hoping it will take longer, it will probably happen in a month! :roll

[IanW99]

I can't answer all your questions but I do know that if your case manager approves you, you have up to a six month "approved in priciple" period. This is up to six months you can hold off getting your PR stickers issued, if you want. Once they are issued you have to enter New Zealand within a year. Hope that helps. :nice1

If you don't send in your passports with your application, then you will have upto 6 months to get the blue stickers once approved.

Once you have the blue stickers in your passport you have 12 months to activate them i.e. you must land in NZ within this period (a holiday will do).

Once you have activated your visa, you can leave again but must return whilst your visa is still valid so you have up to two years to return to NZ to stay (first RRV is valid for 2 years).

Note that if you aren't in NZ during this two year period it will affect your IRRV application.

Ian

[ExitStageSouth]

Thanks for the responses. I was concerned about a possible contract that would mean delaying 18 months, so it sounds like I don't have to worry. I'd rather not, but then the extra money would be difficult to turn down.

[Kalla]

hi
this is all assuming you get PR straight off - but some people without a job offer in NZ who have applied for PR have been offered a WTR visa instead. This means that once your case officer has interviewed you and decided to offer you WTR visa instead, you then have 3 months to apply for the WTR visa and a further 3 months to arrive in NZ. So basically, not an ideal option for you by the sounds of things - so better hope for PR

[WANZLittles]

I am glad you asked this question, because I was wondering the same thing.

[ExitStageSouth]

So basically, not an ideal option for you by the sounds of things

Hmm... no, not really. Any idea what the criteria would be to put someone on a WTR? I would have though it would just be for cases where they weren't sure that the applicant would be able to support themself or find suitable work in the place they intended to settle.