[kerrijeansmith]

My hubby has a 2-year work permit. I and the kids are NZ citizens. Is our only option to stay longer than 2 years to get his PR? Do they do extensions on work permits? We only plan to be here 3-4 years total anyway.

Thanks for any ideas.

Kerri

[JandM]

In theory, if someone's employer wants to continue employing them, they can apply for a Work Permit to be extended. However, this application does not HAVE to be granted, and of recent times with rising unemployment, cases have been seen where NZIS has refused, on the grounds that the employer should take on a Kiwi instead, even though they're perfectly satisfied with the WP-holder they've got and want to keep him/her.

I don't quite understand why, if you OH wants PR, you haven't gone for partner sponsorship. You don't have to wait two years to start that. And, while it takes however long it takes to go through the process, it's not likely to be two years.

[M-Squared]

Completely agree with the above about going for partnership. Is there a timeline reason why you didn't just go straight for this? :confused:

[napiers]

Just wanted to echo what JandM and M squared said about going for partnership!

[kerrijeansmith]

We found out we were moving in October (I got accepted into university here) and wouldn't have got his PR back fast enough to arrive here at the end of January. So we did the work permit which was done in time. That's all. Plus $700 when we're living on loans and grants is alot to come up with, plus the fees for police and medical reports. Just bouncing it around. He would qualify for PR, I know. I'm just thinking it all out.

Kerri

[JandM]

It sounds as if it's a matter of balancing the convenience of not staying in NZ longer than you want to (which is how your first post sounds) against paying the fees to get partnership PR put through even if you feel hard up. Presumably you'd like him to have acquired residency before you leave on this occasion, so that you'd have the convenience of the whole family being able to return, and both of you work, at any future time you felt like it, or you wouldn't be bothering to ask this.

[kerrijeansmith]

Yeah, it sounds like PR is the best way to go. It's just a ton of work which I feel like we just did for his work permit. I have a full courseload and 4 kids and am close to breaking point most of the time. I just wondered if anyone knew any other ideas that could fit our situation because navigating the INZ site is complicated.

Kerri

[kerrijeansmith]

We would consider living here again one day. Does PR last forever even if we're overseas?

Kerri

[KerryS]

We would consider living here again one day. Does PR last forever even if we're overseas?

Kerri

Only if he meets the criteria to be granted an IRRV, and NZIS don't change their current processes.

[Kanga]

Hi Kerri- have a look at this thread for specific details on qualifying for Indefinite RRV (you need a RRV to leave NZ and return but RRVs are usually at most 2 yrs but an IRRV doesn't expire- it's the next best thing to citizenship) http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25305

The advantage with getting PR for your partner now is that there's no way of knowing if he could get it later- medical requirements may change or he may develop health problems (sorry, not meaning to sound morbid- just being practical) etc. Also, the sooner you do it the sooner you'll be able to get the IRRV and be free to come and go for lengthy periods.

I feel your pain RE the paperwork, expense and the hassle ((()))