[D&J]

Hi, it’s been a while since posting but we do read posts regularly.
Unfortunately this post is regarding a return to England.
When we decided to make the move to NZ we always had a plan to give it ago and if all else failed we would return having lived our dream and ticked all the boxes on our list of things to do whilst here. That is still the plan but at the moment we are not finding the experience as enjoyable as we had expected. Basically we are missing family, friends and a social life more than we had ever imagined. We have only been in the country since Jan 29th so we know it’s still early days and are determined to give our best shot, but with not knowing anyone in NZ, we are finding it difficult and feel very isolated.
We have residence visas and our question is regarding the issue of an IRRV. From the information we have read you have to have spent a significant period of time in NZ during the last two year (184 days in each of the previous 2 years). You have established a 'base' in NZ (if you are the Principal Applicant then each member of your family has lived in NZ for 184 days in each of the last 2 years and you have had either a family home in NZ during the last 12 months or have been genuinely employed in NZ immediately prior to applying for your IRRV). We are working and renting a family home so we are wondering how soon you can apply for your IRRV. On Jan 29th 2010 we will have been in NZ for 12 months, if we remain for another consecutive 184 days can we then apply for IRRV? Can we start the application process before the 184 days? Or must we wait until Jan 29th 2011 before we can apply. We are not certain we will return to England yet as things may change for us and how we feel but if we know what our options are it may allow us to settle now, enjoy the time we have and see how things go.

Thanks D&J.

[M-Squared]

The very earliest you can apply for an IRRV is Jan 2011. It's two years, not one. Don't know of anyone who's managed to change NZIS's calendars.

[Arwen]

but at the moment we are not finding the experience as enjoyable as we had expected. Basically we are missing family, friends and a social life more than we had ever imagined. We have only been in the country since Jan 29th so we know it’s still early days and are determined to give our best shot, but with not knowing anyone in NZ, we are finding it difficult and feel very isolated.

So sorry to here that you are feeling isolated D&J. Whereabouts are you in NZ?? If you are down this way, I'd meet up with you for a coffee. :nice1

[IanW99]

...
That is still the plan but at the moment we are not finding the experience as enjoyable as we had expected. Basically we are missing family, friends and a social life more than we had ever imagined. We have only been in the country since Jan 29th so we know it’s still early days and are determined to give our best shot, but with not knowing anyone in NZ, we are finding it difficult and feel very isolated.
...


You have been in NZ for long enough for you to likely be experiencing homesickness and culture shock, coming at the time of winter doesn't help either - please don't underestimate the effects.

Would suggest that you post a thread for meeting / get togethers to feel less isolated, sure that there will be plenty of other forum members in your area who know exactly what you are going through. You could also join a suitable social group on the forum.

For your IRRV question, as has been said by others, you can not apply for it before the full 2 years is up.

Ian

[NikT]

Hi D&J.

Sorry to hear that you're having a bumpy ride.

Where abouts are you?
Like Ian said; post a meeting thread:).

Nick.:cheers

[Arwen]

Would suggest that you post a thread for meeting / get togethers to feel less isolated, sure that there will be plenty of other forum members in your area who know exactly what you are going through. You could also join a suitable social group on the forum.

Excellent advice Ian. :nice1

[M-Squared]

Yep a meetup is definitely in order. Where are you?

[D&J]

I've updated my info to reflect that we are in Papamoa in the BOP.

Thanks for all your replies.

[Bunstar]

Hi D&J,

Sorry to hear things aren't going as well as you'd hoped. Have you guys managed to find work yet?

MonkeyControl and I are also in Papamoa, if you fancied meeting up for a chat drop us a pm? :D

Hope the sunny day today is lifting your spirits!!

[sasvanb]

I hope nobody minds if I ask a daft IRRV related question.

Do you have to be living in NZ at the time of applying?

Might help if I explain.

We arrived Sept 5th 2008 (one year this weekend... wow! :))

So according to the 184 days in last 2 years rule, we should become eligible for IRRV around end Feb 2010. But we couldn't apply for IRRV until Sept 5th 2010.

Thing is, I have been finding it really hard to settle (despite really liking Welly and having made some lovely kiwi friends) and I was thinking of going back to Scotland for a few months over winter next year, say from June onwards... to see if that helps sort my feelings out. But is it a total pain/ big no no, to attempt to apply for IRRV if one is not in NZ, despite the fact you 'technically' qualify for it?

Hope this isn't too garbled... Would help me to get clarification, so I can proceed with plans...

Cheers all... :yes

[D&J]

Hi, the information we gathered said as well as qualifiying for the 184 days of each year in the last 2 years you must also be resident in NZ at the 2 year anniversary of your arrival date. You can not apply when out of the country.

Hope this helps, anyone correct me if I am wrong but we contacted immigration direct and that was their answer.

[sasvanb]

Thanks D&J... it certainly does help. :nice1

[R&A]

Hi,

In response to initial question, the previous posters are correct, you cannot apply for IRRV until 2yrs after initial issue of RRV/entry to NZ. You would technically qualify after being in NZ for 1yr plus 184 days but you cannot appy until after 2yrs.

With regard to questions about applying for IRRV from outside NZ, yes you can! I left NZ in April having been there just over 18months and have been in UK since then. My initial RVV ran out last week - I sent my application in last wednesday and today received my passport back from INZ London with an indefinite returning residents visa in it. So you definitely can. It does seem from reading the application guide that they may reject you if they wish if you're not in NZ, but I made sure i sent my application to arrive the day that my old visa expired and I got mine. So unless they have changed the rules since last wednesday....! My husband is a Kiwi so I dont know if that made a difference - but I doubt it, I still have to meet the same criteria to qualify as anyone else. Good luck to both of you.

Oh and D&J - I was feeling very homesick until well after we had been there for a year and that was with having OHs family and friends around us, as someone previously mentioned, don't underestimate how powerful the effect of homesickness can be! I don't mean that to be patronising, sorry if it sounds it, it's just that I didn't realise at the time quite how much it clouded my judgement. Hope you're ok.

[sasvanb]

Hi R&A,

Thanks so much for your post. This does help to reassure me a bit. I reckon we will be in NZ until next Feb anyway (which will be 18months for us)... as I said I'm just not sure yet I see myself here longer than that. But a lot can change in another 6 months, and I am still looking forward to the continuation of the adventure! :D

It's just helpful to know what the options are. I reckon I will also check with immigration nearer the time as well...

Thanks again. :nice1