IanRich
26th June 2009, 02:46 AM
Hi All,
About 7-8 weeks ago we found out that my wife could start her studies during July rather than waiting until Feb 2010. The only challenge was that we were only half way through the house sale and we were starting from scratch.
As you can imagine, it has been very hectic and this forum and the poeple posting replies have been very very helpful. I have tried to reply to a couple of posts but feel that I have gained more than I have contributed. So now that the dust has settled and we now have the student visa and fly out on the 7th of July, I thought it would be a good time to share our findings in trying to move, get on a course, accomodation etc in such a short time in an attempt to say thank you to all.
It's not a comprehensive list but it was these little things that had the potential to "trip us up".
- For UK folks...check your driving licence photo id...it has an 10 year expiry date on it which is not your 65th birthday. (Section 4b) shows the date. A lot people may have them expiring soon as photo ids were introduced 9-10 years ago.
- Getting your qualifications assessed by NZAQ can take ages, try to do this as soon as possible.
- Have lots and lots of certifed copies of passports... lots of poeple want proof and as your passport is need by several people it may save time if they accept a copy (this happend for us in the medical) likewise utilities bills.
- If possible, scan all your utility bills, insurances and passports etc on a memory stick and keep it on a key ring. The amount of times we need a policy number, an address or contact etc it became invaluable !!!!
- In the UK the police check standard is 40 days, but they are doing a pilot http://www.acpo.police.uk for people emigrating to NZ, OZ and the US which takes 2 day at a cost of £70
- If you have had a recent CRB check, generally not need a full police check for a student visa.
- Use a money broker such as HiFX http://www.hifx.com to get the best exchange rate. Typically, they can be 6-8 cents difference against the best high street vendors, which is a lot when moving 1,000's of pounds.
- A lot of banks no longer print out 3 months statements as there records are backed up on paper, so if you need eveidence of funds for your student application order them in at least 3 weeks ahead.
-If you plan to go as an International student, try http://www.studyoptions.com to help you in the application process and course selection. It's a free service as such as they are paid for the NZ Uni's from the international fees.
- Also dont forget to use your frequent flyer points when booking flights, unlike us, in all the rush forgot about them until it was too late. :(
Hopefully, this will help some who is trying to do the move as fast as possible.
For us, we arrive in Wellington on the 9th of July and my wife starts her course on the 10th of July....we just made it!!!
We are trying to keep the blog going: http://www.ianrichardsonsilversurfer.blogspot.com
See you in Welly :bluebanana
Ian & Theresa
About 7-8 weeks ago we found out that my wife could start her studies during July rather than waiting until Feb 2010. The only challenge was that we were only half way through the house sale and we were starting from scratch.
As you can imagine, it has been very hectic and this forum and the poeple posting replies have been very very helpful. I have tried to reply to a couple of posts but feel that I have gained more than I have contributed. So now that the dust has settled and we now have the student visa and fly out on the 7th of July, I thought it would be a good time to share our findings in trying to move, get on a course, accomodation etc in such a short time in an attempt to say thank you to all.
It's not a comprehensive list but it was these little things that had the potential to "trip us up".
- For UK folks...check your driving licence photo id...it has an 10 year expiry date on it which is not your 65th birthday. (Section 4b) shows the date. A lot people may have them expiring soon as photo ids were introduced 9-10 years ago.
- Getting your qualifications assessed by NZAQ can take ages, try to do this as soon as possible.
- Have lots and lots of certifed copies of passports... lots of poeple want proof and as your passport is need by several people it may save time if they accept a copy (this happend for us in the medical) likewise utilities bills.
- If possible, scan all your utility bills, insurances and passports etc on a memory stick and keep it on a key ring. The amount of times we need a policy number, an address or contact etc it became invaluable !!!!
- In the UK the police check standard is 40 days, but they are doing a pilot http://www.acpo.police.uk for people emigrating to NZ, OZ and the US which takes 2 day at a cost of £70
- If you have had a recent CRB check, generally not need a full police check for a student visa.
- Use a money broker such as HiFX http://www.hifx.com to get the best exchange rate. Typically, they can be 6-8 cents difference against the best high street vendors, which is a lot when moving 1,000's of pounds.
- A lot of banks no longer print out 3 months statements as there records are backed up on paper, so if you need eveidence of funds for your student application order them in at least 3 weeks ahead.
-If you plan to go as an International student, try http://www.studyoptions.com to help you in the application process and course selection. It's a free service as such as they are paid for the NZ Uni's from the international fees.
- Also dont forget to use your frequent flyer points when booking flights, unlike us, in all the rush forgot about them until it was too late. :(
Hopefully, this will help some who is trying to do the move as fast as possible.
For us, we arrive in Wellington on the 9th of July and my wife starts her course on the 10th of July....we just made it!!!
We are trying to keep the blog going: http://www.ianrichardsonsilversurfer.blogspot.com
See you in Welly :bluebanana
Ian & Theresa