[denalipop]

My understanding is that until we arrive in NZ, we don't officially have PR, so it might be difficult (or impossible) to do things like setting up bank accounts, mailing addresses, credit cards, etc. Is that indeed the case?

What can (and should) we try to get done before arriving there, to make the transition smoother?

Thanks!

[AlastairUK]

You can set a bank account up on a visitor's visa. Get in touch with ASB or Westpac in London (if you're in the UK) and they'll tell you all you need to know.

http://www.commbankuk.co.uk/moving_to_new_zealand/ - ASB Bank (part of the Commonwealth Bank group)

I can't find Westpac bank details for the one in London. No idea about credit cards or mailing addresses though! You might be able to set up a PO Box?

[BkyMonster]

You can set up a bank account generally over the internet before you arrive. Once you arrive you will need to check in with the bank etc. Look for the migrant banking link on any bank's website to initiate contact.

I don't know if you can set up IRD numbers before you arrive with PR. That really only takes a visit to a post shop (you will need photocopies of various things, check the website for what) to sort out. There have been some discussions of that on here, see if you can do a search. I believe if you pay $10 or so you can get one much faster than the 10 days it normally takes.

[denalipop]

Thanks! Is there a specific bank that you would recommend?

[James 1077]

All the banks are very similar and most have branches all over the place. If you know where you want to live then have a look to see which branches are local to you.

My advice is to look at the following:

Which banks currently offer Visa Debit cards (much more useful than straight EFTPOS)

Which ones offer free or cheap accounts for your situation (many banks have free banking if you do everything online, by phone or at an ATM and only charge you for transactions where you have to go into the branch - but if you will have lots of those transactions then it is generally better to get an account with a monthly fee but free transactions)

If you already have a job then which banks, if any, have a relationship with the employer (Westpac for example give us discounts due to my employer)

Finally lots of people want their bank to be NZ owned so are limited to Kiwibank as the only large NZ owned bank, but TSB Bank and SBS are also NZ owned but may not have branches everywhere.

Personally I am with Westpac and have had a great experience with them right from the start. Friendly staff, some branches open 7 days a week, don't always charge you for transactions (especially at the start when we didn't have internet set up) and always helpful.

[Bozeman]

I highly recommend that you figure out in advance how you will gain access to the NZD you will need during your first month or two. Keep in mind that it will take 21 working days (a calendar month) for a check to clear. You may wish to set up - in advance - an account with XEtrade or one of the other currency exchange companies. It takes a while to jump through the hoops so you wouldn't want to wait until you arrive here.

[denalipop]

I'm trying to get a Kiwibank account, but have been having trouble getting in touch with them via phone.

For those of you who got Kiwibank accounts, what did you put down on the page that says "Account Operating Authority"? That page has me stumped!

[TJH]

I got our account through Kiwibank a long time ago so I can't help with that specific page. I do remember we left areas blank that did not apply since we were applying from overseas.

Here is a phone number at which I have always been able to reach a customer service rep: 64 4 473 11 33

Also, check out here if you have not done so already:

http://www.kiwibank.co.nz/personal-banking/international-services/moving-to-nz/open-acct-overseas.asp

We have had zero issues so far after spending numerous wire transfers to our Kiwibank account prior to our arrival in a few weeks.

Once you get in country you have to go into a branch and "activate" the account. This is when you can choose which type of account you want etc. This is when you can get your VISA debit cards. I am soon going to call the branch I will be near when we arrive and see if they can have the VISA debit cards waiting for us when we arrive. Not sure if they can do that, but I am going to try.

For anyone else that is interested, Kiwibank offers an account in which nearly all services are free - Front Runner. The only catch is that you have to maintain a balance of at least $4000 in the account at all times. Kiwibank also offers VISA Debit cards.

[denalipop]

Thanks for the info! I've been calling the same phone number you mentioned. Maybe I will try it again today. I suppose I can also email them what I have and if they need more info they can query it.

Did you get the normal chequing account, with plans to upgrade to the Front Runner after you get there?

[TJH]

It is not a checking acccount per se. It is only used to transfer money to prior to your arrival - basically just an account number and not much more. That is the only function it has until you activate it when you arrive. You choose the type of checking account you want when you activate it.

[denalipop]

Oh, I see! So it lets you avoid using your foreign credit cards (or traveler's cheques) when you get there? And it also lets you time your pre-arrival transfers to take advantage of the current exchange rate?

[TJH]

As soon as you arrive in NZ in person and activate the account you have access to the funds. You may have to use cash initially as it may take a few days to obtain a debit card. It should prevent you from having to use a foreign credit card though.

About 3 weeks from our arrival, I am calling the specific branch in Napier I plan on activating the account at. Hopefully, I will be able to arrange to have the debit cards waiting for us when we come in and to also arrange a appointment to sit down and talk about banking with them in general. I am not sure what their policy is concerning in the cards are, but it can't hurt to ask.

[James 1077]

For anyone else that is interested, Kiwibank offers an account in which nearly all services are free - Front Runner. The only catch is that you have to maintain a balance of at least $4000 in the account at all times.

They also offer a free electronic account for people who don't generally go into branches (called Free-Up I think).

[James 1077]

Thanks for the info! I've been calling the same phone number you mentioned. Maybe I will try it again today. I suppose I can also email them what I have and if they need more info they can query it.

Did you get the normal chequing account, with plans to upgrade to the Front Runner after you get there?

Details of how to open an account with Kiwibank from overseas are here:

http://www.kiwibank.co.nz/personal-banking/international-services/moving-to-nz/open-acct-overseas.asp

Most of the banks have a "Migrant Banking" section of the website that details everything with forms and contacts required.

[Wooly_Cow]

Opening bank accounts aside...the comment about PR does raise an interesting point.

The blue stickers you get in your passport are NOT PR! They are an RRV (Returning Residents Visa) - i.e. a visa. Once you arrive in New Zealand the customs officer looks at the visa, and then stamps your passport with a Permanent Residency stamp (and smiles and says ‘Welcome to New Zealand!)....you then have PR....

This means you can stay in New Zealand as long as you like...If you never leave NZ the rest of the process is not an issue (I had to explain this to a medical centre clerk who thought we only had a 1 year visa….no that’s one year to activate the RRV, which is valid for two years and PR is well….. permanent!)

Your Blue sticker (the RRV) allows you to come and go as you please for two years.

...however after two years (or after you have met other criteria), you can apply for an IRRV (i = irrevocable) visa. When you get this you will have PR and a visa to come and go as much as you like for life (get’s transferred from passport to passport)….Nothing can stop you now except breaking the law.

If you don’t meet the criteria for an iRRV, you can be granted another RRV for a year (or other period) during which time you can try to prove you intend to be a Permanent resident.

By the way the 5 year qualification period for citizenship begins with the stamp!

As for what you do and don’t get with PR – PR gives you almost everything a citizen has (tax treatment, voting rights, local student fees, health care etc.) but not the right to live in Australia :)

I know this sounds like immigration advice – so I’d better add….this is my experience and understanding and should not be relied upon and is not given as advice…(I’m going to draft a standard disclaimer to put at the bottom of every mail)

[IanW99]

...
...however after two years (or after you have met other criteria), you can apply for an IRRV (i = irrevocable) visa. When you get this you will have PR and a visa to come and go as much as you like for life (get’s transferred from passport to passport)….Nothing can stop you now except breaking the law.
...
I know this sounds like immigration advice – so I’d better add….this is my experience and understanding and should not be relied upon and is not given as advice…(I’m going to draft a standard disclaimer to put at the bottom of every mail)

Never heard it called irrevocable, AFAIK the correct term is Indefinite i.e. IRRV means Indefinite Returning Residents Visa (not that there would be much actual difference).

Technically if it was found that you lied on the application for PR then your visa could be revoked, so I guess you could be stopped even without breaking the law.

Look forward to the standard disclaimer, sure many of us could use it :)

Ian

[denalipop]

James - Thanks for the info on migrant banking! I applied for a Now or Free Up Account, whichever they can give me initially. Most of my banking needs are online-only.