[scharlyboy]

Hi there...

I was wondering if any of you fine people could inform me whether it is possible to get a partnership based work permit for longer than two years?

It says on the Immigration website that a Work Permit for a maximum of two years will be granted but I was told my the rather dim looking fellow behind the counter at the Manukau immigration office that I could re-apply for a third year as long as I do it before my current permit expires. (Just dont know how trust worthy he is)

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Scharl

[JandM]

I don't know an answer for you about getting an extension to the work permit, but it sounds as though you would certainly be eligible for residency under the partnership category.

Welcome to the forum. :)

[kara_m]

Hi
Im not sure about the work permit but i have just got my visa through the partnership policy which entitles you to work, the returning residents visa that has been issued with it is valid for 2 years but once that two years is up you can apply for the indefinite returning residents visa which is where you just have to show that you are committed to life in New Zealand

[scharlyboy]

Thanks for the replies.

I submitted my PR applicatin together with a Work permit Application because knowing my luck it will take them forever to process my PR application.

Add to that the fact that I had a serious binge drinking session with my mates two nights before my medical (Im not usually much of a drinker) resulting in an ALT liver enzyme test of 52 :wah

Oh... how useful 20/20 hindsight would be two days in advance!

Other than that Im fit as a fiddle so bring on the MA and obligatory tests (as long as they dont stop me from working and grant my work permit!:uhoh)

Cheers

Scharl

[jeffanar]

Surely your PR won't take 2 years to be approved?! Even if you apply in NZ it shouldn't take that long - my OH's took about 8 months, including a referral to the MA. So as long as you get your work permit there shouldn't be any problem staying in NZ while the PR application is processed

[scharlyboy]

Just a quick update on the above...

I was granted a second two year work permit whist my PR application is being processed... So it is possible!

The interesting thing is that Immigration needed to give me the new interim visa in order for there to be enogh time for them to process my wok permit application which i needed in order for there to be enough time for them to process my PR application:)

So in summary... as long as you keep giving immigration money, they should be able to find some sort of permit that will allow you stay in NZ that little extra bit longer;)

[Flutterby]

my work permit was granted for 2 years and 1 week, so i think that maximum may not be correct.

[scharlyboy]

Whoooohooo

I just got my passport back with the blue stickers... Minus $300 hundred dollars for the migrant levy but I'm used to having to prices rediculous rates already so not too bad.

I must say, looking back on the process it was easier than I expected it to be (with my dodgy liver and all)!

Goodluck to everyone else out there:)

[Alive&Kicking]

How long did it take you to get the visa under partnership policy?

[JandM]

:nice1:clap:bluebanana

[scharlyboy]

How long did it take you to get the visa under partnership policy?

I submitted my application to the Manukau branch on 1st October 2009
Medical reffered to MA on 30th October 2009
PR Approved 16th April 2010

So it took 6 months and 2 weeks:)

[Jock_Tamson]

Just a quick update on the above...

I was granted a second two year work permit whist my PR application is being processed... So it is possible!

The interesting thing is that Immigration needed to give me the new interim visa in order for there to be enogh time for them to process my wok permit application which i needed in order for there to be enough time for them to process my PR application:)

So in summary... as long as you keep giving immigration money, they should be able to find some sort of permit that will allow you stay in NZ that little extra bit longer;)

scharlyboy - this is an extremely interesting post!

I was under the impression that you could NOT get more than 2 years on this type of work permit, and that is the exact reason I am planning to apply for residence right now, next week in fact. This post here has made me think that applying for a work permit could very well be worth it though.

You are saying you've now had a total of 4 years work permit via partnership?

Strangely enough, my ALT levels were raised as well (60)...I had 2 nights out in a row 4 days before my medical, although in the end I was told it was NOT alcohol related? See my thread on the medicals forum...

Did you ever actually hear from the MA at any time?

[scharlyboy]

Hi there...

Yes that is correct - 4 years worth of work permits via partnership.

Plus a three month interim visa between work permits which was granted free of charge and no application was submitted.

I recieved an email stating that my medical had been reffered to the MA and a couple days later I got a letter asking me to redo the blood tests. (which still came back with a high ALT)

That was all - next thing I heard from them was that I have been approved in principle.

Good luck with your application:)

[Jock_Tamson]

Just had an interesting conversation with my work permit case officer which shows the total inconsistency of INZ!

First she called to say that my application for the work permit was far too early, given that my current one runs out on 28 January 2011 (I was applying for a 2 year permit, in conjunction with my residence application). She said I should apply about a month before it expires!

I said that the reason I wanted an extension was (a) to ensure plenty of time for the residence to go through, and (b) I have a job offer but they won't give me it without PR, or a work permit that lasts for longer than 12 months.

She still kept on that it was early yadda yadda yadda and seemed genuinely perplexed that I'd even made the application! She then agreed to check with her manager and called me back 2 minutes later saying it was fine to give me another 12 months (and not 24!) from today...!

Very strange really and a kind of 'in between' result! Good because I now have a full year (plus 2 weeks) for my residence application to go through, and bad because I wanted 2 years so my work could give me a permanent job!

Still, I wanted to go back home for xmas so work may allow it now since my expiry date is a bit further out than the end of January...:clap