[Glenda]

We are initially going out on Visitor visas in 18 days and expect PR in 6/8 weeks. However, it seems from the info we've gleaned that we cannot have a bank account without having PR ... that is we can have a savings account but not a transactional account with cheque books etc.

Does anyone know if we have we read this right? I've sent an email to ASB in London enquiring about this but they have not replied (good customer relations there :no ).

There must be plenty of folks living in NZ on Visitors visas, surely they have bank accounts, cheque books etc.?

(Help!) :(

[jocalla]

My husband opened a bank account with cheque books etc with the national from the UK and he only came on a visitors visa :roll:
Maybe different banks have different criteria :?
Joanne

[SteveR]

just go into your local ASB bank when you get here, we only had work visa's but was not a problem for them 15 mins after walking in the door we were all sorted with savings and eftpos account and got eftpos cards there and then also. I dont think you can get credit cards unless you have residency though. :nice1

[jocalla]

I dont think you can get credit cards unless you have residency though. :nice1

I don't know whether it depends on different banks but Jon got a credit card also

:cheers

[Glenda]

Thanks for your replies. Having read through their info again, we would presume that having a visa for 6 months or more is all they need. Since we in the UK automatically get visitor visas then we presume that will do.

Anyhow, we have sent off our application and they can accept it or not. :smile