[Hannah]

Has anyone applied for a student visa for children to attend school in New Zealand before leaving the UK? Have looked at form but it appears to be designed for an adult going to uni!!!! Also, we haven't chosen a school yet and won't until we get there. Is it better to wait till we arrive and apply for a permit then? (How long do they usually take to arrive?)
Questions questions, maybe one day i'll be one of those people that can answer other people's queries (she says hopefully!!)

[wilson182]

I had the same impression when I looked at the form, but the instructions on the inside cover tell you what parts to fill in. I enclosed a letter from my daughters school to say that she had been offered a place, but I am not sure if thats an actual requirement, you will have to check.

[Do B Brief]

We have literally just completed ours in NZ and when you go through the form you will tick a box and be directed to another part of the document which will skip all the uni stuff.

Also, for the schools just put Primary or Intermediate etc. Dates are normally based on the main applicant and you can actually put that on the form.

If you have half an hour read through my last post as we have just literally got ours.

Went into NZIS in Wellington and they were done there and then!

The only thing is it doesn't ask for birth certificates - you must have them! We had to come back home and get them - 1/2 turn around.

Also, we applied for work permits and visas - if you are doing the same ensure this is stated on the form for the kids as you should only be charged for the permit and not for the visas. The visas give you the option to come and go but kids don't always have a choice so it is not normally charged. But if you are applying from the UK you will need to visa first.

Hannah, how are you intending to come to NZ? Via PR or Work Permit?

Regards

Dave

[Hannah]

Hi Dave,
We are coming over on a work visa (which I have yet to apply for) - partner offered short term work. We plan to stay in NZ for six months and then come home (house not sold or anything, we are just testing the water first!). Do you know if we will have to pay school fees if we have a work permit for less than 6 months?
Seems from your experience that applying for a student visa in NZ would be easiest - anyway, we've got loads of other stuff to worry about in the last few weeks before we go!!!
I'll look up your other post, thanks
hannah

[Do B Brief]

Hi Hannah

You can get the study permits and the kids will not have to pay full fees.

In NZ the schools ask for a "contribution" (maybe $300 per year??). You may have to come to an agreement with the principle etc.

You will have to pay for your own stationary and school uniform (if necessary).

Also bare in mind that school summer holidays start around 21st December.

Some scholls do not require a uniform and some do. Our youngest doesn't and spent his first afternoon there on Friday in preparation for Monday - he loves it.

Yet our eldest will start Intermediate for 1 term but we still have to pay for a uniform and then she goes into college next year so yet another uniform.

Hope this helps.

[Hannah]

Dave, that's great. So good to have someone going down the same route we are but just a few months ahead of us with all the info we need. Cheers mate - that's useful stuff. My kids relish thought of own clothes and no shoes at school !!!

I hope it continues to work out for you - looks like it was really meant to be. We are hoping that by coming over for 6 months things fall into place and we know we are doing the right thing. not brave enough to sell house before we go though (and couldn't sell it anyway as a big housing development, starting with the demolition of the existing factory next door, begins right on our doorstep on 1st Nov. - the day we leave. How about that for fate!!! (we planned trip before factory and land was even sold to the developer!!!)
Hannah