[Ellie]

Hi everyone!

I have a couple of questions that I hope you can help me with:

Once you are granted a permanent residence visa, how long do you have before you go out to NZ? I think I read on here before that it is 1 year, but could anyone confirm that?

Once there, with the intention of gaining NZ citizenship (which will take 5 yrs after Jan 2005 yeah?), are there restrictions regarding how often you can leave the country, e.g. on hols or to come back to UK to visit etc during that period?

The reason I ask is not that I'll be desperate to come back to the UK (!) but because my only child will be in the Army by then and it is not yet clear whether they will send him "home" to me in NZ at first.

Just trying to cover all eventualities!

[veronica]

I think you can come and go as often as you like but i think there is a restriction on how long you stay out of the country. don't take that for gospel as its just my understanding of it.

[Ellie]

Thanks Veronica. I hope that is the case - it'll make things a lot easier :D

[Diny]

Ellie

I'm sure you're correct in thinking that once you PR visa has actually been stamped in your passport, you have 12 months from that date to make your entry into NZ.

Also, agreeing with Veronica - there's no restrictions as to how long you have to be in NZ before you return to UK for holiday, and there's no limit on how many times you fly in and out .... however there IS a limit on how long you spend out of the country on each of those trips. I think it's a good while - a couple of months or more rather than weeks. These restrictions will remain until your 5 years are up and you can get your citizenship. Would really check this with the NZIS though just in case.

Diny

[karltsmith]

No restrictions but you MUST get a Returning Residents Visa (RRV) before you depart NZ or you will lose your PR status!!!!! :uhoh The fisrt RRV issued is usually for set period to cover your trip or may even be up to 1 year. Once you have been a PR for a few years you will qualify for an unrestricted RRV which will not run out ( i.e gives you the permanent right of PR no matter how long you are out of the country) You need to keep you passports up to date and get it transfered as and when necessary! Alternatively apply for dual nationaity at the appropriate time!

Karl :nice1

[Ellie]

Thanks very much everyone. That makes things a lot clearer - looks like it won't be a problem then, as long as I ensure I get the right visa for return.

I could not find any of this info on the web, so this forum is such a valuable resource. Keep it up, folks!

Incidentally, I'm on 105 points and keeping fingers crossed for the next selection. Looks like timing is everything with this lark!

Ellie

[Lukas]

This posts are a mess. None of you has a proper answer. Would be so easy to chek NZIS site.
Together with tour first PR you will get a two years Returning Rezident Visa which will allow you to leave as many times as you want within 2 years. Anyway after two years in order to get a now RRV with unlimited entries and for unlimited time you need to stay on the previous 2 years at least 183 days per year, or to have your own house, or to have invested a significandt amount of money.
After 2 years with a RRV unrestricted you may stay even 10 years aborad and then return in NZ as a permanent resident.

[Ellie]

:? Hmmm...thanks for that contribution Lukas.

Now I know exactly what I am looking for (RRV), I can categorically answer my own question. For the benefit of others, the info is at:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/alreadyinnz/residents/returningresidents/default.htm

[Diny]

Lukas

I admire your diplomatic gentle approach !!

Diny

[Lukas]

...Not in my intention to offend anyone...but the RRV is a serious (not to say essential) issue for a NZ immigrant..."I may think"..."I suppose" kind of approach will not help.

[jesselyn]

This posts are a mess. None of you has a proper answer. Would be so easy to chek NZIS site.

i dunno what to say :? im learning here (sigh)

...Not in my intention to offend anyone...but the RRV is a serious (not to say essential) issue for a NZ immigrant..."I may think"..."I suppose" kind of approach will not help.

i guess, its the way you deliver your piece... ;)

anyways, i learned from you too. thanks for the info :angel

[Diny]

Lukas

No offence taken at all. :P

Ellie was asking whether there were any restrictions on the amount of times and length of times she spent out of NZ. You are correct is telling us that we will need a RRV - I for one automatically presumed that this was standard knowledge and didn't need mentioning. However, I think it's a good idea to mention everything, the fear of repeating information isn't as bad as the fear of missing something important out.