[Park City Partner]

On Tuesday 18 Oct. I sent off my PR Visa application via Fed Ex 2 day to the Washington DC location...didn't overnight it so as to save a little bit of money in this whole process :nice1. I was out of work for a few days and when I returned yesterday (26 Oct) there was my return Fed Ex package (3 day) with my birth certificate, passport and a letter. The letter asked for some additional information: partner's divorce decree and ORIGINAL documents supporting our partnerships. In addition to a page and a half explanation of our relationship (why bills, mortgage etc weren't in both of our names since he moved into my place) I had sent copies of bank statments, cards and letters sent to both of us, health care directives signed by each of us and a print out of digital photos of us. I didn't realize that they needed to be the original versons (or "certified" copies) but I am VERY impressed how quickly they responded. They said "in order to make a quick decision" they would like all of the requested materials by 30 Nov.

Just thought I would share this info in case anyone else out there is taking this route. I have high hopes at this point that I might get approval by the end of the year!

[khhill]

Hi Park City,

Reading your post was like deja-vu. I'm in exactly the same boat!! I sent my PR visa by partnership application to Washington DC on October 18. By the 21st I received a return package with birth certificate, my husband's passport (they kept mine though), and a letter requesting further info on shared finances. According to their website, the NZ embassy gets very busy in late November and December with student visa applications. I'm hoping that the warning to get in further info by November is to get us processed through and off their desks before the student visa rush. I took their advise and overnighted more info to them on Monday.

We're planning on moving in January so I'm also hoping to have it sorted out by the end of the year! Please keep me posted as it seems our applications are in the same stack :yes

[Going2NZ]

How strange! We're from Texas and we had to go through the London branch. Maybe they spread the load around differently during the "busy" season.

Susan

[jen]

We're in California & had to go through the London branch, too. We sent our PR application back in April so maybe the DC option is recent?

We had our phone interview in May but had to wait on a final decision until we could complete a paper trail to prove partnership for one year. We just sent that batch of paperwork in two weeks ago (our August marriage certificate, joint bank account statement, joint utility bills, etc.) and are waiting for news.

It's been reassuring reading from others that the London office is probably busy this time of year with the job expos - hopefully our caseworker is just behind on her paperwork.

Fingers crossed for all of us waiting!

Jen

[Park City Partner]

London?! That seems odd...Well, I spoke with my visa officer yesterday to confirm that he didn't need "original" photos as I printed several on one page for him. He told me that the phots were fine it was the other docs they need. He told me that since the earliest date of our joint bank account was January (though I sent letters and pics dating early) that we would have to wait until then for the approval. I told him that we would be in DC before Thanksgiving and could come in to meet if required and he said that wasn't necessary...so overall it seems that we are good to go but just have to wait until January for the final stamp!

[selchie]

We also sent our PR application to London (in September). But perhaps DC is the place for visa applications rather than PR? It would have been nice to save a bit on shipping all that dross overseas.

[khhill]

London! International shipping must have cost a fortune. Sounds like DC is a rather new route. I see London is still processing the skilled migrant PR applications, but DC is now taking the family category PR applicants.

For those who went through London, what was the processing time?

Keeping my fingers crossed... :)

[urban78]

Hi Khill,

I live in London and had my PR under partnership category processed very quick by NZIS London...from start to finish it took 8 weeks! Sent in info on April 1st and got PR on May 27..could have been shorter I'm sure but had to supply additional info to my Case Officer.

All the people I have spoken to have said NZIS London are very efficient at processing applications.

Urb :)

[selchie]

Our processing will be slow (3 months for a case worker), because we don't have jobs waiting. Shipping to London via USPS Global Express mail cost about $37US. Currently we're waiting to get our passports back. Someone over there promised to return them 2 or 3 weeks ago, and we still haven't seen them.