[galvinp2]

I have just been granted a work to residency visa and would like for my partner (girlfriend) to be allowed to join me next april when she finishes university. We have been in a commited relationship the last 6 years however after reading some of the posts on this forum I am now very worried about her being granted a work visa on the basis of our relationship as Im not sure we have enough evidence.
The negatives are
We have never lived together for a full year as we both lived with our respective parents(spend all our time in each others houses)
We are not currently living together as she is away in university.
We have no joint bank account or utility bills.

The positives are
We have hundreds of photographs of us in romantic embrace from all over the world going back 5 years. We travelled together in 2002 to australia, New zealand (10 months on working holiday visas), Canada, America and Fiji. Every date and stamps in our passports are the same.
I have been transfering money to her bank account for the past 11 months to help support her in university.
She has been listed as my soul benificary on my pension fund for the last 4 years.

Please somebody help as I dont no if its even worth our while her appling for a work visa on the basis of our relationship.What other proof could I provide.

[real_sunfire]

HI Galvin,

I and my fiance actually asked NZIS about this in last year's NZ Expo in London as we were living separately.

Their rules are very clear you are you and partner must have lived together for at least 12 months. We started living together in July so we can't apply for residence as a couple until next summer.

I would suggest giving NZIS a call, I'm sure they can give you soon advice on your situation and the best way to proceed.

If you are based in the UK do NOT use the advertised number as that is 90p per minute. If you do a search of ENZ and UK2NZ archives you should find their national rate number (it starts 01344 if i recall).

Rgds.,
Nick.

[zardell]

01344 716199

[madsnowman]

I've been having trouble with this as well. My wife and I have been living together for two years, but we didn't keep utility bills or bank statements from more than 6 months ago. So even with a marriage certificate, photocopies of all our rental agreements together, photos of us together (including our wedding and reception), travel receipts, and official government documents showing that we're living together right now...our case officer still won't go ahead with the interview.

Apparently, photocopies of rental leases aren't accepted. Otherwise, we'd be home free. The problem is that in the U.S., or at least in California, the rental agency is required to keep the original lease on file for up to 7 years. However, NZIS seems to only accept the original copy. I've explained this to them, as well as offered to have a notary certify a copy of them. They don't seem to be responsive to this idea though. I even sent an original document from my previous apartment complex, which shows our move-in date together, as well as our move-out date. I included it in the original stamped envelope that's addressed FROM the old apartment complex TO the new one, and highlighted all pertinent dates within the letter. This was apparently not enough.

I've been going back and forth with this for over a month now. It's the only thing standing in the way of my interview. I'm considering just getting a notary to certify copies of the leases and sending them anyway, even if my case officer didn't specifically agree to it. That's the last thing that I can think to do, because we just don't have the utility bills required to show that we were living together a year ago.

It's been fun.

[galvinp2]

:confused: Sounds like New Zealand dont actually want people to go to their country with all this red tape it bordering on the ridiculous.

[tigerlily]

It does seem funny. I'm wondering if I have utility bills from a year ago. It makes me laugh to think that we've been married for 8 years, living together for 3 before that, owned three houses together and have two children together and we still might run into trouble proving our relationship for lack of keeping utility bills! What other options are there for showing you live together?

[madsnowman]

Tigerlily, in your case you shouldn't have a problem, as long as both of your names are on your mortage agreement. I think I'm just running into this difficulty because my wife and I currently rent (it's next to impossible to buy in a decent area around here). Since they don't seem to accept photocopies of leases, I have to find another way to proove we've lived together for over a year. They seem to prefer utility bills and bank statements for that proof, which means we're a bit out of luck at the moment. It still all seems a bit ridiculous, given all that I have provided. Even if they are only photocopies, they still clearly show that we've been living together for over a year. I would think that coupled with the ORIGINAL document showing our move-in and move-out date of the previous apartment would be enough. It's getting to be very frustrating...and every response I get from my case officer says the same thing, even though I've explained that we don't have year-old utility bills, which would rule out that option. I'm pretty sure he's just messing with my head at this point.

I just hope that a notarised copy of the lease will suffice...

[tigerlily]

What about asking the utility company for an original of something, even a letter on their letterhead?

[madsnowman]

Yeah, that might work...I'll have to try. I'll let you know how it goes...

[zardell]

Madsnowman.


Just a thought..........


Cant you ask your bank for copies of your previous bank statements? If they are in joint names, surely that would suffice. If you bank on-line, maybe you could print off some copies yourself.

Good luck,

Julie

x

[veronica]

Galvinp2 just a suggestion...... but I am assuming that your partner is under 30, if so she could apply for a Working Hoilday Visa (2 Years) and come out to NZ on that, once she arrives you could get a flat under both of your names, a joint bank account and after a year she can apply from here, along with your other details that should satisfy the Immigration people. If she is over 30 she could come out on a holiday visa, look for a job and get a normal work visa.

[madsnowman]

Zardell,

Unfortunately, we just recently joined bank accounts...we just never got around to it. Additionally, the utility bills are still separated between both of us...some are addressed to me, and some to her. I think we might be able to retrieve printouts of old bills for each of us though...I'll have to look into it more. Some of the online statements don't show the previous address we were living at, but we might be able to find a combination that works...

Thanks for all the help guys! I'll let you know if I find a solution that satisfies them.

[Gran]

The NZIS seem to have changed the rules, here is an article from the NZ Herald setting out the rules.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000B86DC-79BF-1392-B1A483027AF10170

Gran

[zardell]

Well, I think this is just going from the sublime to the ridiculous.

I mean lets face it, who else do they think you would want to take with you if not your partner? Do they think you would want to take a bl***y stranger with you just so that you can go through all this hassle for the fun of it ???

Its getting beyond me.......or am I missing something.......?

Julie

[Park City Partner]

I am feeling lucky as I just haven't had that much trouble. My partner and I did realize we would need a joint bank account for me to get residency so we set that up last January. This has been the key document for us and my case officer said my application would be approved on the anniversary of the first bank statement. I too sent copies of some documents only to discover that I had to resend originals.

I sent original bank statements, letters to us both, health directives for each of us naming the other, a letter from our fertility clinic to both of us and a narative outlining the relationship and situation.

I noted in the thread that some bills are in your name and some in hers. I think if you send originals of those same bills showing the same address for both names that should help.

Which office are you applying through? DC or London?

Hang in there and good luck!

[Wiggy]

Galvinp2,

I too had the same problems that you guys are going through - genuine relationship for 6 years with e-mails, letters, photos and supporting letters from friends and family. What we didn't have was any joint bank accounts etc and most importantly we weren't living together at the time of application and hadn't been living together for 12 months continuous.

I'm afriad the bad news is that NZIS definitely won't approve your application if you're not living together for 12 months and together at the time of application. Totally frustrating I know.

Veronica had a good idea by suggesting your partner (if under 30) come out on a Working Holiday Visa. If this isn't an option (for instance I couldn't do this because I had already used mine in my backpacking days) then the advice I was given was to go to NZ and live with my partner for three months not working, on a holiday visa. Immediately set up as much as you can together (like bank accounts etc) and then after three months make an application under the partnership option - it's more than likely that she'll be given 12 months Work Visa which is then reviewed at that time for normally another 12 months. This suggestion was made by NZ House in London and by a couple of members on this forum.

(Incidently I didn't end up going down this avenue because in the mean-time I scored myself a job via telephone interview and could go out to NZ independantly)

Good luck and don't give up!

[Jimbo Logo]

...the more the merrier.

I married a Kiwi last Feb and have lived here in her house since Jan--everything is in her name (we're both in our 40's & second marriage). We had to prove we were in a relationship just so I could get a second Work Visa/Permit to let me stay long enough to apply for PR--the first one they issued was for only 9 months!

Firstly, if you want to use the Partnership provisions, you MUST be living together for at least 12 months; from everything I've been told, read, shown they will not budge on that point!

The NZIS agent we spoke with said bring anything and everything we had with the same address written on it; even if there is only one name it shows we're living in the same house. She also said to bring verifying letters from friends, rellies, work-mates, service providers (daycare, vets, DR's, etc) and anyone else that knows us as a couple. And pictures, home movies, emails, airline ticket stubs, hotel reciepts, church newsletters, anything that proved we'd been together socially (I showed my bank statements with a long list of restaurant receipts).

Anyway, I know it all seems ridiculous and overly officious, but what the heck can you do? It's their country--they're holding all the marbles.

As for the other way--getting separate Visas/permits then applying as a couple--I can't see why it wouldn't work.

(Btw, for anyone out there who might want to come here with or to meet a Kiwi partner, if you want to avoid long delays and problems, I recommend you return with the NZer and do all your applying in-country; it's perfectly legal. I came on a normal 6 month-drop-from-the-sky-with-a-refundable-return-ticket then applied to stay and have had a much easier time than my Kiwi brother-in-law and his partner who are doing from the States. Once you're here, they might as well let you work, and, should you get refused, the Kiwi can always exercise their right to have their partner stay.)

Hope this helps...someone :laugh

[G&K]

We were in the same situation... K has come out on a working holiday Visa until she decides which hospital /practice she want to work with... We have now been living together 12 months as of December... I's never too late to start collecting proof as time will really fly once you start the process. Open a joint bank account - put join names on bills etc - keep airline tickets from trips away and just start to build up a cas history for yourselves...

Oh and watch Green Card on DVD... !

[richardh]

It seems that joint bank/utility accounts are disproportionally critical in establishing partnership. Well, we don't have those. :( I own the house and pay the bills. Basically we don't have shared finances... is that truely required? I don't remember this from the information I have read.

But we do have bills in each of our names going back more than 12 months going to the same address (cell phone and DSL in her case, everything else for me). How about tax returns? We have kept these as well (seperate, but same address). Has anyone else in a similar situation (6+ years living together) been able to convince NZIS without joint bank accounts? If so, what did you feel was the critical evidence?

-Richard

[willsken]

I can't see why you would need joint accounts. As long as you each have statements coming to the same address then there should be no problem. Banks can provide copies of these statements (for a fee!! ;)) going back quite some time.

[jen]

Proof of partnership is the one thing holding up our application, too. My husband's work & education paperwork checked out & he had the phone interview in May, but our caseworker said she would use our joint trip to NZ in Oct 2004 as a start date for our relationship so we were stuck in limbo until this October at which time she said we could send in as much proof of our partnership as possible to reach the magic one-year mark.

So mid-October we sent in our marriage certificate & photos, joint bank statements, joint utilites etc. & after 3 weeks of hearing nothing we emailed our caseworker who hadn't received it! Turned out the packet arrived while she was on vacation & got misfiled in a black hole somewhere in their office. She apologized & said she would look at it & get back to us 'in a few days'. Which was 3.5 weeks ago :wah


Oh and watch Green Card on DVD... !

Ha! My explanation to people who ask me where we are in our NZ process always begins "Have you ever seen that movie Green Card?" It especially came to mind when my husband & I went on two camping trips this spring and started stalking other campers to take photos of us in front of scenic spots for the NZIS packet!

[irishgirl]

Galvinp2

Proving a partnership - don't get me started on this issue!! Grrrrrrrrr

But everything that has been said is very true - NZIS will not issue a visa based on partnership unless you are living together at the time of application, and although they do say you should be living together for 12 months, the visa officer, at their discretion, can issue a temporary 12 month work permit if you have been living together for less than 12 months, but the important thing is that you are living together when you apply.

My application was declined on this basis, but I was issued with a 9 month visitor (non-work) visa with return ticket and proof of finance conditions waived because my NZ partner was sponsoring me. I didn't qualify for the working holiday visa, and wasn't prepared to wait the length of time it took points-allocated visa to be issued, and as an Irish citizen, I could only enter the country on a 3 month holiday visa which was not long enough.

We were told by NZIS in London that we should reapply again a couple of months after I get here and outcome of that application should be more positive. In the meantime, all utility bills, etc have been changed to joint names to prove shared living quarters and "responsibilities".

This visa works for some, but not all, but I am quite happy to take a break from work for a couple of months and enjoy the summer here in Wellington, although looking out the window this morning, I can see neither summer nor the end of the garden for the mist - guess that's what happens when you live in the hills!!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, but as many have said to me, if you want something badly enough, you'll get it!


Dee

[irishgirl]

and of course, if I'd read this thread properly, I would have seen that Wiggy has already advised you on the same course of action re: partnership visa!

Apologies Wiggy!! :)


Dee

[Debbie]

It does seem as if NZIS has a bee in it's bonnett about this on, what do they think? You are all trying to bring your lodgers in with you?
If you are UK based, don't forget GP cards are an official document dated and state name and address and can be used. Also I understand that you can get a noterised statment of the electorial(sp) role which will indicate time at the address.
Wishing you all the best with your dilema.
Debbie

[jewelsvani]

I can understand where NZIS is coming from though, if you have never lived together then you haven't really tested the relationship, it is completly different when you are together in a relationship living together 24 hours a day, things change.

Another option is your girlfriend should get a working holiday visa and live there with you for two years, rent a house together for one year of this period then you have all the documentation you will need.

Good luck with it.

[Wiggy]

What a load of rubbish jewelsvani - you forget that people may have lived together for a long length of time (24/7 as you say), but just because they're not living together at the ACTUAL time of application makes you fall short of qualifying. Reasons such as university study and committments at work immediately fall into this category.

I presume that you've never experinced these problems - lucky you didn't as then you might realise how frustrating and unfair the rule is.

And what about those with religious/morals against living together prior to getting married - these people are automatically discriminated against.

[Karen]

Don't know if anyone else has used this but we were also told that phone records to and from each other could also be used as help with proof of a relationship (provided both bills go to the same address) as they show two way phone calls between you. May be worth seeing if either your land line or mobile phone providers will let you have any old copies of itemised bills?

Karen

[jewelsvani]

What a load of rubbish jewelsvani - you forget that people may have lived together for a long length of time (24/7 as you say), but just because they're not living together at the ACTUAL time of application makes you fall short of qualifying. Reasons such as university study and committments at work immediately fall into this category.

I presume that you've never experinced these problems - lucky you didn't as then you might realise how frustrating and unfair the rule is.

And what about those with religious/morals against living together prior to getting married - these people are automatically discriminated against.


Careful Wiggy don't presume, and I haven't forgot anything, I wasn't commiting on people living together before the application and then not at the time of application read what I actually said not what you think I said.

I have been to uni and spent the first 3 years of my relationship living 300 miles away from my other half, seeing each other once a fortnight, and this was after living together for a year. I know exactly how frustrating it is.

my point was that some people as in this case have never been living in a house 24/7 together and this does change things. I know that people live together for long periods of time before the application but at the time of the application they are not and I agree that the system is unfair in this respect. I was commiting on this post, the couple have never lived together 24/7 and therefore dont know how things can change.

With regards to the religious issues and not living together, I think moving 12000 miles to the other side of the world before you have lived together is a huge risk reagardles of your reasons. I suspect NZIS feel the same hence the hassle people have fullfilling the relationship requirment. Many relationships break up because they can't live with someone 24/7 I guess NZIS are guarding against this.

[ShakerMike]

I haven't read the whole of this thread, but from what I have read, I can sympathise. I have just submitted three year work visas for myself and the family. I supported the application with a joint bank statement and our marriage certificate, as well as all passports.

NZIS have now asked for additional information, such as utility bills etc to prove our marriage. Unfortunately, for reasons I can't fathom, everything with the utility companies defaults to my name. I've therefore gathered together everything I can - correspondence, 3 x joint bank account details, new joint Westpac account details, letters from insurers, car insurance certificate and home improvement invoices showing both names etc etc and I await the NZIS reaction with interest and a great deal of trepidation - this after being married for 8 years and living together for 7 years before that!

With an intended flying date of the middle of Jan, I don't think I've ever felt as stressed out as this!

Beginning to wonder whether it will ever come off!

[jewelsvani]

In shakermikes case and many like it I think the NZIS is being ridicolous, surley 8 years of marrige (and the marriage certificate) shows you are in a relationship, why do they need all the other documentation. :confused:

I am fortunate in this instance as i have joint back account details for the last 2 years, rental agreements in both names from the last two years and utility bills in both our names, if they don't accept this then god knows what we are supposed to do.

good like mike I hope you recieve the ok let us all know the outcome.

[willsken]

I agree. If you have been married for that long, can't see the problem. Have they said why you have to prove yourself? We weren't asked for any proof at all and we haven't been married much longer than you?

[ShakerMike]

They haven't said anything, they've just asked for additional evidence that the marriage is ongoing. Personally, I would have thought the fact that I can provide an eight year old marriage certificate, backed up by a current bank statement showing decent funds balance and passports for all the family is evidence that we are living together. What chance of me having all of that information if we aren't living together, particularly MOH's passport?

There are a couple of other things they have asked for, such as references from my current employer and a letter from my proposed employer (both part of the same organisation) to back up the employment contract excerpts I sent (I assumed they didn't want me to copy all 70 odd pages), so I can only hope the marriage stuff whas kind of a "whilst you are at it" request.

Either way, I now face a few traumatic days waiting

(Plus it's costing me money each time I submit the applications - I thought it would be worth using a reputable passport courier to make the submissions. To be honest, that's paid off so far but I can't afford to keep resubmitting!)

[willsken]

Makes you wonder why they think you would want to move to NZ with someone you don't have an ongoing relationship with, doesn't it? :roll

[jen]

An update for us - we just got an email today saying our application has been approved and finalized straight to residence! We sent our original application in April, and sent our accumulated documentation of partnership in mid-October - after the long wait I feel a bit like I've had the wind knocked out of me - hope it sinks in soon!

Good luck to all of you in this situation! I really think it must depend a lot on the discretion of your particular caseworker. We were married in August, and have a 'paper trail' of cohabitation only going back to October 2004 so we would still be waiting if we were being held to the standards of proof that some of you seem to be having to go though.

[Smiler]

Jen

Congratulations.

What brilliant news and a lovely christmas pressie, open the champagne now :cheers :cheers .

Deborah

[zardell]

CONGRATULATIONS :clap

Now sit back and enjoy the holidays.

:cheers

x

[Hannah]

I agree with Galvinp2, sometimes it appears that NZIS just don't want us there! The cases on this thread demonstrate pointless and meaningless red tape for the sake of red tape. What is this about? Creating jobs for people? (so long as they are not from abroad).
Maybe it's about getting people to stay in the country? If they jump through enough hoops they will never return to their home country as they tried so hard to get here? Or maybe it is just 'jobs for people'!!!!

weird.

[Nienke]

We submitted an official document from our local government office, stating the addresses we lived at for the past 12 years, and that seemed to be enough. We did not need to submit any further proof of our relationship and got our work to residence visa for 2 years without any problems.

[tofu]

Hi!

I have a similar situation with my hubby. We have been living together for 1 year and 5 months and married for 1 year and 3 months. But we only have 9 months worth of proof that we have been living together! Will this hamper the success of our application?

Thanks!!!

[Hannah]

With respect to the problems people have had on this forum proving partnership, I wonder if any of you could comment on the following:

Do those without jobs or those still in UK have more problems in terms of requests from NZIS for proof of long term relationship?Or do those who have applied from NZ have less problems (ie. travelling to NZ and finding jobs, both at same time, also counts as evidence towards being in a committed relationship)?

We are in NZ (since Nov05) and have a joint tenancy agreement and bank account here. Have lived together many years, have kids, both our names on kid's birth certs, etc. but not married. Have brought some paperwork with us to apply for residency here but NOT bills from 2004 or before (i don't hoard paperwork) but do have lots of letters, payslips etc. with UK address on and GP cards. We have never had joint bank acct until moving here. But we are here - together with joint bank acct. Are they going to say we need to have this account for a year before they grant residency? Surely not??? My partner has a job and i have an interview coming up - if i get the job i will put in an EOI with me as main applicant. Surely a joint UK bank acct can't be the only thing needed to prove we have been in a relationship??????

Have others managed to apply and get residency without this?