[ShakerMike]

Okay, I think I may just have fallen at the final hurdle, and I'm looking for a bit of advice and reassurance.

I have just submitted applications for my 3 year work permit and the family's accompanying permits, and then I read something more closely in the guidance.

Apparently, you have to have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after your prospective work permit end date. Unfortunately, my passport only has 2.5 years left on it, and my daughter's only 18 months. Anyone got any idea how heavily NZIS police this? Are they likely to grant the full period and let me transfer the visa to my new passport when I renew it? (I can renew at the British High Commission in wellington). Or are they more likely to dump the whole lot back on my doormat in a few days time and make me renew the passports now?

[doctor]

Hi,
I had a similar situation. I applied for a work visa (2yrs) , in january of 2005. My passport expires in march 2006. They gave me a work visa only till december 2005 (months before the expiry of the passport). At that time I talked to NZIS. I was told that I could apply for extension once my new passport is issued. Subsequently I got a new passport. I called NZIS and asked them if the visa could be transferred to the new passport. The officer that I talked to (los angeles) , said --you dont need to transfer it to the new passport.
However, according to my research, you cannot use the old passport, once a new one is issued. I think, visa needs to be transferred to new passport. Finally, I ended up not pursuing this matter further and did not go to NZ at that time (for other reasons)

[ShakerMike]

Thanks for that. So, worst case it sounds like I might get a visa for say 2 years, with two other family members being restricted to same and the youngest gets 18 months. I think I could cope with that, get there and thrash it out with NZIS and British HC once i get over there. Rather thaqt than get the whole lot back!

You've given me some reassurance anyway, no matter how slim

[willsken]

God, this is something I haven't checked. I know my kids have new ones, but mine and OH's are old. When I read this post it seemed familiar, but I haven't checked. Now I can't wait to get home from work to see!!! :uhoh

[Charlosparky]

When I read this post it seemed familiar, but I haven't checked. Now I can't wait to get home from work to see!!! :uhoh

On the Forum whilst at work!!!!! Good god man! :laugh :laugh

Our passports have only 8 months on them so we are just renewing them now and will explain the change in the amendments section of our ITA when it is submitted next month. I wonder how long NZIS wanna keep em-? :confused: we have a holiday booked for April even though we dont go to NZ until August

[gil]

When my OH had his interview for PR, the case officer mentioned that my passport expired before the 2 year Returning Residents Visa, and suggested I get it renewed before they stuck the blue stickers in. They sent it back the next day and I got my renewed passport sorted within a week! It went back to NZIS and we recieved the whole famly's passorts and visas very quickly. I don't think it held up the process by more than 10 days all told.
Hope that helps shakermike,
Gil

[ruthyroo]

For PR stickers NZIS will transfer them from one passport to the other for a fee of $50... - this might also apply for WPs.

[willsken]

On the Forum whilst at work!!!!! Good god man! :laugh :laugh


Hey, we all have a lunch break right!!........... Now, how do I change the time on that post?? :uhoh