[kree1]

Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has advice for us. We are a family of 4 wishing to relocate for about a year to NZ. I have reviewed the NZ immigration website and since our situation is so different I thought I'd post here.

My husband works from home as a computer scientist for a US based company out of California (We live in Colorado). He's worked from home for a few years and technically we could live anywhere. We want to experience life in a different country and after some thought narrowed down our choice to NZ. We plan to do this in about a year or so and are trying to plan well in advance.

Does anyone have any suggestions in terms visa, immigration? We could apply as tourists, but then might have 3-6 months only. Are there any other options? He would be receiving his US paycheck in NZ. We would rent a home and would like to send our 6 year old to school there.

Having relocated from Canada to the US (I am dual Canadian/American, my husband Canadian), we can appreciate the time and effort that goes into immigration.

Any thoughts, suggestions or pointers would be very, very helpful...

Thanks,
Krista

[kamus]

Hmmmm, well two options come to mind:

1) Long Term Business Visa/Entrepreneur. Trouble with this is that NZIS sets the bar pretty high in terms of qualifying and the process is slow. Veronica on this forum is a success story going this route

2) Skilled Migrant- You may have enough points if you and your husband both have degrees and since he is a computer scientist they may be seeking people in his line of work. See if you have enough points without a job offer and if so that's definitely the way to go. Also, don't mention that you don't plan to get a job in NZ if you go this route.

Others here will have better informed opinions than me, since I'm relatively new at this.

Good luck!

-Dave

[kree1]

if the work visa fails, can one still apply for a tourist visa?

I read that one may apply for up to 9 months visitor visa and then extend an additional 3 months IF one has not been working/going to school. We would not be working for a NZ company BUT my son would have been going to school (primary)...would this still apply?

[Douglas]

Hi Krista, I think applying for permanent residence would be your best bet - I'm assuming you would score sufficient points to qualify as skilled migrants.

Unless you find jobs in NZ (clearly this is not what you want to do) you would not qualify for work permits.

By coming as skilled migrants you will be able to live here for a year or more; plus you would qualify for medical care; plus you would not be required to pay overseas fees for your child's education. You would have to pay for health and education if you came as "visitors". :smile

[Lukas]

a turist visa may be extended easy up to 9 months