[starkhorn]

Folks,

I'm just a little curious about what exactly it means to be a skilled migrant in NZ.

I know it means you get the right to live and work there permanently but it doesn't mean that I get NZ citzenship, correct?

For example would I be allowed to vote in elections or claim unemployment benefits, or child benefits etc?

Also for purposes of education if my wife chooses to try to continue her education in a NZ university, would she be considered a foreign student or a NZ student?

I'm just trying to figure what we do and don't get as it isn't that clear from the immigration website. It simply saves to "live and work permanently in NZ"

Cheers
Starkhorn

[Aydon]

Citizenship will not be granted until you have been in New Zealand for at least 5 years.

[Wannaway]

PR does not equate to citizenship. You will be eligible to apply for citizenship 5 years after being granted PR (and assuming you have maintained "residence" in NZ durnig that 5 years).

PR does qualify you to vote in a General Election. I have a feeling you are not able to claim state benefits such as unemployment benefit until 2 years after arriving in NZ on a PR stamp. If you are working you may still qualify for certain benefits (such as "Working for Families credits", but not sure about this, you may need to check the IRD website and/or NZIS).

If you qualify for PR, your family should to (assuming you meet NZIS requirement regarding bona fide relationship etc). This being hte case, your wife is free to study whjatever she likes in NZ. However I think some Universities and Colleges may have a different fee structure for new migrants over citizens (but is unlikely you would be required to pay full "international student rates"). If your wife/children do not have PR but you do (or you eter on a work visa), then they will enter on a student visa. This means the kids can go to NZ state school and your wife may study but I think there may be certain restrictions (eg may only take a course that is of less than 3 months duration).

[tigerlily]

I've looked into school (a master's degree) and the uni in Wellington said fees are same for people with PR or citizenship. So it will be far less than international student fees.

I believe that you can live and work forever with PR, it's leaving and returning that they control by visas that you have to reapply for in 2 years time. Correct if wrong please!

[Wannaway]

I believe you are right Tigerlily. You get a RRV with your PR which expires after two years. However providing you have been "resident in NZ" during those two years you can renew for a new RRV which has no expiry date, meaning you can live in NZ on a PR and come and go as often as you like.

[starkhorn]

Hi all,

Many thanks for all of those posts...extremely useful. Thanks for taking the time to help make it clearer for us to understand what PR actually means.

Cheers
Starkhorn