[edsinclair]

My husband is going to NZ for job interviews. From the US we don't need to get a visa....just have our passport stamped with a visitor permit upon arrival, which allows him to stay NZ for 3 mos..

He plans on accepting a job offer while in NZ and then sending in EOI and continue with ITA without leaving the country. Can he do that if he entered without a visa, but with just a visitor permit?

Here is my question: Would it be better to apply for and get a visitor visa (which would allow him the option of extending his stay to 9 mos.) before he goes to NZ for interviews?

The visas cost money and we would rather not get one if we don't need one.

I'm concerned that the 3 mos. visitor permit would expire while he is applying for PR and wonder if he would have to leave NZ?

How did all of you that moved here before obtaining PR handle this? Did you enter on a visa that you could extend? Did any of you come without a visa, just a visitor permit?

Thank for your help!

[Oregonkiwi]

Your plan sounds good, except, if he accepts a job offer and starts working, he will need to apply for a work permit. So he could go in without a visa, get a job, apply for a work permit and start the PR process. Lots of people on the forum have done this, try searching the forum.

Visitor and work visas are free for US citizens.

good luck!