[karlbridges]

Hi everyone,
We shall be flying out to NZ on 30th June with perm. visas. Correct me if I get this wrong. I am particularly interested in the two questions

At Auckland we get off the plane.
We go through passport control (Q1: Do we go through control via NZ/Aussie queue or other countries queue; Q2: Do we tell them at this stage we have perm visas and if so what do they do? If not who do we tell apart from NZIS that we have arrived?)

We collect bags.

We then go to declare/not declare queues and declare stuff if we need to.

And then NZ beware because the bridges clan are here.

Many thanks,

Karl

[StevieD]

I believe you go to the NZ desk, but don't quote me on that! Good luck mate, hope won't be too long before we are following in your footsteps.

Steve :nice1

[Cardy]

hello the first time i came to nz i went through the NZ /australian gates no problem showed them my visa and had my passport stamped. the last time i came permanently with family i tried to go that way and was told GREEN PASSPORTS ONLY !! exrtremely loudly and had to leave the queue so i think you might be better going through the other gate.I think it might depend on the individual on the gate but until i get citizenship i think i will use the other gate just in case. it was very embarassing.Especially after i had told my wife and kids how friendly they were on my first visit. Cheers cardy

[Smiler]

Hi Karl

You go to the NZ passport holders queue, (well hopefully it won't be). They'll see your visa's, you don't need to point them out :nice1 They might ask a couple of questions, where are you staying but TBH they didn't ask us.

Then you wait to hear the four magic words 'Welcome to new Zealand"

That's what we got and it was just the best feeling ever!

You don't need to tell anyone you've arrived, even NZIS. Just run for the rental car and start living..............................

[Diny]

First time I arrived after getting PR I went through the NZ residents lane. No worries at all. Did the same a few weeks ago when I got back from my UK trip - still no worries.

As far as telling NZIS we had arrived - didn't do that. I just presumed they knew cos they could see (via the system) that we had arrived.

You'll be fine - and I know the excitement/trepidation you're feeling. It's quite a buzz eh.

Diny

[dawn]

I never even thought of this!! Great question.

[Tia Maria]

At Christchurch, we were ushered to the special lane for families with children under 5, which was fantastic, as it was loads shorter, and had some chairs!

It also meant that it wasn't so obvious if our children acted up, as they were amongst other children who were also letting off steam after the flight.

Cheers

Tia

[jess]

This is a bit after you land, but as I understand it, you should apply for your IRD# as soon as possible. My OH started work and was told he would automatically be taxed at the maximum rate unless he had an IRD # to give his employer. He sent in the application, and we got our # cards in just a few days - very easy. A photocopy of our passports (incl. PR visa page) was all they needed with the form. More info online at http://www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/irdnumbers/.

Have a great trip over!

[lollypop]

At Christchurch, we were ushered to the special lane for families with children under 5, which was fantastic, as it was loads shorter,


This is what happened to us too at Auckland, even though our children are 9 and 12, which was wonderful especially after the way we were treated at LA Airport.

[Nienke]

Same here, got to use the special lane for families, and I was the only one on the flight with a child!

[edsinclair]

Hey Karl!

We are flying from Honolulu to Auckland on the 30th. Are coming from America?
I'll say "Hi" if I see you on the plane.

[Albertz]

Flights are booked for the 27th of June, its going to be tight as we dont have our passports back yet so more fingers XXX for us :laugh

Albert

[KD17]

That's something I was thinking about for when we go also, as usual this forum comes up with all the answers to all the questions :)

Didn't I read somewhere, a while ago that rather than being told "Welcome to New Zealand" someone was told "Welcome Home" ? now that's what I want to hear, because as far as I am concerned, that's excactly what I am doing - going home :yes


Keith & Debby

[Avalon]

This is a bit after you land, but as I understand it, you should apply for your IRD# as soon as possible.

You can actually apply for an IRD number before you arrive if you want. Assuming you have time amonst all the other stuff you need to panic about :nice1

[Avalon]

That's something I was thinking about for when we go also, as usual this forum comes up with all the answers to all the questions :)

Didn't I read somewhere, a while ago that rather than being told "Welcome to New Zealand" someone was told "Welcome Home" ? now that's what I want to hear, because as far as I am concerned, that's excactly what I am doing - going home :yes


Keith & Debby

:clap That was us! What a feeling that was.

[KD17]

Avalon

I think that's the best kind of welcome and true appreication of all that we've (globally that is - not just us) gone through to get to place our feet on NZ soil.

I'd love to hear that said to us.



Debby & Keith

[zardell]

Flights are booked for the 27th of June, its going to be tight as we dont have our passports back yet so more fingers XXX for us :laugh

Albert


Goodness me Albertz.........you're not letting the grass grow under your feet, are you love ?

Good for you - go for it I say.

Julie

xx

[karlbridges]

Wow! Lots of replies. Many thanks everyone. I just want to say that I think this forum and the people that populate it are fab!

[Albertz]

Goodness me Albertz.........you're not letting the grass grow under your feet, are you love ?

Good for you - go for it I say.

Julie

xx

Nah, OHs employers are waiting for her to start, NZIS have moved us up the que and our levy has been paid so its all systems go, going by other posts, passports should arrive by the weekend or monday which is a big relief.

Cheers Albert

[Howie]

Didn't I read somewhere, a while ago that rather than being told "Welcome to New Zealand" someone was told "Welcome Home" ? now that's what I want to hear,

I think they said something more on the lines of "Well in you go" to us.