[sierra]

I have residency and will be eligible to apply for my indefinite returning visa next year... however, I plan to be overseas at that time. Has anyone had experience with this? (I know that I'll have passed the eligibility requirements for the indefinite visa... What I need to know is whether there are any problems or things to remember associated with applying from overseas. Eg, do I have to wait until my current 2 year visa expires? If so, how long is my window for applying? Can I apply at any NZ embassy? How likely is it that they will ask for a new medical exam? etc. ) Thanks.

[backtonz]

1)Eg, do I have to wait until my current 2 year visa expires?

2) How likely is it that they will ask for a new medical exam? etc. ) Thanks.

1) Nope, go and get the stamp the day you are eligible for it. They just count the days, unless you are using some exotic criteria.

2) Medical condition was never a factor for IRRV. Can't believe that it is now.

[sierra]

Thanks backtonz, but I'm not sure you're right regarding whether I need to wait until my initial 2-year returning visa expires.

The Guide for Returning Residents Visa (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/CAF71A48-28D3-40B8-9D76-5C663CCA17FA/0/1005.pdf) says:

'You qualify for an “indefinite” RRV if...you held a Residence Permit at a time which was
a minimum of 2 years before the date your current application for an RRV is made.' (p. 6)

So, it sounds like I will have to wait until the day my initial visa expires to apply for an indefinite returning visa. Any disagreement with that?

[backtonz]

Oops.. Like many others, we made a recce trip after the initial PR was granted. It was the first landing and activated the initial RRV. I returned to live more than a year later. So, when we completed 18 months of living - we qualified and got the IRRV, since it was 2.5 yrs since the first residence permit.

In your case, if your first landing was also the big one, then you are right about the need to complete 2 yrs.