[Avalon]

This is a bit of rant.

I said a few weeks ago I would check about the difference detween family sponsorship and family quota - just to make sure we had understood it right. Mum reminded me I had to check this, so I sent an email to my case office.

This is the email trail (names removed to protect the not so innocent)

Dear CO,

I was wondering if you could clear something up for me. We will be looking to sponsor my family for residency after we have been in New Zealand for 3 years. We thought we had understood the process, but have recently seen that there is no family quota for this year. Does that affect pour plans? Is the family quota different from sponsoring family members in if we are residents?

Also, we are being told that there is a mecanism for allowing my family to stay in New Zealand while the sponsorship process is being handled - could you tell me if this is true?

As we understand - we can begin the process in January 2008, as we will have been resident for 3 years. My family actually already libe here just under 6 months of the year as Visitors.

Any help in this would be appreciated.
Yours

Hi Avalon (This was the actual greeting - depite signing my real name BTW)

Our website (URL www.immigration.govt.nz ) contains the information you require. Alternatively you can call our contact centre and they will be able to assist you. Their free phone number is 0508 558 855.

Kind Regards

CO

Dear CO,

The call center cannot take my call. And with respect - I (and many other migrants) have read through the website, and yet are still confused as to whether the Family Quota refers to us or not. In fact, if the NZIS website was at all clear, then many of us would not be spending a huge amount of our time helping other would be migrants understand it. A lot of the migration rules are confusing at best.

I was led to beleive (as are many other migrants) that our case office was there to help us find our feet, and that there would be a followup from yourself to see how we were getting on. While we have managed perfectly adequately with absolutely no such follow-up - we would appreciate it if you would answer the few queries we do have that we cannot find answers to on our own, via the website or via (generally more helpful) forums.

I hope you can understand where we are coming from here.

Your sincerely

Had to get that off my chest. Hope it gives you all a giggle :)

Of course, OH has said that my response should have been :
Dear CO
"do your job dipstick"
Rgds
A :D

[kiwidebs]

How very restrained of you. Well said. I was interested in your answer to this question too. Ah well, back my usual state of confuzzlement :confused: .

[Al_S]

No matter whether it is NZ , Canada or any other country, the bureaucracy everywhere is the same. You can never blame them for competence!!

[jubjub]

Hmm, you were very restrained, well done! :)

We have not heard from a single NZIS employee either since we got our passports back, despite sending off our NZ contact details etc...

Good job we are all so resourceful eh? :nice1

[Smiler]

Dear Avalon :confused:

Maybe they meant to reply via PM on here :laugh Lucky that Douglas started ENZ then, their work load must have halved overnight. :D

Still as clear as mud then. Whats your next move, their supervisor?

We've not heard from our CO or NZIS either despite asking shortly after we got our blue stickers, where to send the brown envelope stuffed with $$ ;)

[Avalon]

Still as clear as mud then. Whats your next move, their supervisor?
;)
Possibly. I really do need to know the answer to the flippin question after all :wah

MAybe I was indeed too restrained in my email - I have yet to hear a peep out of him.

Thing is - if he is our contact with NZIS - how on earth do I get round him? How do I find out who the supervisor is????

:wah

[Smiler]

Is she in the UK? You could try phoning and ask to speak to one.

+44 1344 716199

I'll think on some more..............

[Avalon]

Nah - this is our NZ case officer. In Wakefield st.

[Smiler]

Ahhhhh nice and local then :D Can feel a visit coming on.

Let me know if you need a minder. :laugh :laugh

[Yogi]

Our CO, Chris McKain was fantastic. She based in London.

Maybe you just got the bad one...

Cheers,

Yogi.

[Avalon]

Less restrained now :laugh

Hi Avalon (AGAIN :mad: )

Thank you for you email. As case officers we are available to assist you with your settlement. If any other family are applying for residence they receive the same assistance as any other person. We are not available assist with their applications.

Our contact centre deals with hundreds of calls on these matters per day. Their free phone number is 0508 558 855. You call also download information booklets from our website. The URL is:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/formsandguides/residence.htm
Kind Regards

Dear Mr,

While I can certainly now see where you are coming from, I do feel that I respectfully have to tell you that this is an issue that it vitally important to my settlement. I wish to ensure that when the time comes I have the correct information as I have to fill in forms to sponsor my parents. My understanding (from reading the website at least) is that I will be applying to sponsor my family . They are NOT applying for residence.They are quite capable of filling in thier forms when the time comes, but I wish to know what I have to do, and that I understand if there is a difference between family sponsorship and family quota.

More importantly I want it in writing from you. Perhaps you are not aware of this, but on the occasions that friends, or myself have contacted the "helpline" we can get 3 different answers from 3 different people. They are unreliable at best. Indeed, it transpires that one friend of mine, if following the advise from the helpine, would have been left as an Illegal Overstayer- it hardly inspires confidence. I need it in writing, and a clear answer to a simple question; Is the family quota the same as family sponsorship? And is there a mechanism for family to stay in New Zealand while the process takes place, over and obove the normal visitors visas?

I realise you are busy, and this is probably an annoyance, and I am sorry for that, but the simple truth is, there is a confusion on the website and on the helplines for many people.

I would also respectfully remind you that you have already answered a question I asked you regarding these confusions before. You kindly answered, even though it was not in any way relating to my settlement. Perhaps you can understand my confusion as to your sudden reluctance to be helpful. I am left wondering what indeed you are supposed to do in order to help us settle - as you have done nothing thus far. What indeed do we need a case officer for? If you are not prepared to be our liason at NZIS - why are you our case officer? If our only recourse to getting answers to our questions is to read the website or ask the "helpline", and get unreliable and confusing answers - why do we still have a case officer? We have settled quite successfully without any help or even concern from you, you have never even asked how we are doing - so what exactly are you there for?

If you are still not prepared to deal with this query - then could I ask that you give me the details for someone I can escalate this matter to. I am exceedingly unhappy at the utter lack of help we are getting, and I feel that this is an important matter - where are migrants supposed to turn if thier case officers refuse to help them? I feel that this is important because i have often advised people to "get it in writing from your case officer", and I do not want to waste anyones time in future if the case officers are going to refuse to answer thier questions.

Finally: please do not address your replies to "Avalon". Given the lack of a friendly or helpful response, I do not feel that such familarity is appropriate or professional. If you are not aware of my name - you will find it at the bottom of my emails.

Yours sincerely

[jubjub]

:clap

[Nienke]

Take that, you case officer! :nice1

[kiwidebs]

Oh my, I wouldn't like to get on your bad side. Very well put :clap . Let us know what sort of reply you get.

[clg]

Here is another approach that may work. Write up a discusion of the problems you are sending in a letter and send it to

David Cunliffe - Minister
Clayton Cosgrove - Associate Minister

You may get a direct response but if not they will probably forward it to NZIS and they will probably expedite it a bit since if was reffered by the minister.

Worth a shot.

Chris

[Avalon]

Oh my, I wouldn't like to get on your bad side. Very well put :clap . Let us know what sort of reply you get.
Im a "Puddy cat" really :laugh

Chris,

You know - Im really thinking of doing that. Becasue I really am very annoyed by this. (can you tell :) )I think it goes back to that thread Danpoll (?) started. We spend thousands on making the move, and really, what help do we get??? For some it really is a case of thier life savings go into this. What it costs us all to move here is more than a lot of Kiwis earn in a year - and yet im being told that its too much bother to answer a question.

I guess its lost on him that it would have been a lot quicker to just tell me what I want to know :laugh

[clg]

He probably does not know the answer or for some reason is afraid to answer it there may be some 'gray' here.

A coworker wrote to Helen Clarke on an obscure policy issue and actually got a letter back addressing the letter and a handwritten note on the letter! Good thing about living in a small country!

[Lupin]

Avalon...how on earth did he know your forum name?!!!!
Am I missing something? That seems really creepy :exit

[marcia]

Can't wait to see what reply you get now!

Does your Oh chain you up at night??

OOps sorry not being rude - i mean like a guard dog!! :laugh

Not calling you a dog or anything -

aww begger it - ya know what i mean!!!

Don't want to get on your wrong side! :)

[Smiler]

Can't wait to see what reply you get now!

Does your Oh chain you up at night??

OOps sorry not being rude - i mean like a guard dog!! :laugh

Not calling you a dog or anything -

aww begger it - ya know what i mean!!!

Don't want to get on your wrong side! :)

:laugh

[Avalon]

Can't wait to see what reply you get now!

Does your Oh chain you up at night??

OOps sorry not being rude - i mean like a guard dog!! :laugh

Not calling you a dog or anything -

aww begger it - ya know what i mean!!!

Don't want to get on your wrong side! :)
:laugh Hysterical!

[Avalon]

Avalon...how on earth did he know your forum name?!!!!
Am I missing something? That seems really creepy :exit
Ah - actually theres a reason for that - its part of my email address.

Otherwise I can see that would be creepy!

[Avalon]

Get the english language skills in this!

Dear Helen (well - at least hes learning!)

The answers to your questions are below. However they not be the answers you require, because your questions are not specific enough, my area of expertise is not the Family category and to provide accurate answers to many of the questions you have asked additional information is required. Consequently the answers below come with caveat they are less likely to be correct than the information you would obtain by having phone conversation with one of the Immigration Officers at the contact centre.

Question: is a difference between family sponsorship and family quota

Answer: Yes. Family quota only operates if all of the places in Family Stream are not filled and Minister of Immigration decides to offer the unfilled places through the Family Quota. The Minister has recently announced he will not be offering any places through the family quota this year. Family sponsorship is simply agreeing be sponsor you family member for residence under one of several different policies (e.g. adult sibling policy, parent policy etc) in the Family category.

Question: is there a mechanism for family to stay in New Zealand while the process takes place, over and obove the normal visitors visas?

Answer: If they are not residents of New Zealand they must apply for further temporary permits to remain in New Zealand lawfully. There are three categories of temporary permits – Visitor, Student or Work. Within each category there are a wide variety permits. They will have to decide which is appropriate for them. The contact centre can assist them with this.

Kind Regards

So basically - family quota is NOT the same as family sponsorship. Jeeps - what do we have to do when we have a hard question????

However - it does leave the question as to why, if he doesnt know the exact answer - he doesnt find out. Or hand the query to someone who does know. I do kinda expect that people take these things seriously. I know as a pharmacist I would get quite a few queries I didnt know the answers to, but I did go and find the answers.

Im still tempted to take this further - im not happy that you have to waste so much time arguing to get a answer to a simple question.

But for now - im off to the beach! :exit (see - hes running away - to the beach! This is sooooo cool)

[Smiler]

I've read it once and it's made my eyes hurt. :wah Why on earth doesn't he ask someone else, even the contact centre he is so fond of??? :confused:

Don't give up now though. At least two people will learn from this, you and him. ;)

[marcia]

Well he was realy helpful wasn't he?????

definatley a 'jobsworth award' for the most can't be bothered to help person at immigration!

Go higher, these guys are paid to help you and get the answers you need - not just fob you off!

[katandbob]

mmm and they say that you need to have good english skills!

well done in sort of getting your questions answered!

Kat

[beano_bill]

Hi Everyone,

I found exactly the same level of competence when dealing with the call centre in the UK. The OH is a Kiwi by desecnt and reading the crystal clear NZIS website had both of us calling the 'help-line'. I was told that I had to go through as a skilled migrant, my OH was told that I couldn't go until we'd been married more than 5 years :confused: (4 next month, but only 3 when we asked) and when I called back, I eventually got told about the Partnership Policy.............. teeth & pulling meets blood & stone!!!

Had to call them last month about renewing my passport (runs out next Nov) and in the end I think I told him what the correct answer was.

And to think the wedge we hand over pays their wages.....*shudder*

Anyway, great site :clap & glad that I found it as loads of our questions have been answered through the threads & some questions I didn't know about have been answered too!!

Beano

[marcia]

Hello beano bill - tried to do a sneaky first post there - welcome to the forum!
Keep posting and let us know all about yourself! We are just sooooooooo nosy! :laugh

[Avalon]

And to think the wedge we hand over pays their wages.....*shudder*

Oooooh - dont get me started :laugh Not only is this dweeb pai=d to help us, its our tax $$$ and fees that pay him :mad: A point I shall be making in a letter to NZIS I can assure you. This really has got me fired up.

And - as he kept going on about I should look at the website - I did - for the complaints form. People like should (i feel) be VERY careful when they tell you do something like that :laugh

Welcome to the forum Beano.

[Moorf]

Don't forget to send them the mini-bar tab :p

[Avalon]

Ooooh - thats a good idea :laugh

[Smiler]

Don't forget to send them the mini-bar tab :p

and the bill for stress counselling :p

[Avalon]

Actauuly - I think we should ALL start billing NZIS for the hours we spend on here giving advise to would be migrants and answering all the questions that the website and helpdoes wont answer :D . I mean - look at the work we save these people!!!!! They should be bleedin grateful.

I can just imagine the look on thier faces at the consultancy rates I would charge :p

[kiwidebs]

Actauuly - I think we should ALL start billing NZIS for the hours we spend on here giving advise to would be migrants and answering all the questions that the website and helpdoes wont answer :D . I mean - look at the work we save these people!!!!! They should be bleedin grateful.

I can just imagine the look on thier faces at the consultancy rates I would charge :p

If we all bill by the hour - just imagine the cost :eek:

[GeordieLass]

OK I have spent a bit of time on the NZIS website and I think I have figured the Family/Family Quota thing out. This is the example I was looking at for my own purposes.

If, after living in NZ for the requisite time, I want to bring my adult sister over, I would see if she is eligible under the Family Category (Sibling Policy). Two of the pertinent requirements are:

1) our parents and any other siblings must not live in the same country as her; and
2) she must have a job offer

Now, suppose my parents do still live in the UK and she doesn't have a job offer. We wouldn't meet the reqs for the Family Category but we would meet the less stringent reqs of the Family Quota Category.

Therefore, if you wish to bring family over, first establish whether or not the applicant and sponsor can meet the Family Category requirements (or indeed, any of the other categories). If not you have a chance to be selected under the less stringent Family Quota category but numbers are limited and in some periods (like now , for instance) there will not be any places available.

Does that sound right?

[Avalon]

Oooooh! Sounds like you might have it :clap

Which of course begs the question why doesnt "waste-of-space" at NZIS know that ??????

Cheers - thast a drink on me :clap

[katandbob]

OK I have spent a bit of time on the NZIS website and I think I have figured the Family/Family Quota thing out. This is the example I was looking at for my own purposes.

If, after living in NZ for the requisite time, I want to bring my adult sister over, I would see if she is eligible under the Family Category (Sibling Policy). Two of the pertinent requirements are:

1) our parents and any other siblings must not live in the same country as her; and
2) she must have a job offer

Now, suppose my parents do still live in the UK and she doesn't have a job offer. We wouldn't meet the reqs for the Family Category but we would meet the less stringent reqs of the Family Quota Category.

Therefore, if you wish to bring family over, first establish whether or not the applicant and sponsor can meet the Family Category requirements (or indeed, any of the other categories). If not you have a chance to be selected under the less stringent Family Quota category but numbers are limited and in some periods (like now , for instance) there will not be any places available.

Does that sound right?

Well done - Sounds like you have cracked it! and Yes Avalon, why your CO couldn't word it like that escapes me.
We have been getting questions from home about how robs siblings could get here!...I think they can see that we are doing much better over here than in the UK.

We will see....I want Rachel over first!

Kat

[Avalon]

Firstly - sorry to everyone for being way too lazy to update this before now. Ive just had a lot to deal with lately.

The upshot of all this - is that I did send a letter of complaint to the the Branch Manager of NZIS in Wellington. I recieved a phone call from her deputy as she is on Maternity leave. There were aware of a problem with my particular case officer, and were going to look into it further. We had a great chat, and she absolutely aggreed that you should be able to send questions in and get them answered, and that for specifics, the phone line help desk is no good. Anyway - as she deals with Family cases - she asked If I would like a meeting with her to go over our questions, and to work through the system of Family sponsorship.

So - here it is - this is the prosess we have to go through. Its based on the following facts:


I have only 1 brother and he is with my parents in th UK
That makes the center of gravity equal - so I can sponsor my parents
My brother will then be the only remaining family member in the UK so I can sponsor him
We come under the 3 year rule, not the five year rule


We arrived in New Zealand on 31.12.04

MUM AND DAD.

Must satisfy good character requirements
Must Satisfy Good Health requirements.

Can apply on 31 december 2007 – Cost $630 - $700 each.
Mum and dad fill in a residency application
We fill in a sponsorship form to go with that.

Taking 9-12 months to process.
Will need police record from UK (lasts 6 months – apply October 2007)
Will need Medical certificates (last 3 months – do in NZ Dec 2007)

If turned down on medical grounds – can be asked for specialist opinion
Are you going to be a drain on resources?
If declined – could get a medical waiver
Only the branch manager or the minister can authorise Medical waivers.
If still declined can ask for a second opinion.
If still declined then – goes to residence review board.

Can get Visas extended if need be past the 6 months till residency granted.

If M+D go back to the Uk in the meantime – applications generally transferred to UK – but can ask for application to be held in Wellington.
May be a hold up if done in the UK.

If not staying in NZ during processing – get a visitors visa put into
passport before coming back to NZ
Customs may flag it if you are entering as a visitor and yet have a
residency application on file.

When residency is granted – make sure visa gets into passport before
entering NZ – (This is if they have travelled back to the UK)


BROTHER

Cannot apply till mum and dad have residency.
(Approval letter is enough)
Must have a job offer in order to apply.
30 hours a week minimum.
Job description, proposed start date
Job can be anything – no requirement for being unable to fill with New
Zealander.
? Could get a student permit if he wants to do Open Poly courses (at any time).

Eligible as "Last remaining family member in UK"

[Avalon]

Continued....

So, based on that little lot - we came up with the follwoing timescales:

OCTOBER 2007
M+D get police certificates ordered while in UK
M+D+C come to NZ for 6 months (note - they usually live here Oct - April each year)

DECEMBER 2007
M+D get medicals done in NZ

JAN 1ST 2008
We apply for citizenship
We Sponsor M+D
M+D apply for residency

APRIL 2008
Ask NZIS Wellington to keep applications running in Wellington
Ask for visitors visa for 6 month trip back in October 2008
Go back to UK

OCTOBER 2008
Return to NZ
M+D have a visitor's visa
Brother will not need one but may be worth getting one anyway?

NOTE
If residency approved before October 2008 – ask for file to be
transferred to UK and get Residence Visa put in passport from there.

OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2008

Residency gets approved for M+D
Celebrate with slap up meal at Mrs Miggins Pie Shop.
Brother gets a job!!!!!!!!
Celebrate with slap up meal at Mrs Miggins Pie Shop!
We sponsor Calvin for Residency
Brother applies for residency.
Brother gets residency – application fast tracked to get a work visa as
job is dependent on it.

~April 2008
M+D go back to UK on previously booked flight tickets.
UK Tax, Benefits, Pension etc.
Sell & Ship, and generally put things in order.
Brother may be able to go back, but may not depending on job situation.

We also go back to UK holiday, shopping and a slap up celebration at Mrs Miggins olde worlde pie shoppee.

NOTES

We have to sign an undertaking to support you all for 2 years and you are
unable to claim any benefits.


I really hope that helps. Its been a nightmare trying to work all this out, but one thing is now ceratin - if you are sponsoring Adult Siblings - they MUST get a job offer BEFORE you can put the application in. It does not have to be skilled, and you do not need to prove a NZer cant be found to do it.

Hxxx

[Smiler]

Wow you certainly have got it all sorted now, good luck. :clap

Just one question really...Mrs miggins pie shopppeeee for dinner :confused:

[marcia]

Well done - great post as always :clap - one question do you have to ba a citizen before you can sponsor family members?

[Avalon]

No you dont actually! Residency will do.

We happen to be applying for citizenship at the same time (the time it takes to be able to do it is the same as for family sponsorship), but thats just a personal preference.

If you do have citizenship - it makes NO difference to the application proceedure for your family.

Also, interestingly enough, the fact that my parenst own property here does not make a difference to thier case. And if my brother bought property here, it wouldnt make a difference either.

[jubjub]

Smiler, you never watched Black Adder? Thats the only place I know that has a Mrs Miggins Pie Shoppe.

Av, great info on the residency for 3 yrs rather than having to have citizenship, may just be able to persuade the oldies..... if they know then only have to do the flight once!

[Glo & Gil]

What if I want to sponsor married brother + family as he does not fit in Skilled Migrant Category.

Is it the same criteria , i.e after 3 yrs , so and so ......

Thks

[Avalon]

Smiler, you never watched Black Adder? Thats the only place I know that has a Mrs Miggins Pie Shoppe.


Exactly! Always loved the way he said it - just cracked me up :laugh

Which is why (incidently) I kept thinking Mrs Miggins when we saw that "margies" teashop in welly.

[Avalon]

What if I want to sponsor married brother + family as he does not fit in Skilled Migrant Category.

Is it the same criteria , i.e after 3 yrs , so and so ......

Thks
Gotta be honest - I havent got a clue on that. My gut feeling says you cant do it - but thats all it is.

This is definaltly a question to ask direct of NZIS if no one here knows the actual answer.

[Smiler]

Exactly! Always loved the way he said it - just cracked me up :laugh

Which is why (incidently) I kept thinking Mrs Miggins when we saw that "margies" teashop in welly.

That's what :confused: me. They should rename that place Mrs Miggins, wasn't it awful?

[Debbie]

Thanks for the thread and the info, very usuful.
After a Xmas apart my M&D are now wanting to come to NZ. LIke you I only have 1 brother so the balance of family thing is OK.
Wanted to ask, do you know when the 3 yrs starts from, is it from when we activated our visa or from when we got our visa, (assuming we can still achieve the minimum number of days in NZ in that yr to count)?
Will your parents have to meet the same medical critia that we did? (the new skilled migrant medical)? I think in my case that will be the stumbling block.
Do you have any further info on how they define a 'drain on resources'?
Many thanks for all the help you've provides so far.
Debbie

[Trigirl]

debbie - its three years from when your visa is activated.

all applicants for residence have to meet the same health requirements - so the basic medical will be the same as the skilled migrant one. they may be eligible for a medical waiver but i'm afraid i don't know much about that - i'm sure someone else could tell you more though.

[Avalon]

debbie - its three years from when your visa is activated.
.
The clock starts from the day you are first resident. For most of us this does indeed start the day our visas are activated and we get a PERMIT to stay in the country.

However - if you happened to be here on a visitors visa or some other type of visa BEFORE you get PR, the clock is started again from teh day you are first resident - which in that case is earlier. (IE - its still the day you entered the country).

Its a bit confusing - I know - but it comes down to what the word RESIDENT means.

In this case - it refers to how long you have physically been in the country - NOT necessarily how long you have had PR for.

[Debbie]

Trigirl & Avalon, Thanks for your reply, not the andwer I was wanting but better to know up front. I've just read yet again the page from NZIS and as you quite rightly state the key phrase is holding a 'residence permit or return residence visa' so definatly from the date I entered the country and got the little black stamp as opposed to my nice big blue stamp.

I don't think Im going to have any better luck with this medical stuff either. It's hearth breaking after all the hassel caused by us comming to NZ now my parents want to get here and I realy don't think they will be allowed. I think I might have to start looking into an Oz holiday home for them. Anyone know if they can stay in Oz 6 mths and then here 6 mths. If they can do that indefinatly it might bring a little hope.

Debbie

[Avalon]

Trigirl & Avalon, Thanks for your reply, not the andwer I was wanting but better to know up front. I've just read yet again the page from NZIS and as you quite rightly state the key phrase is holding a 'residence permit or return residence visa' so definatly from the date I entered the country and got the little black stamp as opposed to my nice big blue stamp.

I don't think Im going to have any better luck with this medical stuff either. It's hearth breaking after all the hassel caused by us comming to NZ now my parents want to get here and I realy don't think they will be allowed. I think I might have to start looking into an Oz holiday home for them. Anyone know if they can stay in Oz 6 mths and then here 6 mths. If they can do that indefinatly it might bring a little hope.

Debbie

Yes they can! Though they may have to divert via Fiji or something when going from one to the other (because you have to keep under the 6 months, so a week somewhere else is advisable :D )

My parents live here just under 6 months of the year and go back to the UK for the rest of the time. So they are here pretty much October to April.

We did play with the idea of Oz / NZ for them, but they really had no interest in oz, and prefered going back to the UK. They now live in a static caravan while in the UK, and to be honest are loving it. It turns out most people on the site there also "emigrate" 6 months of the year - but mostly to spain. So mum and dad raised the bar a bit by leaving for NZ :D

Check the lists for health conditions. Its actually quite a small list that gets you an automatic "no". The rest is negotiable.

[Jenny & Mark]

I am surprised that there is no credit for the days in NZ before a residence permit. In Canada, new residences are offered a half day for each full day they were here prior to being granted PR.

Mark.

[britchik]

Hello to all !! Another newbie creeping in !
Just posted a thread on the intro and happened to come across this thread - wot can I say ?!? Avalon, you have hit the nail on the head re Immigration staff :clap
Not one of them seem to know how to do their job properly, and quite right, every person you speak to gives you a different answer and then - just in case their answer is indeed wrong, they make sure you can't quote them by name in any future phonecall !!
Right, get your head around this problem (as Palmy immigration certainly can't!)
Bear with me .....please :o
Myself and my sister have been in NZ since 03 (both presently on Permits under Partnership policy - waiting to be appointed a case officer for PR) We came over with Mum and her partner ( a Kiwi ) so mum has had PR since leaving UK.
My brother (35)and his partner and 2 children are due in NZ in March, and are coming over initially on a Visitors visa.
Right, my brother will be putting his PR application in as soon as he gets over here and is being sponsored by mum under the Adult child category, he has a job offer which isnt on the shortage list . His partner and 2 kids will be on bro's application and she will also be looking for work out here as the wage falls below the requirement needed to bring a family over. She has been a full-time Caregiver to her children so will probably be looking along that line of work.
Due to PR applications taking so long to go through, does anyone know if my brother would be able to get a temp work permit, considering he has a job that he would be able to start, even though its not on the shortage list ? I know that to be sponsored it doesnt have to be, but would a temp Permit be granted under these circumstances, as the job offer might not be there forever ?
Sorry I gone around the houses with that one a bit eh ?!
but hey ! At least you know a bit more about me now !

And while I think of it, if anyone has any dealings with ChCh immigration - why the hell does it go through to the Palmy branch first ?!!! Are ChCh to "special" to speak to us mere mortals :laugh

[Avalon]

, does anyone know if my brother would be able to get a temp work permit, considering he has a job that he would be able to start, even though its not on the shortage list ? I know that to be sponsored it doesnt have to be, but would a temp Permit be granted under these circumstances, as the job offer might not be there forever ?

The way I understood it is that yes, they would supply a temp permit to allow him to work while the application is being processed. Shortage lists really dont come into it here.

I cannot swear to this mind - as Im a bit hazy about what we were told regarding this bit. Im sorry I cannot give a better answer :o

[Avalon]

I am surprised that there is no credit for the days in NZ before a residence permit. In Canada, new residences are offered a half day for each full day they were here prior to being granted PR.

Mark.
It is. At least if this is what you mean:


However - if you happened to be here on a visitors visa or some other type of visa BEFORE you get PR, the clock is started again from teh day you are first resident - which in that case is earlier. (IE - its still the day you entered the country).

Its a bit confusing - I know - but it comes down to what the word RESIDENT means.

In this case - it refers to how long you have physically been in the country - NOT necessarily how long you have had PR for.

Moorf checked this out - because she was here as a visitor before she got PR, and even though I had my PR earlier than her - she gets to sponsor her family before I do :wah

[jo-and-jeff]

Moorf checked this out - because she was here as a visitor before she got PR, and even though I had my PR earlier than her - she gets to sponsor her family before I do
So what you're saying is, we get to add the 3 weeks that we spent here on a recce to our total number of days spent in New Zealand after we arrived with PR visas???

Jo

:confused:

[Avalon]

Nope - its when you started BEING RESIDENT. Ie you entered the country and didnt leave.

Moorf came on a visitors visa and stayed till she got her PR visa. So her 3 years starts BEFORE she got PR.

I got a PR visa THEN entered the country as a resident. So my 3 years starts when I activated my Visa.

Theres 2 definitions of the word "Resident" being used.

But in no way are they going to count a "holiday" towards this.