[littlefish]

I have lodged a residency application in Dunedin on the grounds of partnership and I wonder if anyone can tell me how long it might actually take to come through. The immigration service said 12 to 18 months but I just can't believe that it will take so long. I know that the police have about a month to do their check if an individual asks so I can understand the month there. It took a couple of weeks before my letters and bills and things were returned to me so I know someone has opened my application, but what happens now? People on this forum talk about being assigned a case officer, which either hasn't happened or I haven't been told about, but then I wasn't told about one for my student or work applciations either.

It's been over three months now, and I can wait another 15 if I have to, but I'd love to hear some stories about it not taking that long.

[Soon2baKiwi]

Hi there

I applied for mine here too. I applied at the beginning of July last year at the same time as I applied for my work permit and was told the same as you. I got the work permit in 4 days and got the PR in April this year :clap They don't put the same emphasis on it when you're already here and you're going through the partnership route as they do on skilled migrants. Don't sweat it - you'll get there in the end. :cheers

[kiwidebs]

It only took us about a month from submitting everything to dh getting his PR in principle by partnership route - but that was in London. I didn't realise it took so much longer from this end. I wonder why :confused: ?

[Diny]

I too applied via NZIS in London. The process was very fast and very easy. From day 1 until getting approved in principal took just a few weeks (about 6 I think). I waited a while to pay the migrant levy but remember the entire process from day 1 to actually getting my passport back with blue PR stamp was 3 months to the day.

It's my understanding that if you apply via the partnership category you don't get assigned an actual case officer. You do get given the name and contact number of the person who's dealing with your application but they certainly don't take on the roles of the case officers that have been mentioned on the forum .... well at least mine didn't.

Partnership/family is the easiest way to obtain PR, as long as you cross the t's, dot the i's and produce everything they ask for you shouldn't be faced with too many problems or delays.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Diny

[anna_c]

If it's any help, the Wellington branch states:

Family Reunification Categories

Family, Partnership and Family, Dependent Child Categories are given preference.



50% of all applications for residence will be completed within 6-9 months from when we accept your application for processing.



95% of all applications for residence will be completed within 9-12 months from when we accept your application for processing.

[urban78]

Heya littlefish,

I applied for my partership PR visa through London as well, it took 7 weeks in total from sending the application to getting my passport back :nice1

It looks like the delays are longer if you apply in NZ though. I did get assigned a Case Officer (within a week of sending my docs), who asked to meet me when I requested to pick my passport and original documents..and he was a really nice guy :D

Good luck with youu application, it should be relatively painless ;)

Jen

[Lupin]

Sounds like it takes a lot longer once you're in NZ. My time scale is in my signature, very quick! Hope you're one of the 50% and you get it soon :)

[Jax]

Can I ask what the fees are when applying from NZ?

I understand its cheaper, but how much?

Our Partnership currently lodged with London NZIS has cost about £1000 - £400 odd for medical, similar for application and then theres a migrant levy to round it off.

Jax

[Oregonkiwi]

Jax, use the INZ fee calculator to find out fees for any application, or download the Guide to Fees:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/
The application fee is NZ$700 if you apply in NZ and currently GBP420 if you apply in the UK.
According to the fees guide, in NZ$, it's $700 to apply in NZ, $1200 to apply outside NZ, and $300 migrant levy.