[auskiwi]

We are flying to NZ in a month or two (yay!). The kids and I all have Australian passports ( so get automatic PR on arrival) but OH is American and will be applying for PR from NZ. Anyone have any advice re: arriving at Auckland airport and dealing with the fact that the kids and I plan to have one way tickets and OH will have a return ticket? Is it OK to state to customs that we intend to apply for him to get PR once we are in NZ (if asked)...or should we all come in and check the "visiting" box...advice please, as we are on the brink of buying tickets and Im wondering if I should just buy return tickets for us all to avoid confusion at customs. Thanks!

[anna_c]

Assuming Auckland Airport is the same as Wellington, you'll need to go in different queues anyway and they likely won't notice you're together. If I were him I'd just check the visitors box - almost certainly they won't look twice but if they question him, he can tell them he's visiting initially but hopes to gain PR, but of course if he isn't successful he will leave before the expiry of his visitors permit and has the return ticket to show he is able to.

[auskiwi]

Thanks Anna!

[khhill]

I had the exact situation that you asked about. When OH (a Kiwi) and I (an American) arrived, my PR was still being processed. We went through the same line together. I checked visiting for 3 months, husband checked citizen returning home. Customs/Immigration picked up on it immediatly but had no problems letting me in.

Immigration guy did say directly that he found it hard to believe that I would be in NZ for just 3 months whilst OH was returning home indefinately. I explained that I had submitted PR application but that it was delayed as the embassy had to put priority on the student visas for the upcoming school year.

Before stamping my passport, he warned me to keep sight of the dates and make sure to get a longer visitor's visa or leave if PR had not been granted before the expiration of the 3 month visa timeframe. He also warned against trying the fly to Oz and then turning around and returning to NZ expecting another 3 months, as they are well aware of that scheme and have the right to refuse reentry.

Luckily PR was granted 2 days after arrival in NZ!

You shouldn't have a problem. Just be honest with them, as what you are doing is perfectly legal and acceptable.

Cheers

[auskiwi]

Thank you for the advice, khhill. We may apply for his visitor visa from here as I have heard they give you six months as opposed to the three months they'll give on arrival...that may make the immigration people a little less nervous. It was good to hear from someone who has gone through the process already.

I just can't wait for all of this "logistics" stuff to be over and just getting on with living the rest of our lives!

Amy.