[Lilly]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading this forums now for a while and I love reading about everyones experiences.

I am a Kiwi and my Austrian huband has applied PR through Partnership.

We have applied through London and sent our application on July 29th.

We are still waiting to be allocated a case officer, which is completely stessing me out. :confused:

We have booked flights to NZ leaving on October 29th and I am getting more nervous by the day.

I have called the London twice and was told both times that couldn't give me any information!!

I would love to hear from any people have applied through London and thier experiences.

We will be in London next week do you think its worthwhile going to the Immigration office to see if they can answer more questions in person?

I look forward to any replies and I wish the rest of you the best of luck,

Lilly :)

[Smiler]

Hi Lilly

I don't know much about the partnership route sorry, but someone who does will be along soon.

However, use the opportunity to pop in to NZIS and ask questions, all you can gain is more info. You can ask if you've been assigned a CO, or how long waiting times are at the mo. You never know.......................:D

Not much help, but I also want to say - Welcome to the forum. :cheers:cheers

[Diny]

Hi Lilly - welcome to the forum. I have a Kiwi hubby and got my PR through the partnership category, I also applied through NZIS London.

My main bit of advice would be not to worry too much. Although you sent your application in on 29th July, that's only actually about 5 weeks (ish) ago. I can't remember the exact time it took for me to be allocated a case officer but it was around this time scale.

My complete application took exactly 3 months (to the day) from start to finish, and from what I can gather that was quite a long time. Also, when I (eventually) spoke to my case officer I was told that unless there were any problems with my application (such as filling in the forms wrong or some certs missing) I wouldn't necessarily hear from them. Others on this forum who have applied via the partnership category have reported that their applications have taken considerably less than my 3 months, and I also understand that at the moment NZIS London seem to be pretty much on the ball.

As for calling in to see them when you are in the locale, I think that's a good idea, it can't do any harm can it?

Good look and try not to worry. If you find you do have to change your flights, all depending on who you are flying with, this shouldn't be too much of a drama either.

Stressful times - I remember them well. Please feel free to PM me should you feel I can help in any other way.

All the best.

Diny

[urban78]

Hey Lilly,

As Diny said, I wouldn't worry too much either ;) Partner visas are pretty straightforward

Have you got an acknowledment of receipt of your paperwork? When you're in London, you can definitely stop by NZIS, they're really friendly and will give you all the info you need :) You don't even need an appointment, just walk in during normal business hours.

Hopefully you will hear from them soon,

Jen :)

[Lupin]

Sorry Lilly, I missed this one!

I only heard from NZIS when I had a letter to confirm receipt of application and then a phonecall from my case officer (about 2 weeks later, see below) to introduce herself and give me a time frame. I had the letter confirming PR very quickly. It can't hurt to contact them and let them know whe you're heading out there! Good luck....hope you hear very soon :)

ETA: just to check....have you received confirmation of receipt of your application Lilly? I'm pretty sure mine said I'd have a CO within a month.

[Avalon]

Hello Lilly - and welcome.

I agree with the others - a trip to NZIS in london wont hurt, and it can help ease the stress you feel.

Not only that - but while you are there - if you go into teh arcade by the side of NZ House - theres a little shop called Kiwi Fruits which sells a few bits and bobs from NZ. I used to pick up magazines from there and drooled quite a lot. Wont help at all with your applicatio im afraid - but it does just give that bit of a "Buzz" which you sometimes need.

Hugs

Hxxx

[Lilly]

Hey everyone,

Thanks so very much for your replies, they are very helpful.

I will stop by the shop and hopefully pick up some twisties and a womens weekly!

I recieved a letter today saying our application has been accepted for consideration so that was semi good news.

I have written about this in another thread.

I really appreciate all your comments it does help ease my mind.

[Park City Partner]

I applied for PR through my Partner but it went through the Washington DC office. On one NZ govt website there was a list of "marketing officers" that you could contact about immigrating. I called one and had a good chat with him and he told me about the "nice immigration officer" in the DC office. So I contacted him just to clarify a few questions before sending my application directly to him. My application went very quickly. I also told him that I was going to be in DC and that I could come by if that would be helpful. The first 2 times I suggested it (on some follow-up matters) he didn't bite but then last time he said yes. So, I went buy and got my blue stickers there and then.

So, you might see if London has any marketing people you could talk to and be a bit persistent (but polite of course) and it might pay off.

Good luck.

[kiwidebs]

Hi Lilly

I'm a Kiwi and my English Hubby got his visa by partnership route. It only took a few weeks from submission to visa - I can't remember the exact timetable as it was some time ago now. ( I think it was about five weeks or so. ) I'd def pop into NZ House while you're in London - and check out Kiwifruits - I used to go in for my dose of Jaffas, Chocolate fish, Metro and so on. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Oh, and whereabouts in NZ are you planning on settling?

[Rose]

This is a very useful thread - thanks for starting it, Lilly!

I had better get cracking. We are planning to fly to NZ at the end of November.

I have a question: does NZIS give you your passports back while shuffling the papers? Then if necessary we could enter NZ with my partner on a tourist visa.... Just wondering.

Thanks
Rose

[Diny]

Rose, I'm sure you can get your passport back if you need them while all the paperwork is being done.

I remember a year or so ago Jo B needed her passport to come here while all application was being dealt with and as far as I remember she didn't have any problems getting it.

Hope this helps.

Diny

[Rose]

Diny,

You are a bit of a treasure, aren't you. You have set my mind at rest. Thank you!

We made the decision on the weekend to apply for PR for my Swedish fiance right now, rather than wait till we get to NZ in the summer. But I suddenly worried that we might not even be able to fly while the application was being considered.

I have sent Stefan off with police and doctor's phone numbers today to do his research.

Thanks, and standby for the next question, LOL!

Rose

[Diny]

Diny,

Thanks, and standby for the next question, LOL!

Rose


No worries - happy to help, and if I don't have the answer you can bet your life somebody else will. This forum is a bottomless pit when it comes to info.

Diny

[beano_bill]

Hi Lilly,

As everyone's said before - I wouldn't worry too much. I've applied via the partnership route (not long after your OH in fact) and the letter I got back stated that I faced a wait of upto 2 months before a case officer was assigned and then a further wait of upto 2 months before a decision was made.

Key wording is upto, whilst we aren't on a deadline like the two of you - doesn't stop OH racing for the post - if we were, I would contact the NZIS office just to see how long they expect things will take. Not 100% sure how it works but maybe if they knew about your deadline they may move things forward for you.

Good luck!!