[frogspawn]

I met my partner on the Internet 7yrs ago and we really hit it off 2.5yrs ago. He's English I'm NZder. We started dating online for 18mths.

I went over to the UK last July and spent 5weeks with him and his family (had a awesome time). He returned with me and was here until June when he returned to see his family. He came over on a working holiday visa which only lasted a year anyway.

He is looking at returning at the end of Jan. He will not beable to apply for another working holiday visa and does not have any skills. From what we have read we must be in a stable relationship (which we are) and need to be living together for 12mths (it was 11mths from when I lived with him in the UK until he returned to the UK).

Would it be easier for him to come over without a visa and apply here or should we apply before he leaves? Which visa do we apply for? We do intend to marry but we really dont want to do it for the sole purpose of obtaining a visa.

Thanks for any help or advice in advance.

[anna_c]

That one year is non-negotiable for residence. However it may be possible for him to get a work visa in order to fulfil this requirement.

I recommend you start reading http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/caniworkinnz/default.htm (http://http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/caniworkinnz/default.htm)

[frogspawn]

We have bothe looked at that website - not only on that reccomendation, but before as well, and we have to admit it gives us a headache! It's nto very clear n it just makes us think its not very easy to get over there. How can it be so hard for 2 people in love to be together when theres lots of people coming into the coutnry each year?

We were jsut wondering how feasible it would be for me to travel from the UK to there jsut on the 6 month visa and then appyling for whichever visa when I get there...As has been said before we were living together for 11 months in total before I flew home, so if we were to wait a couple of months when I first got there would we then be able to apply for the spouse visa? We have proof of joint bank accoutns etc, but we also have proof of things like internet logs from way before I flew there the first time, not to mention letters etc as well...I know its not exactly hard proof of a stable relationship but is it done on a case by case basis? And are they gonna be able to use chat logs as some kind of evidence? We have been together nearly 3 years, online and in real life, its just a case of proving it! We just want to be together but its tough as I have no relevant qualifactions for the migrant visa, and we miss out on the spouse visa by jsut one month! We can't see a way round it, and although we want to be married we don't want to be married for this reason alone - not only that we are frightened that if we do it looks even more like a sham! Cananyone shed some light on this pleeeeease? We would be so grateful for any feedback...thanks, peace out x

[frogspawn]

wow - apologies for the shocking spellign mistakes I was typing too fast n didnt even look up - usually i can type quite well but its near midnight n im knackered :S LOL

[urban78]

wow - apologies for the shocking spellign mistakes I was typing too fast n didnt even look up - usually i can type quite well but its near midnight n im knackered :S LOL

Hiya frogspawn,

In a nutshell, what the page says, is that if you haven’t been living together for 12 months but close to that in a relationship akin marriage (exclusive relationship ect), you can apply for a work permit under partner category, providing you can prove your relationship. It is really unfortunate but Immigration are pretty strict as there have been fraud cases, which spoils it for the genuine people.

Can’t really advise on the 6months visa for UK though. However, when my kiwi partner and I lived in the UK, we applied for permanent residency there and as my partner’s Working Hol visa was about to run out and we were scared my visa wouldn’t come through on time so they applied for a 6 months extension as a tourist. We had to prove we had enough funds to cover for 6 months (bank statements ect) and that they had the intention of leaving the UK before it runs out. The visa came back within a week or so but my PR visa had come through by the time all that was done. Re 6 months on arrival, I think it is possible but UK authorities will prob ask you for your return ticket just in case ;)

When we applied for NZ residency, we included emails and letters as we had lots of those (how ever mushy they were, it’s still proof :laugh :o ) and those were never questioned and all returned to us. As long as you can prove the time you have spent together, it should be ok. In any case, if Immigration have doubts, they will ask you for more proof. Being married won’t help, it’s the time you have been living together that counts.

Hope this helps,

Jen :)

[NannyOgg]

Hi Frogspawn

I am no expert but I think they ask for proof that you have been togather for 12 months - I think you have to show proof that is 12 months old or older. So jpoint accounts and bills with a date 12 months or older may just surfice if you are lucky.

Also coul dhe come over as a visitor 6 months and you woul dhave joint rent statements and accounts from now too - therefore proving your partneship for over 12 months just at different addresses?

Just a thought

Nanny x

Really not sure but it might help.

What a terrible predicamant.

[frogspawn]

Thanks Nanny, its the wise one this time (the missus the one that can type lol). We have bank statements from when he was here in NZ but closed that account before he left and everything else is in my name. Even tho we lived together for 11mths in total at the same address. He has bills that came to my address but just under his name. We are aware that getting married makes no difference. We have internet logs that can prove we have been together (even tho some of it was online dating) for nearly 3yrs.

Do you think it would be better for him to come over on a holiday hence not needing a visa and we apply for it when he is in nz? God this is all so difficult and technical thanks for those that have replied