[Han]

Hi guys!
As I'm sure you know I've not posted here before but used to login from my dark hole in Essex! Now I'm living in Seatoun heights/Miramar, Wellington and finally, I'm one happy chick!
Anyway, I have a question regarding VISAs etc. I'm currently here, with my partner on a years working VISA. We are fast making this our home and the thought of having to return to blighty is...well..frightening!
So...we're thinking of applying for residency.
Here's where I need your expert opinions!
Basically, from a quick check, we've got heaps of points..which is a great position to be in I know (Partner is a 3d animator so is on the 'wanted' list ; ) ). We only realised the other day that we can have dual nationality. This is great news for us as although we love it here, work may call us back to London every now and then - sad but true.
My question in this....does anybody know if you have to be IN your country of citizenship to apply for residency? We've heard it can take a while to process the application so we thought it might be cool to apply now, while here in NZ.
Also, does anyone know if this is correct. We apply for residence in NZ and keep our British passports. This then allows us to go back and forth from the UK to NZ as many times as we like without hassle??? Sorry...but if that's true...then I can't believe my bloody luck!!
Thanks in advance guys and oh yeah, if anyone doesn't know where to find Jaffa cakes or Tetley teabags, we found a brilliant lil shop in town who deliver all over NZ. I know I can't put the site link here so email me if you want a decent cuppa...bell is SO bad!!!
Cheers again
Hannah in Welly

[Diny]

Hannah

Don't know whether my info will be of any use to you but we'll give it a go.

Yes you can have dual citizenship. It is possible to have a UK passport and an NZ passport at the same time.

I am a Brit and my husband is a Kiwi, our 2 boys are in the lucky position of having dual nationality.

You can apply for NZ citizenship but you need to have had a PR visa for 3 years. However, from Jan 1st, you will need to have had PR for 5 years.

As for where you physically hyave to be when you apply for citizenship, I can't help you on that one.

Don't know is any of this has helped, but welcome to the forum anyway, and it's good to hear you're having such a good time and have made such a good move to NZ.

Diny

[wilson182]

Hi Hannah, and welcome


You may already know this, but whilst you 'only' have permenant residence, you have to apply for a returning residents visa every time you leave New Zealand. Else you can only come back in as a visitor.

[veronica]

not sure that I have understood what you're asking.. but.. if you are here on a work visa and want to apply for a residents visa you can do that from NZ no problem, lots of people we have met have done just that. Then once you have been here 3 years (5 after Jan '05) if you want you can apply for citizenship. hope that helps.

[Han]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the tips, each was definitely useful!
Diny, can I just ask what is a PR visa? Sorry...I'm new to this...as I'm sure you've established!!

Wilson, thanks for this. I didn't know that no. So this means that ever kiwi leaving NZ needs to apply for a returning resident's visa or does that diminish if once you apply for citizenship? Seems quite funny signing in and out of what is effectively you own country!!

Veronica, no you understood my vagueness correctly - well done and thank you! That's great to know we can apply from here. I think I'll head for a consultant in that case!
Thank you, thank you, thank you guys, I'm very grateful. :nice1

G'nite
Hannah

[veronica]

We did try to set up a thread that dealt with jargon on the old forum PR is perminant Resident.

[Diny]

Hannah

Sorry about that, I was being abit misleading I think.

PR = permanent resident. They stamp this is your passport (whether it's actually called a visa or a permit or whatever I'm not exactly sure) anyway - you'll know what it is 'cos it says that you are allowed to stay in the country as long as you like.

From what I understand you don't have to apply for citizenship if you don't want to, however, alot of folks do 'cos it makes things alot easier.

The info about obtaining a returning residents visa if you leave NZ is correct. I don't know the exact order of things, but the longer you've been in NZ the less you have to obtain this visa when you leave the country. The best idea is to have a look at the NZIS website. But there again, sooner or later somebody around here will be able to give you the 'spot on' info you're needing.


Diny

[richsadams]

Hi All :cool

I posted a brief outline of gaining permanent residence today...

http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=822

Have a look if you're interested! ;)

[evelynne_r]

Hi Rich,

Yes, I saw your excellent posting on the post PR process - cheers. Just to follow up on that, I thought I'd relate my experience of leaving NZ for the first time as a PR and re-entering.

I skipped "over the Ditch" for a few days' holiday in Sydney, and must admit I was a little nervous on my return - what if there was a problem with my Returning Residents' Visa?!? Anyway, I went through the non NZ/Aus citizens queue, the officer looked at my RRV and permit and stamped a new resident permit in my passport - no fuss, nothing. Ironic when you think of all the grief you have to go through to get that first permit <g>

When I left NZ though I had to fill in a departure form declaring how long I was going to be away. I presume they keep track of that for when you have to apply for a new RRV.

Cheers

Evelynne

[funkstar deluxe]

welcome han,
My friends live right up by you! Sidlaw St!
I'm jealous cos we want to be neighbours and start our families around the same time.
(sigh)

[Jodie]

Hi Han,

How are you finding Wellington? You're certainly living in a lovely part. We got here a couple of months ago now and we're living in Johnsonville. So how long have you been here?

We submitted our eoi in September after I landed a job, and we were selected on the 15th Sep, so we're sitting on our hands now just waiting for our ITA - it's so frustrating just waiting and wondering if they will let us apply! (They're so kind, aren't they - LETTING us apply to live here!) Anyway, we got 2 year work visas in the meantime so we can start work etc, and like you, we're fast making this our home and hate the thought of having to go back to the UK if we don't get in here for any reason. :eek :( I think'll I'll go on the run here if they refuse us! ;)

Anyway, if you fancy meeting up for a drink or something some time, give me a shout.

Jode
:cheers

[Han]

Hi guys,

Sorry I've not posted, been so so busy working on my website! Finally it's sorted so if anyone needs a photographer in Welly to send xmas presents home etc...pm me!

Thank everyone so much. Rich, that post was EXCELLENT! Answered all my questions in a form of English I could understand. Thank you so so much!
I like this forum, everyone is very helpful and welcoming. I'll definitely be back. Thanks for the private messages too. I feel even more at home! :laugh

Thanks again and I'll be around

Han

[pleccy2000]

Welcome to wellington han! I've been here the grand total of 2 days!

[jesselyn]

hi hannah,

just wanna say hi and welcome to the forum! :smile

jes :angel

[Han]

Thanks Jes,

Hope you're enjoying the sun down there in Christchurch!

Could do with some constant good weather all over the country right now I think!

Thanks again

han

[veronica]

no sun here this morning. Having said that sometimes the cloud cover goes by about 11 and the sunshine takes over.

[gratto]

Hey all just wanted to drop all you Wellys a line and SAY HI, I'll be down there in another 30days and hope to hear from you all then.

[sarahw]

Hey Gratto,

We'll be arriving in 34 days - maybe we should plan a Welly meet sometime towards the end of Jan? :cool

[Han]

Hi Guys,
Great to hear you're coming out! It seems there's quite a few of us here in Welly now so I feel a grand meet up coming on!
Keep in touch and let us know when you arrive!

Hope the move doesn't stress you too much!

Han

[gratto]

yea we should setup a meeting time and place sometime in Januaryish.

[heimatseeker]

We just got here there weeks ago, too :nice1

[Carol]

where are you heimatseeker?

[heimatseeker]

Carol,

we're right in the city (Cuba Quarter). :smile

cheers,
Sibylle

[Carol]

ooooh!!!!!!!!!!
you lucky things.


what is your favourite cafe then?

[heimatseeker]

That's a tough one - so much choice! I like the Krazy Lounge as a closeby neighborhood hangout, but every time we walk down the street we see new places and tell each other, next time we need to try this one....and this one...and this one ;) For drinks, we rather like the Establishment on Courtenay Place - cool 70s-ish design and a great balcony to sit in the sun with a cold beer and people-watch :cheers

[Carol]

I LOVE the krazy lounge.
We had such a laugh in there watching our ten year old plough through their Weetbix brunch :laugh

My hubby is a fan of the Establishment - I dont get into town as often as I'd like.
He works on the Terrace so gets to frequent all these cool and groovy places!
His fav is the Malthouse I think.

[heimatseeker]

Small world... ;)

Haven't been to the Malthouse yet but just went to their website and discovered that they have my favorite German beer (Schneider Weisse) which is really hard to get outside Bavaria....I'm so there! thanks for the tip :P