[Rose]

Dear all,

We have finally bitten the bullet and decided to apply for PR for my Swedish partner. But... I think we haven't left ourselves enough time between when we get all the paperwork together and when we fly to NZ (November 30).

If we apply through the London office for PR, I assume we can get our passports back quickly so we can fly. We will have return tickets, because they cost the same as one-way.

Assuming we won't have had an answer yet from the London office, what would we put on my fiance's form at the airport in NZ - tourism?

Thanks for any advice and help,
Rose

[veronica]

Are you 30 or under and do you qualify to go in under the Young persons holiday visa.

[Rose]

Nope, neither of us is under 30 or looking for a working holiday visa. Why do you ask?

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Rose,

Absolutely yes, put your partner down as a tourist and then get your partner to look for a job.

We didn’t, we left the UK with PR but to be quite honest it would have been much quicker to come here on a visa and apply while we were here. Particularly come to NZ and find a job then apply for a work permit, then apply for PR

If your partner is going to be refused residency in NZ while in NZ, with a job in NZ then there is absolutely no way they would have been granted residency anyway!

My experience with NZIS is that they are very reasonable people and their concerns are as follows.

Importantly, can you work and support yourself, without being a burden on NZ (not unreasonable)

Secondly can you offer something to NZ.

When you are applying from abroad the second point is important, lets face it immigration wouldn’t be doing their job if they weren’t trying to attract the best skills that they could.

I think NZIS tries to find a balance so that it can choose people with useful skills and people who really want to be here, if your partner can show a commitment then I’m sure this will be viewed more favourably

Hope that’s helpful, Bob. :nice1

[KerryS]

The only possible problem I perceive in posing as a tourist is if you have the baggage of someone who is obviously planning to be in the country for longer than the period permitted.
There is a tv show here called Border Control, or something in that vein, which portrayed this situation a few weeks ago. The couple were obviously planning to be in NZ for longer than the 3 (or 6) month visitor permit, and were asked about the paperwork they had on them - resumes, work references etc.

I am not too sure what to advise in your situation - maybe you could just call Immigration and ask for their advice?

[Smiler]

The only possible problem I perceive in posing as a tourist is if you have the baggage of someone who is obviously planning to be in the country for longer than the period permitted.
There is a tv show here called Border Control, or something in that vein, which portrayed this situation a few weeks ago. The couple were obviously planning to be in NZ for longer than the 3 (or 6) month visitor permit, and were asked about the paperwork they had on them - resumes, work references etc.

I am not too sure what to advise in your situation - maybe you could just call Immigration and ask for their advice?

On the same series there was a young guy from Huddersfield in the UK. He was coming on a visitor's visa, planning to look for work and if he found it, apply for a work permit. He was upfront with the immigration people, had enough money ($6000 I think) to support himself for a while and a return ticket. He was wearing a suit and tie too and you don't yet many 25 year olds travelling in that nowadays! He was in the building trade.

I'd still ring immigration and check, but then I'm sort of obsessive like that.

[Rose]

Thanks, folks, I will call immigration to ask.

I think the chances of him getting a job are slim because he is a photographer and plans to do contract work. There are, we believe, very few actual jobs for photographers any more. He has done security work in the past and I suppose we could see if he could get an offer of employment that way and then apply for a work permit.

But we were really planning to apply for permanent residence first off. Does that seem an unlikely thing for him to get? I have always had good jobs in NZ and plan to earn enough for both of us, if necessary.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! Any further thoughts very welcome.

Thanks
Rose

[wolfysmith]

Thanks, folks, I will call immigration to ask.

I think the chances of him getting a job are slim because he is a photographer and plans to do contract work. There are, we believe, very few actual jobs for photographers any more. He has done security work in the past and I suppose we could see if he could get an offer of employment that way and then apply for a work permit.

But we were really planning to apply for permanent residence first off. Does that seem an unlikely thing for him to get? I have always had good jobs in NZ and plan to earn enough for both of us, if necessary.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! Any further thoughts very welcome.

Thanks
Rose
Rose

I think that if he can find work and the fact that you are living and working in NZ will go in his favour. As said before the NZIS are reasonable people and will see that your partner is simply trying to pull a fast one.

We didn't have enough points to get out there the first time. The NZIS in London gave us a 3 month window to go out and get work - which we did and then finish our PR's out there.

Wolfy

[Rose]

Wolfie

Did I read you right? The last thing I want is for NZIS to think I am pulling a fast one...

Thanks
Rose