[Moorf]

... we've been here just over 2 yrs now. :clap

I was going to write a long post but I figured I'd said it all on here somewhere! Can't quite believe we've been here that long - time has flown by.

But to sum it up.... we love it here. :nice1

Next stop... citizenship :raebanana (if they'll have us!)

Moorf & Woz

[jubjub]

...

Next stop... citizenship :raebanana (if they'll have us!)

Moorf & Woz

:raebanana :clap :cheers , got your IRRV yet????

[Avalon]

Hey -well done! :raebanana

Not far behind you :)

[Moorf]

got your IRRV yet????

Nah, we came on visitors visa initially in Sept 04 with an EOI submitted and we didn't get our PR until March 05 so another few months yet :nice1

[KerryS]

Congrats on your two year status! Next stop Citizenship and the little black book!

[montana]

Congrats! :)

[Diny]

That has flown by !!! We've been her 15 months and it seems like we arrived yesterday.

To sum up ...... I'm starting to love it.

Maybe you can help, I'm still abit 'fuddled' on the citizen ship timing. Is it from the time you get your PR stickers in your passport or is it from the day you enter NZ. And when did it change from 3 years to 5.

Sorry to hijack your thread Moorf - congrats on your NZ longevity !!!

Diny

[Smiler]

Wow Congrats! :raebanana:raebanana

Where has the time gone, we'll have been here a year next week. :cheers

[Avalon]

To sum up ...... I'm starting to love it.

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana
That IS good news!

[Avalon]

Maybe you can help, I'm still abit 'fuddled' on the citizen ship timing. Is it from the time you get your PR stickers in your passport or is it from the day you enter NZ. And when did it change from 3 years to 5.

Its 3 years before april 2005 (I thinks its the 21st of april but im not sure), and 5 years after april 2005

IRRV is 2 years from when you got your Residence Visa.

So for example:

We got our Residence Visa in the uk on 4th November 2004

So, on November 4th 2006 we can apply for an IRRV ( :raebanana )

[Moorf]

Diny, you prompted me to call immigration - it's been bugging me for a while as to whether we come under the 3 yr or 5 yr to citizenship rules.

The upshot of my telephone conversation is that we come under the 3 yr rule as we "applied for" residency via ITA before 21st April 2005. So this "applied for" date is the one to calculate from - and the lady on the phone described it means ITA application stage - not EOI stage. So, the date that applies for our "applied for" date is the date that NZ immigration received our ITA which was Feb 2005 - so we're in! :raebanana

Does that make sense?

Our scenario was that we came on visitors visa's so no activiation date - just an application date (just read Av's post!).

[sizzlingbadger]

Wow time does fly when you're having fun :clap :cheers

Diny, I think the citizenship changed on April 20 2005 from 3 to 5 years, because we got our PR just in time :nice1 We've always been led to believe that the wait for citizenship is when you get the PR stickers in your passport but maybe some else can shed some light on it as the website is way too confusing :)

Can't believe we will have been here 18mths on 1st Oct, feels like only yesterday we arrived with nothing but our luggage.

[Kim39]

Hey well done Moorf :nice1 Can't believe we are just around the corner of 1 year, its been a struggle, but i'm hanging in there for the sake of the others in family. I could have said sod it many times over this time and just jumped a plane back, but i would have been walking into a divorce as soon as we had landed......damn should have done it:laugh


Kim

[sizzlingbadger]

Well both Moorf and Avalon beat me to it, only just though :nice1

[Avalon]

The upshot of my telephone conversation is that we come under the 3 yr rule as we "applied for" residency via ITA before 21st April 2005. So this "applied for" date is the one to calculate from - and the lady on the phone described it means ITA application stage - not EOI stage. So, the date that applies for our "applied for" date is the date that NZ immigration received our ITA which was Feb 2005 - so we're in! :raebanana

Does that make sense?

Our scenario was that we came on visitors visa's so no activiation date - just an application date (just read Av's post!).
Ooops - that means my post is wrong!

Ill edit it out so as not to confuse :nice1

[Moorf]

Well I don't know Av - maybe it's different if you get your PR in UK and then activate it at a later date?

[Marie P]

WOW ..........Congrats to you both :nice1

You have always been on the forum since we decided to do this crazy thing and its great that you are here still offering advice and good wishes to everyone :nice1

I really enjoy reading your newspaper column too !

Marie x

[Diny]

Thanks for that info guys .... and thanks for calliing immigration Moorf ..... by the dates you give I'm qualified to apply August next year. Seeing as I'm the only one in the family without a Kiwi passport I think I'll do it.

Diny

[Smiler]

Does that make sense?



:nice1 Yes it does, thank you!

And we're three weeks out on the date. :wah:wah

[Avalon]

Well I don't know Av - maybe it's different if you get your PR in UK and then activate it at a later date?
I was wondering that - so ill check and get back to this. Ive taken it out of the post just so that I dont confuse anyone. So unless someone else knows for defiantel- ill find out the difference and post it as soon as ive got it :nice1

[jubjub]

We got a letter just after they announced the 3-5 year thing, cant bloomin find it though, we wrote and asked when we would qualify for citizenship, and I am 99% certain it said if you were awarded PR before the April 2005 date.. then it would be three years.

If it were based on arrival date in country to activate the PR that would be real confusing for us, as hubby would qualify at 3 yrs and I would not, and for that reason I think its PR granted date, as we are not the only family that would be in that position.

However, the IRRV is required 2 yrs after activation of the rrv visa, or the rrv runs out. and you are stuck!

[Moorf]

However, the IRRV is required 2 yrs after activation of the rrv visa, or the rrv runs out. and you are stuck!

Yep, and remember they don't contact you to remind you, you need to apply for this yourself when your RRV runs out after 2 yrs.

[KerryS]

We've always been led to believe that the wait for citizenship is when you get the PR stickers in your passport but maybe some else can shed some light on it as the website is way too confusing :)


I got my citizenship only a couple of months after my PR, they took into account the time spent in NZ prior to getting the PR granted.
I had to wait for the next citizenship ceremony, to be sworn in and sing the national anthem. (And at least I knew the words unlike many there...)

I was eligible for citizenship before being eligible for an IRRV - crazy huh!

[Moorf]

Which visa were you on before you got your PR? WTR?

[KerryS]

Which visa were you on before you got your PR? WTR?
Me? I had work visas prior to PR. I couldn't decide if I wanted to stay or not... I was here for over 2 years before I put in the PR application. My British passport is full of kiwi visas and permits - pages and pages of them!

My new Kiwi passport just has stamps in and out of Australia so far - I'm thinking of going back to the UK and for a trip around Europe to fill it up!

[Moorf]

That's really interesting Kerry, thanks for details. I didn't realise work visas would go towards PR/citizenship :nice1

Does it matter which passport you travel on - are there any advantages / disadvantages of using one over another?

[sizzlingbadger]

Thanks for that Kerry, makes everything a bit clearer :nice1 Only another year and half before we get our citizenship :D

[KerryS]

Yep - you need to have been resident in NZ to obtain the citizenship. I've just checked the DIA website to see what does qualify and here is what they say:

"You have received your permanent residence before 21 April 2005, AND
ave been ordinarily resident in New Zealand for the last 3 years."

The definition of 'ordinarily resident' is this:
You must have been ordinarily resident in New Zealand for the last 3 years. This means that you must have been physically present in New Zealand for the last 3 years.

It also takes into account any periods out of the country in this time, and the time must be lawful, i.e. you must have a valid permit for all the time claimed.

[KerryS]

I advantage of a NZ passport for me is because I go over to Australia quite frequently and so I no longer need a entry visa.
Also, the number of pages with different visas would often mean I would spend ages in the queue at Immigration when coming back to the country whilst they read through all the visas and permits looking for the right one, despite me giving them the passport with the page open at the right place!

There aren't any other advantages - but it is cheaper than getting your UK one renewed.

[jubjub]

With regards to advantages of Kiwi passports, my friend has PR (partnership) and her hubby has kiwi passport, she has found that when they travel, in some countries the cost of visas is lower for a kiwi passport holder, than it is for her on her UK passport

[spudulike]

Its 3 years before april 2005 (I thinks its the 21st of april but im not sure), and 5 years after april 2005

IRRV is 2 years from when you got your Residence Visa.

So for example:

We got our Residence Visa in the uk on 4th November 2004

So, on November 4th 2006 we can apply for an IRRV ( :raebanana )

Avalon, Are you sure this is correct? I spoke with NZIS recently and they said that the 2 years started from the day you arrived and activated your RRV. Mind you, she didn't know citizenship had changed from 3 to 5 years so who knows.... :roll If anyone can shed any light I'd be most grateful!

Sorry to hijack the thread :o

Congratulations on the 2 years moorf! Glad you're enjoying it.

Louise :)

[Diny]

the 2 years started from the day you arrived and activated your RRV. :)

I thought this was the case too.

Diny

[Avalon]

Avalon, Are you sure this is correct? I spoke with NZIS recently and they said that the 2 years started from the day you arrived and activated your RRV. Mind you, she didn't know citizenship had changed from 3 to 5 years so who knows.... :roll If anyone can shed any light I'd be most grateful!

(furiously went round trying to find ANY bit of paper that confirmed what I had said - cos I know i read it somewhere!)

Sooo - here goes:

Its basically to do with the fact that our RRV (the visa we originally got when still in the UK) last for 2 years. So its valid from Nov 04 to Nov 06. So in November 06 we HAVe to apply for a new RRV if we wish at any point to be able to leave the country and return. Tecnically - NZIS then decide whether we are worthy of an IRRV or whether they are not quite sure yet - in which case they either tell us to go away I guess( :no ) or give us another 14 days or a year on an RRV.

However - as we have definatley spent more than the sometimes mystical 184 days a year in new zealand, and so have proved our intention to make a life here - we should (fingers crossed) get the IRRV insead of another RRV.

Either way - the RRV last for 2 years only - from the date it is issued.

Now - just to double check this - we have a letter from NZIS when we had our section 18a condition removed. And that says that our RRV does in fact run out on 3rd November 2006, and at that point we should apply for new RRVs.

Also found this - which confirms it:

After your first Returning Resident’s Visa expires you must apply for a second Returning Resident’s Visa. Your second or subsequent visa may be valid indefinitely (enabling multiple trips in and out of New Zealand indefinitely) or may be valid for 12 months or 14 days. An indefinite visa is granted provided you were the principal applicant in the original residence application, or you are included in the RRV application lodged by the original principal applicant, and you are able to meet the requirements that show commitment to New Zealand, e.g. spent most of your time in New Zealand. If you are unable to meet those requirements you may be eligible for a 12 month or 14 day Returning Resident’s Visa.

So basically - when your RRV runs out (2 years after it was granted - not 2 years after you arrived in NZ - unless you were already IN nz when it was granted in which caes its the same date I guess) - you apply for a second one - and then if you spent most of the time here - you get an IRRV, if not you get another RRV.

So in our case - 4th November - we apply and should get an IRRV. :raebanana

Edited to add - if we dont get one - ill be on here quick as a flash crying at you all

[jubjub]

Ta Av, I always thought it was two years after arrival, but two years after getting it makes more sense. Better look out the forms in a couple of months then, thought I had till the middle of next year!

[Avalon]

Right - ive got an email out to "the friendly person" at NZIS we are now dealing with to check when the clock starts ticken for the 3 - 5years, so hopefully I can confirm my reading of this (because sometimes what immigration write and what I read are not the same thing :o ) - but this is the bit we need - from the Department of Internal Affairs (sounds omminous)

General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship

To be granted New Zealand citizenship you must meet the requirements of either the Citizenship Act 1977 or the Citizenship Act (Western Samoa) 1982. You may be eligible for grant of New Zealand citizenship if you:

Intend, if granted citizenship, to continue to reside in New Zealand.
Are able to understand and speak English.
Are of good character.
Understand the responsibilities and privileges of New Zealand citizenship.
Are a permanent resident of New Zealand; and

EITHER
You have received your permanent residence before 21 April 2005, and
Have been ordinarily resident in New Zealand for the last 3 years.

OR
You have received your permanent residence on or after 21 April 2005, and
Have had your New Zealand permanent residence for the last 5 years.

So - while it seems moorf gets in under the 3 year rule (good move H :nice1 ), the time you have to actually BE RESIDENT for is 3 or 5 years - that means 3/5 years from the date you either ENTER THE COUNTRY, or if you were already here - RECIEVED YOUR RESIENCE PERMIT.

So in our case - 1st Jan 2008 (we arrived on 31st December 2004) does seem to be the date that we can apply. This follows what we have recently been told in a meeting at NZIS regarding the family sponsorship rules - which also follow the 3 year or 5 year rules.

[jubjub]

You gave me a panic Av, I have now found that letter I mentioned earlier. Letter dated 10th March 2005

Its says "the bill contains transitional provisions so that the increase will not affect people who have already applied for residency and are in the process of migrating to NZ.",

so I take that to mean if you had pr granted or were even at ITA stage before the bill came into force, you can get in within the 3 year rule. However if you had not even had your EOI accepted, you may be onto plums....

In the next paragraph he states that we will be entitled after 3 years (we better keep this letter somewhere real safe!) Our pr granted Jan 2005

[Singel]

So - while it seems moorf gets in under the 3 year rule (good move H ), the time you have to actually BE RESIDENT for is 3 or 5 years - that means 3/5 years from the date you either ENTER THE COUNTRY, or if you were already here - RECIEVED YOUR RESIENCE PERMIT.

So in our case - 1st Jan 2008 (we arrived on 31st December 2004) does seem to be the date that we can apply. This follows what we have recently been told in a meeting at NZIS regarding the family sponsorship rules - which also follow the 3 year or 5 year rules.
Like Moorf, we were also under the 3 year rule, are we considered "BE RESIDENT" on the day one we were here on tourist visa or on the date that we got our work permit :confused:

Moorf, congratulations on our 2nd Anniversary :cheers :nice1 :cheers

[Moorf]

Ivy - from reading above and from convo with immigration it's from when you got or applied for your PR AND 3 yrs resident in NZ... I queried this with them because we would have been residence since Sept 04, but the date to work from is our PR application receipt of Feb 05.

My brain aches! :wah

[spudulike]

[QUOTE=Avalon
Its basically to do with the fact that our RRV (the visa we originally got when still in the UK) last for 2 years. So its valid from Nov 04 to Nov 06. So in November 06 we HAVe to apply for a new RRV if we wish at any point to be able to leave the country and return. Tecnically - NZIS then decide whether we are worthy of an IRRV or whether they are not quite sure yet - in which case they either tell us to go away I guess( :no ) or give us another 14 days or a year on an RRV.

However - as we have definatley spent more than the sometimes mystical 184 days a year in new zealand, and so have proved our intention to make a life here - we should (fingers crossed) get the IRRV insead of another RRV.

Either way - the RRV last for 2 years only - from the date it is issued.

QUOTE]

Sorry, me again :o

My RRV says (the one in the passport) "....This RRV is current for two years from the date of issue of the original residence permit...."

The permit is issued (stamped) on arrival - it's the visa you are originally issued with in the UK. So I still think it may be 2 years from arrival??? Sorry if I'm being a bit stupid here. :confused:

Louise

[marcia]

Congrations on your two year anniversary - all this talk about RRV ans IRRV is making my brain hurt - think I'll have to come back and read this another day!

[Singel]

Helen, thanks :nice1

[Singel]

My brain aches! :wah
Same here :wah

[Avalon]

Sorry, me again

My RRV says (the one in the passport) "....This RRV is current for two years from the date of issue of the original residence permit...."

The permit is issued (stamped) on arrival - it's the visa you are originally issued with in the UK. So I still think it may be 2 years from arrival??? Sorry if I'm being a bit stupid here.

Louise No worries - my brain is so far past hurting on these visa issues that I can just ignore it these days :)

Now this is a bit wooly - BUt - what I can tell you is that:

In OUR case:

We recieved an RRV on the 4th November 2004. This had section 18a restrictions on it. This says the same thing as yours: Expires 2 years after the resident permit (Ie 31.12.06). This RRV does not have a date at the top of it where it says "Must not arrive after". Instead that says "see below" - which means that you can use that RRV upto 2 years after you get your Permit Stamp.

Then we get new RRV's when we had the section 18a removed. This is different. Firstly - it doesnt say anything in the notes about this 2 years from permit date. Instead - where it says "must not arrive after" - it gives a date - 3rd November 2006, ie two years after the Visa was first granted.

Finally - theres the letter that came with this second RRV, which says our RRV's are valid till 3rd November 2006.

So - glad they were clear about that then!

So..... its never easy is it :laugh Hubby has just asked if we could theoretically travel out of nz on the 3rd November and use the first RRV (apprently valid till 31st December) to come back in on the 4th. And thats waht it comes down to. Now at this point (if anyone is still with me :o ) I reckon no you cant - becasue although we have the sticker in the passport - im pretty sure it will have been cancelled on the computer system - so customs wouldnt let us in ( or you cant get on the flight anyway).

At the end of the day - my best advise as always on these matters is to check out your individul case and GET SOMETHING IN WRITING if the dates are really going to be important. Because the rules really are incredibly muddy. Not even the people at NZIS always know the answers - so I think we can all be forgiven for going round the houses and getting headaches trying to understand it all. Bit like tax in my book - brain dribbles out of ears!

In your case Louise - do you happen to have Section 18a on your visa? That may be why you have this 2 yr rule - in which case - it looks like when you have that removed - you revert back to the RRV expiring 2 yrs from the first Visa rhather than 2 years from entry.

Unless anyone who DIDNT have 18a restriction also has an RRV that says 2 years from Permit date - in which case I give up cos I really dont get the difference :wah I need a stiff drink.

[Trigirl]

Unless anyone who DIDNT have 18a restriction also has an RRV that says 2 years from Permit date - in which case I give up cos I really dont get the difference :wah I need a stiff drink.

fraid thats me!!!!

we don’t have any section 18 attachments but our RRV also says expires 2 years after residents permit activated. we asked and were told that our RRV would be valid for 2 years from our date of entry into NZ and that only then could we get an IRRV.

i think the difference here is that avalon’s one has been replaced. i think all “original” RRVs (with or without section 18 conditions) say 2 years from date of entry whereas replaced ones have the different condition on it.

[Avalon]

Just wanted to add quickly - the bits that im saying are from OUR paperwork, adn what we know of OUR situation. This doesnt always translate into the same thing for others. For example - I would have read Moorfs situation as being that the three years runs from the date of the residence permit - whereas that is not the case it seems. Thats becasue in our case - we were resident from the date we arrived and got the permit.

The word "resident" does have different meanings in the immigration department - that much I do know. For a start theres a difference between being resident and being a tax resident (and no - I have no idea what it is! except Ill bet its something to do with 184 days somwhere along the line :) ).

I think if anyone is concerned - look at YOUR visas. Because whatever mine says doesnt really count for a lot at the end of the day. If YOUR visa says the rrv runs out 2 years after you arrive - then it does. If YOUR visa has a different expiry - go with that.

Any doubts - email or write to NZIS and get a reply in writing or an email back. That way you have a trail of who gave you the info if something goes wrong.

I wish I could make this clearer - but im not sure theres any way to do that :o

[spudulike]

In your case Louise - do you happen to have Section 18a on your visa? That may be why you have this 2 yr rule - in which case - it looks like when you have that removed - you revert back to the RRV expiring 2 yrs from the first Visa rhather than 2 years from entry.

.

AAhhh that explains it! Yes we have a section 18a but hubby has been a bit slack about contacting them after the 3 months was up! That explains the 2nd RRV and letter that we never recieved :laugh

Note to self - Get A into G or kick hubby up said A... :laugh

Thanks Avalon, it is now much clearer than mud!

Louise

[kiwidebs]

Wow, must reread this thread and try and figure out when Hubby gets to be a Kiwi like the rest of us in the family. I think he had PR in principle before the 3 year cutoff date but we certainly hadn't got the blue stickers at that stage. Hmmm, more reading required I think.


Helen, congrats on your 2nd NZ anniversary:raebanana . Isn't it amazing how fast that time flies. (We're up to 6 months now!).

Debs

[Avalon]

Just a not - after my last post - our Internet connection got so confused - it overheated and fell over in a blubbering heap :laugh Ive only just got it back online!.

I am wondering though if following Trigirls post - there hasnt been a mistake made with the dates on our Visa???? And in fact it should expire on the 31st December 2006. In which sace the mistake works in our fovoyr - so I wont tell if you all wont :nice1

[markkellaway]

Hi,

There was a lot of debate about the new citizenship rules when they first changed, including reading the bill etc. The upshot at that time was that if the date you submitted your ITA was before the cut-off you were eligable to apply for citizenship in 3 years. The bill can be found on a government Web site somewhere.

For the RRV, it's valid for 2 years from the issue of a residence permit. The blue sticker is NOT the residence permit, it is a residence visa that entitles you to a residence permit. The permit is the stamp you get from immigration when you arrive, so the RRV is valid for 2 years from the date you arrive.

Hope that doesn't confuse things further!

Cheers,

Mark. :nice1

[Angie and Mick]

:confused:

Just trying to read all this however not sure what RRV or IRRV stands for.

A little brain dead at the moment.

[Trigirl]

returning residents visa - for getting back into the country if you leave to visit uk etc. initial one lasts 2 years (ish!)
indefinite returning residents visa - same as above but without the time restrictions. you can apply for one when your initial one runs out and it depends on you meeting certain criteria for living in NZ, maintaining a home there etc.

[Hannah]

Does it really matter whether the time you need to wait for citizenship is 3 years or 5 years if you are planning to settle and remain in NZ anyway? Or are there some benefits to being a citizen that i'm not aware of? I thought many people didn't even bother applying for citizenship (unless they were planning to move to Oz :-)
I met several long term permanent residents in NZ who didn't appear at all interested in applying for citizenship because it cost them money to do so.
Am i missing the point somewhere?

[Hannah]

Ps Sorry Moorf, thread hijack extraordinaire.... I had meant to say congratulations on your two year anniversary in my last post but clicked sent too enthusiastically!!!!

[KerryS]

Does it really matter whether the time you need to wait for citizenship is 3 years or 5 years if you are planning to settle and remain in NZ anyway? Or are there some benefits to being a citizen that i'm not aware of? I thought many people didn't even bother applying for citizenship (unless they were planning to move to Oz :-)
I met several long term permanent residents in NZ who didn't appear at all interested in applying for citizenship because it cost them money to do so.
Am i missing the point somewhere?

The reason I did apply for citizenship is that I travel to Oz quite a lot for work (no intentions of going there to live though). It makes it far simpler to go over with a NZ passport than a UK one, as I no longer need a visa.

[Angie and Mick]

Thank you for clarifying RRV and IRRV. :D

Well done 2yrs, if it anythink like this year I am sure the time has actually flown by. I do not know where this year has gone.

Angie

[Avalon]

Does it really matter whether the time you need to wait for citizenship is 3 years or 5 years if you are planning to settle and remain in NZ anyway? Or are there some benefits to being a citizen that i'm not aware of? I thought many people didn't even bother applying for citizenship (unless they were planning to move to Oz :-)
?
Actually - there is a side to is that can make it very important - and that is that the time it takes to be allowed to apply for citizenship is the same time you have to wait before you can start sponsoring family. And that can make the extra 2 years horrendous. Im not sure Id cope to be honest at the prospect of yet another 2 years of only seeing my family every 6 months.

We are being told that its currently 9-12 months to work through the family sponsorship category assuming no problems - so that make almost a 6 year wait for people before thier parents get a residence visa. If that was our situation - it also means 6 yeasr where my family have to afford flights bacwards and forwards, instead of 4 years.

We will apply for citizenship - but to be honest - for most people it may not matter, or even be desirable - and the IRRV gives you the same ability to live outside NZ for extedned periods anyway.

[jubjub]

Sorry Moorf continuing the mega hi-jack....

We will apply too, always intended to anyway, but with our little fella being a citizen it makes sense for us to be too.

The one side of it that would worry me about not being citizenised (yeah I know I made that word up!) is that if you just have PR and an IRRV, these are at the discretion of the government and can be revoked, OK it would have to be extreme circumstances I am sure, but its a slight chance (I think you would have to be the new Yorkshire ripper or such like though!), as far as I am aware they cant take citizenship off you.

There have been a couple of cases in Oz fairly recently of people have PR revoked and getting sent back from whence they came, wish I could find the links to the stories, but it was a couple of months or so back.

[Carol]

Congrats Helen and Warren!!



As far as citizenship v residency is concerned - I didn't really care if it made any difference or not.

I just wanted to be able to say "I am a New Zealander"

:nice1


10 years for us past June.......and my good buddy Julie in Whitby has been here 20.

Some days it definitely feels like 10!
Especially when you work out how much time you have spent with family still in the UK in that time.... :wah


Then other days - I drive down the motorway and STILL say
"Oh my god - I REALLY am in New Zealand"

It's like a time warp sometimes!
:laugh

[Moorf]

I can't wait to get citizenship! No particular reason, just it'll be really cool! :laugh If it helps my parents and my bro's applications then that's a bonus :D

[Avalon]

I can't wait to get citizenship! No particular reason, just it'll be really cool! :laugh If it helps my parents and my bro's applications then that's a bonus :D
With you on that!

I spoke with a gereat lady in NZIS about family sponsorship - so I have the timescales and "what to do" lists if you are interested. LMK and ill post 'em!

[kiwidebs]

With you on that!

I spoke with a gereat lady in NZIS about family sponsorship - so I have the timescales and "what to do" lists if you are interested. LMK and ill post 'em!

Have you finally got a definative answer on all this Av? Not that OH's family are planning on coming out - but they're over for a holiday next year and you never know what we can talk them into!! ;)

Debs

[Singel]

............ Not that OH's family are planning on coming out - but they're over for a holiday next year and you never know what we can talk them into!! ;)

Debs
When my in-laws visited us, MIL mentioned that she could see herself living here (even though she could not speak English)

Anyway, my hubby is not going for the citizenship.

[willsken]

Congratulations on the 2 year mark! Hope I make it to that! :D :raebanana

[jamie7121]

Hi,




For the RRV, it's valid for 2 years from the issue of a residence permit. The blue sticker is NOT the residence permit, it is a residence visa that entitles you to a residence permit. The permit is the stamp you get from immigration when you arrive, so the RRV is valid for 2 years from the date you arrive.



Mark. :nice1

Ahhhhhhhh, a light goes on in one's head! :D

[Avalon]

Have you finally got a definative answer on all this Av? Not that OH's family are planning on coming out - but they're over for a holiday next year and you never know what we can talk them into!! ;)

Debs
Yep - and an apology! Ill update the thread with it tommorow - ive been meaning to do that for days!

[Avalon]

In OUR case:

We recieved an RRV on the 4th November 2004. This had section 18a restrictions on it. This says the same thing as yours: Expires 2 years after the resident permit (Ie 31.12.06). This RRV does not have a date at the top of it where it says "Must not arrive after". Instead that says "see below" - which means that you can use that RRV upto 2 years after you get your Permit Stamp.

Then we get new RRV's when we had the section 18a removed. This is different. Firstly - it doesnt say anything in the notes about this 2 years from permit date. Instead - where it says "must not arrive after" - it gives a date - 3rd November 2006, ie two years after the Visa was first granted.

Finally - theres the letter that came with this second RRV, which says our RRV's are valid till 3rd November 2006.
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Just an Update on this (and continued apologies for using your thread Moorf, but this is where the info is:

Handed in our application for our new RRV (hopefully an IRRV) yesterday, as ours runs out on Saturday. Got a call from NZIS today (woke me up :mad: ), saying "Your RRV doesnt run out till December 31st".

Arghhhh!

So I explain (several times) that the visa ACTUALLY expires on saturday, am told (several times) that the first one says 2 years from date of entry - (the one that also says we have to do a job for 3 months, Im told (several times) we havent been here for 2 years and so havent met the policy requirements (at this point im pretty sure I KNOW the flippin policy), i was told (ditto) I have to be in the country 184 days a year for 2 twelve month periods (totally lost on the poor girl that whichever way you look at it - we have in fact fullfilled that) and it kind went around the houses like that for a while.

I have to say i took exeption to be treated as If i was trying to pull a fast one. I mean - its not MY fault the dweeb case office screwed the second visa up and put the wrong date on. And the thought of being left without a valid RRV :( .

Problem was - at no point did miss helpful offer me a solution. Just kept repeating that I cant apply for an RRV till Decemeber 31st. Hot very flippin helpful!

Eventually she strikes the stunning idea of passing it on to someone who can do more than quote policy at me, and the upshot is that a manager straight off saw the problem and said she would either give us an updated RR (no charge - I should flippin well hope so) with the right date on it, or find out if they could make an exception to poicy and give us the new RRV early.

She called back later and said that since it was thier mistake, they were going to give us the IRRV early :raebanana

On the plus side - my day has got considerably better since then!