[PaulJ]

Hi Group,

I had planned to be in Christchurch by end of this month, my Visa expires 24th November. I have just been too emotionally exhausted with all the stress and worry of the move and big family crisis earlier this year. I had sought counselling to help me through sorting the move. That was seven weeks ago, and have not got first appointment through yet. I have all the usual doubts and worry, but just don't have the emotional energy to deal with this and have been stuck at a wall for a while now.

I just can't decide wether to go, or to stay in UK; and trying to tell my self to just try it and find out no longer works for me. Having difficulty with dealing with some day to day problems unrelated to the move. I just desperately need some space from this to get my strength back so I can deal with the move and able to make a decision.

Just wondering if it is worth approaching NZIS to see if I could extend my visa, does anyone know if this is possible. Have been arranging a five week reccy trip, but not sure if this is going to help me move forward,

Regards,
Paul.

[Trigirl]

i do think a reccy trip is the way to go - that way your visa gets activated and you dont have to worry about it expiring, giving you the time to sort out everything else.

is there a particular reason why you dont want to do the trip? i know you said you didn't think it would help you move forward but surely activiating your visa has got to be a good thing?

[StevieD]

Paul, take a deep breath, relax, and just think things through. Contact your case officer and explain the situation. I have heard of short term extensions being given in exceptional circumstances, so go for it. I am under no illusions about this move, and it is so stressful for all concerned. So don't feel as if you are in any way unusual.

Good luck

Stevie D

[jodieinchch]

The reccy trip does seem like the way forward like TriGirl said. It would mean that you don't have to worry about the visa and might give you chance to see NZ and decide on your next move.
Good luck with whatever you chose. Keep your chin up.
Jodie

[PaulJ]

iis there a particular reason why you dont want to do the trip? i know you said you didn't think it would help you move forward but surely activiating your visa has got to be a good thing?

Thanks for all the replies, not sure if I can describe my feelings why I don't feel reccy trip is way forward. It will activate my visa, which is a good thing. Just not sure what I can gain to help me decide as I will be in holiday mentality, and would not be there to sort out accomodation or jobs as I don't know if/when I would be moving. Not the right time of year to check out concerns for heating/damp houses. I am little concerned about jetlag as I am already finding difficulty being very tired and exhausted before the trip.

Are there any knock-on effects down the line with getting hold off unlimited returning residents visa if I did the trip, but did not move until a year later ?

Paul.

[GeordieLass]

If you do the reccy trip in November you will get a two year returning residents visa which will start from the day you enter NZ. If, for example, you return in November 2007 to live and stay in NZ for another year, by November 2008 you will need to apply for another RRV in order to leave NZ and come back.

NZIS will look at the past two years. The first thing they will be looking for is whether you have spent at least six months in each of the two years in NZ. You would have met this threshold for Nov 2007 to Nov 2008 but you won't meet it for Nov 2006 to Nov 2007. However, you will have spent a full year there.

NZIS have a choice of whether to give you an indefinite RRV, a 12 month RRV or to only grant you an "emergency" RRV which lets you travel for 10 days.

On the example above, they are unlikely to grant you an indefinite RRV as you haven't met their threshold, but there's every chance they'll give you a 12 month one. If they won't do that as far as I know they will ALWAYS grant you an emergency 10 day RRV if you require it.

My understanding is that once the 12 month one expires, they again look at the length of time you've been in NZ and the duration of any absences and once they're happy you've demonstrated enough committment to life there, they'll grant you an indefinite RRV.