[San]

Finally we have decided to move on to NZ and I am coming alone first this November to Wellington on Tourist visa. I have limited funds and will require to cut costs wherever possible. If I consider I get a job in a few weeks time, how to get my family here as they are dependents and I am not planning to go back and bring them to NZ (just to reduce the travel cost and time). Lets imagine I get work permit how to get my OH and kid's Visas, I have following thoughts:

- can they get visa there in the home country itself after I get the work permit visa in NZ? or,

- shall I get them tourist Visa along with me while coming to NZ and let them come once I get the work visa with the job in NZ and get their visas in NZ itself when they are here, Or

- shall I bring them along with me (take chance) and find job get the work permit and stay here. But if I don't get job for more than 2 months I will be in problem as we have limited funds. I can arrange funds in urgent circumstances but want to be within budget.

I appreciate your responses!

[jbharvey]

- can they get visa there in the home country itself after I get the work permit visa in NZ? or,


As far as I know yes, there might be something you sign but I don't think you guys have to be together....make sure you have your proper paperwork proving your relationship.

- shall I get them tourist Visa along with me while coming to NZ and let them come once I get the work visa with the job in NZ and get their visas in NZ itself when they are here,

If they come under visitor's visa, you need to have return tickets for them, which may be expensive. If it's over 12 months, they'll need medicals.

- shall I bring them along with me (take chance) and find job get the work permit and stay here. But if I don't get job for more than 2 months I will be in problem as we have limited funds. I can arrange funds in urgent circumstances but want to be within budget.

I would say leave them behind. Find job. Get work permit. Then get them under them Family Stream and you're good to go.

If you do decide to bring them with you initially, go under visitor's visa's...if necessary have return tickets. If you're from the UK you can stay 6months without a visa. Just make sure you have return tickets and do NOT tell immigration you're planning on staying...just tell them you're sightseeing. I have been told immigration can get really finicky.

Bringing in a family when you don't have a job in another country is a big risk. If you all come through immigration and you don't look like you're visiting, then you'll be in trouble. Remember, visitor's visa's are for visitors....if your intent is to stay longer you could be in a pickle.

[San]

Wonderful! Thank you jbharvey for helping me out in my decision. I did checked my EOI points and thats coming over 120 (without job) and will be 170 if I get a job offer. I am under skilled category so hope things will be fine there for me as I have over 12 yrs of IT experience.

I am actually not clear about what steps need to be followed in order to get visas for my family if they are not coming with me initially. I want to save the cost of travelling to-n-fro to take them back to NZ as I want to use that money to pay advance for my rentals.

I hope they can get Visa (spouse and dependent child) once I get the work permit in NZ so that they can come there. I am not sure what steps need to be followed for that process.

Can anyone help me give a clear picture of the process for getting Visa for the family once I get work permit in NZ? do I need to bring their passports to NZ or they can go to home country office to get the passport stamped for visa? apart from my expenses of converting visitor to work permit visa, are there going to be any extra charges for my family visas also?

[jbharvey]

I can only speak from the limited knowledge that I've gained by researching.

You would fill out these forms:

Application to work in NZ (apply under Family Stream):
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/EC9A6BEF-1152-482F-B39F-B782EE7688FA/0/1015June16.pdf

Check out this guide:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/371C5E08-3AAE-4F62-A283-8430B1716E70/0/10162pgJuly06.pdf

Here is the section of the guide you're interested in:
The Family Stream
The Family Stream policies enable the following people to
undertake temporary employment in New Zealand:
• The partners of New Zealand citizens or residents, and
partners of Long Term Business Visa/Permit holders, whose
ultimate intention is likely to be residence.
• The partners of holders of work visas and permits.
• The partners of holders of student visas and/or permits,
who meet specifi c requirements

BUT, I'm not sure how children factor into this...they didn't specify anything in the guide.

As for applying for the work permit under family stream, it'll either be sent to your closest office UK goes to London, US goes to either LA or Washington DC. There is a page that finds where to submit to:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/officeandfeescalculator/LinkAdministration/ToolboxLinks/officeandfeescalculator.htm

Good luck, let me know if you need any other advice. I'm not quite in NZ yet so take whatever I recommend with a grain of salt and ALWAYS verify.

[Jonathon1977]

San,

I don't know if this will help but I thought I would relay my experience to you. When my partner and I decided to move to NZ I came over alone on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) to find a job. Once I had a job I then applied and was approved, same day, for a Work Visa. My partner then applied for a Working Holiday Visa which allowed us to be together while I filed for PR. About 4 months later the PR came through and we are now both living happily together in NZ as residents.

My sister in law decided to make the same move a few weeks ago. She was a few years over the age for a WHV so she came on a Visitors Visa. She found a job within 24 hours of getting off the plane! Then within 72 hours she had a Work Visa. During this time her partner and children are back in the USA waiting to move out on 6 month Visitor Visa's in November. She has already applied for PR for the entire family and the ITA should arrive in a few days.

We both took a leap of faith but at the end of the day it really was just an understanding of the rules and a dedication to see our goals achieved. Hope that helps out a bit.

[jbharvey]

However, note that the WHV restriction is that you be under 30. If you're over 30 then you're SOL. =\

[Jonathon1977]

However, note that the WHV restriction is that you be under 30. If you're over 30 then you're SOL. =\

I would like to note that my sister in law is 35 and is very far from SOL. You can get a job on Visitor's Visa and that Visa can be up to 6 months in duration. They are also wonderful about the turn around time for a Work Visa if you are willing to sit in the Immigration Offices all day and wait for the calling of your number.

I also have met several people at work who have taken the same path. The WHV just gives someone a year to deal with PR but being on a Visitor's Visa does not limit ones ability to make their dream happen. Of course in either instance you need to actually qualify for PR.

So best of luck to your and yours San!

Regards,

Jonathon

[San]

Thank you very much for your suggestions and informations. Its going to be very helpful. Infact the links given by jbharvey and the practical scenerio explained by Jonathon are very helpful and I can see the possibilities on the way. Probably I will study the application forms and try to get an idea on whether or not my family being in the home country can get the Visa's. My OH is also 30yr and I am 35+ so both can't come on WHV. I also don't want to buy return tickets for them either. I am sorry to say about my low budget because we want to come at the earliest as this is the right time. I have couple of questions but I would explore in the forum first and if not found then put them across by evening or so.