[Moorf]

I couldn't find this particular info on the NZIS site, so perhaps someone here can help....

a) Is there an upper age limit for parents being sponsored?

b) Are they more fussy with medicals for oldies? My dad is 61 and my mum is 58. Do they take into consideration usual aging probs? Would them having private medical insurance help?

Is it correct that I can't even lodge the sponsorship form and their residency application before the exact date on which we've been on PR for 3 yrs, or can I put in a couple of months before?

Cheers
Moorf

[upnorthkyosa]

From what I've been able to gather, sponsering one's parents is not an option. It looks like the NZ government does not want to take anyone that will burden the health care system. The 55 upper age limit applies to almost all avenues of immigration unless you have some serious money to invest.

Then the investor catagory opens up.

[Smiler]

Moorf

Av might be able to help. I'll give her a nudge later. :D

D x

[Avalon]

Moorf,

No age limit :raebanana

Health - no extra consideration given for normal "aging". They have to pass the same criteria as the rest of us. and Pm doesnt make a difference. Theres a list of medical conditions which means an outright no, but thats the same standard list for everyone. Any conditions other than those will be considered and may go to a medical waiver. If I remember rightley there are about 3 chances to appeal a "no decision".

And you cant put the application in early. 3 years to the day - it can go in. If you put it in early - you get a load of grief for trying to cheat the system.

You are automatically entitled to sposor them as long as you have been resident for 3 years (in your case that takes into account the time on a visitors visa doesnt it?) The only thing that would stop you being able to do that is if you had more than 1 sibling left in the UK.

Heres a timeline I worked out for my parent sposorship:


So - here it is - this is the prosess we have to go through. Its based on the following facts:

I have only 1 brother and he is with my parents in th UK
That makes the center of gravity equal - so I can sponsor my parents
My brother will then be the only remaining family member in the UK so I can sponsor him
We come under the 3 year rule, not the five year rule

We arrived in New Zealand on 31.12.04

MUM AND DAD.

Must satisfy good character requirements
Must Satisfy Good Health requirements.

Can apply on 31 december 2007 – Cost $630 - $700 each.
Mum and dad fill in a residency application
We fill in a sponsorship form to go with that.

Taking 9-12 months to process.
Will need police record from UK (lasts 6 months – apply October 2007)
Will need Medical certificates (last 3 months – do in NZ Dec 2007)

If turned down on medical grounds – can be asked for specialist opinion
Are you going to be a drain on resources?
If declined – could get a medical waiver
Only the branch manager or the minister can authorise Medical waivers.
If still declined can ask for a second opinion.
If still declined then – goes to residence review board.

Can get Visas extended if need be past the 6 months till residency granted.

If M+D go back to the Uk in the meantime – applications generally transferred to UK – but can ask for application to be held in Wellington.
May be a hold up if done in the UK.

If not staying in NZ during processing – get a visitors visa put into
passport before coming back to NZ
Customs may flag it if you are entering as a visitor and yet have a
residency application on file.

When residency is granted – make sure visa gets into passport before
entering NZ – (This is if they have travelled back to the UK)

Does that help?

Hxxx

[Moorf]

Whew - heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I read the first reply to my post :wah

Av - as usual, a bloomin' excellent reply - gave me all the info I needed, thanks! Not sure my Dad will get thru medical as he's got high blood pressure and on heart pills... really hope that's not the case.

Thanks again Av.

Moorf
x

[Moorf]

Found the info I needed :)


Appendix 10: Medical conditions deemed to impose significant costs and/or demands on New Zealand’s health and/or education services

HIV infection
Hepatitis B surface antigen positive, with abnormal liver function
Hepatitis C, RNA positive, with abnormal liver function
Malignancies of solid organs and haematopoietic tissue, including past history of, or currently under treatment
Exceptions are:
a) treated minor skin malignancies (not melanoma)
b) malignancies where the interval since treatment is such that the probability of cure is > 90%, e.g.: early stage (I & IIA) breast cancer at 5 years; low risk prostate cancer at 5 years; early stage (Dukes A & B1) colorectal cancer at 5 years; childhood leukaemia at 5 years
Solid organ transplants, excluding corneal grafts more than 6 months old
Chronic renal failure or progressive renal disorders
Diseases or disorders such as osteoarthritis with a high probability of arthroplasty in the next four years
Central Nervous System disease, including motor neurone disease, complex partial seizures, poorly controlled epilepsy, prion disease, Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and including paraplegia and quadriplegia
Cardiac disease including ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy or valve disease requiring surgical and/or other procedural intervention
Chronic obstructive respiratory disease with limited exercise tolerance and requiring oxygen
Genetic or congenital disorders: muscular dystrophies, cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia major, sickle cell anaemia if more than one sickle crisis in 4 years, severe haemophilia, and severe primary immunodeficiencies
Severe autoimmune disease, currently being treated with immuno-suppressants other than prednisone
In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe (71-90 decibels) hearing loss or profound bilateral sensori-neural hearing loss
In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe vision impairment with visual acuity of 6/36 or beyond after best possible correction, or a loss restricting the field of vision to 15-20 degrees
In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe physical disability, where they are unable to stand and walk without support, and cannot independently dress, eat, hold a cup, or maintain their stability when sitting.

[westies]

A huge thanks to Moorf & Avalon
That has answered alot of our questions too!!

[Moorf]

I'm bumping this because I'm getting confused :confused:

I was told today, during a phone call with NZIS in New Zealand, that I can't sponsor my parents over until I have been here 3 yrs WITH PR (March 08).... yet others think it's 3 years from when I entered NZ, which was without PR and in Sept 04...

Does anyone have a reference to this at all because I can't find a thing! :no

[Trigirl]

Hi Moorf

This is from the operations manual

In each case the parent(s) must be sponsored by an adult child who:

1. is in New Zealand, and:
2. is a New Zealand or Australian citizen or the holder of a current residence permit that is not subject to requirements under s18A of the Immigration Act 1987, and
3. has been a New Zealand or Australian citizen and/or the holder of a residence permit or a returning resident's visa for at least three years immediately preceding the date the application under Parent policy is made*, and
4. in each of the three 12 month portions within that three year period, has spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand.

so it looks to me (from 3) as though you have to have had PR for 3 years - as before you had PR you would have had a visitors permit - not a residence permit.

edited to add - link is here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/6101.htm

[KerryS]

From what TriGirl has posted:
3. has been a New Zealand or Australian citizen and/or the holder of a residence permit or a returning resident's visa for at least three years immediately preceding the date the application under Parent policy is made

I would say that you could sponsor from the date of your first work permit, as that is considered a residence permit. (Just to contradict what I said on your IRRV thread... sorry!)

[Trigirl]

i'd have to disagree with that. a residence permit is one which allows you to remain indefinitely in NZ. a work permit allows you to reside in NZ for a limited amount of time and is therefore not a residence permit.

[Moorf]

:uhoh

LOL, well we were on visitors visas from when we arrived in Sept 04 until Nov 04 when Woz got his job... then PR March 2005.

I think I'll settle for March 2008 :nice1

[wilson182]

Phew..... I have read this and the IRRV thread...... And now Im really confused.

[Moorf]

I know what you mean Debs - I think I'll just point my parents to this thread! I think they've joined the forum :uhoh

[dean1968]

I have a similar question regarding sponsoring parents for 2 years. The person was informed that they were allowed to travel outside the country (NZ) for less than 6 months and would still qualify with a returning VISA. They have been in NZ for 18 months. They went home for an emergency and came back to NZ within the 6 month 180 day time frame without jeopardsing their eresidency for their parent. There parent was allowed back into NZ. They have residency and a returingn VISa allowing travel overseas and coming back to NZ. Everything is fine in that regard.

The family sponsoring their parent have now struck financial hardship and in an emergency have gone to WINZ for assistance for their parent. They have sponsored their parent for the 2 years 18 months in NZ and less than 6 months (less than 180 day soverseas. They have been told that their parent does not qualify for any assistance as they left the country. WINZ has a different policy to qualify for any benefit for their parent they have to have live in NZ for 2 years as part of the sponsorship commitment. So now that are back at square one. they have to sponsor their parent for another 2 years continiously even though they have been here 18 months and went overseas for less than 180 days. WinZ does not recognise a break. they will have to sponsor their parent for another 2 years before they can seek any benefit assistance. IS this correct?

[Trigirl]

hi dean

what type of benefit is it that they are trying to claim from WINZ?

[Avalon]

Damn! Back to square one!

I origianlly thought it was 3 years from date of residence (ie when you have a valid residence permit AND are in the country) - but then you (as in Moorf) found out that its 3 years from date of first "Residence" (Ie when you entered the country whther on a PR visa or not.

So basically we need confirmation of which is which - in writing from NZIS (to confirm the policy).

H,

Ill see if I can get anything - im on a bit of a "go slow" at the moment cos I keepgetting migraines - but Ill do my best :nice1

Dont worry - we WILL get this sorted.

Hxxx

[dean1968]

I don't know exactly. There parent is closs to retirement around 63-64 years. So I guess it would be the unemployment or sickness benefit they want. Then eventually move on to the retirement pension. They are more interested in their rights and what they are entitled to. They don't want to keep supporting their parent indefinitely. And their intention is not bludge off the state. They pay taxes like everyone else. WINZ is so fractured they have a high turnover of staff. No one wants to work there because of stress, disgruntled customers and obviously the danger money of dealing with nutters. They are getting told different stories about what support they can get.

Does the parent have to live in NZ for 2 years continously for 2 year sponsorship before they can qualify for WINZ support? The parent has been outside NZ during the 2 year sponsorship. They have been sponsored for 18 months and travelled outside of the country for less than 180 days. Some of it was business related to sell their property to live permanently in NZ. The parent came back to NZ on a returning VISA less than 180 days not to jeopardise their NZ residency. All the paperwork was correctly filled in

It is the WINZ problem.
WINZ says start again. They they have to start from zero again. The adult child will have to support her parent for another 2 years continously living in Nz before they qualify for any type of benefit. They want to know if this is correct.?Because they want to follow the rules and make surre they are not supporting their parent indefinitely. If this is correct thene their parent cannot travel outside of Nz as they are getting penalise and will stop them receiving any WINZ support.

These people are thinking they can't get any asisstance even though they were supporting the parent for 18 months and went overseas for less than 180 days. They want clarification of the rules. So they can make sure they follow the rules. The parent is close to retirement and should be entitled to a Nz pension but it is not going to happen if the parent travelz outside of NZ. I have ben told even if it is a holiday they (WINZ) says that "break" costs you (goes against you ) from qualifying for any WINZ support as you have not continously lived in Nz for 2 years.

What if there is a family illness and the parent wants to attend a funeral overseas. WINZ is almost saying you are a prisioner in Nz for 2 years before you can travel outide of NZ. There must be compassionate grounds to be allowed to travel outisde of Nz for less than 180 days? It is all so bizarre...

People complain about the govt agency WINZ because they get the run around. You get told completely different information.

The other govenment agency Immigration says you can travel outside NZ even if you are being sponsored for 2 years because they recognise people need to travel, business interests, settling down, selling property etc. This person is renting their flat and from time to time needs to travel overseas etc to check. But WINZ says no assistance unless you have live in Nz continiously for 2 years according to the letter of the law regarding the sponsorship laws. Is this correct?

[Trigirl]

Ok – these are just my thoughts and its not an area I know too much about – but there is a lot of information available on the Work and Income website (http://www.workandincome.govt.nz)

From what you are saying it sounds as though the family have fulfilled their obligations as sponsors and the parent now has full permanent residence? On that basis:

I don’t think the parent would be eligible for NZ superannuation (pension) in the near future. You have to have lived in NZ for 10 years to qualify.

Unemployment benefit is the main one where you have to have lived in NZ for 2 years continuously. A temporary absence for a holiday or work trip may still be counted as living in NZ but a longer trip (such as the one you describe) looks as though it would not. You also have to be actively looking for full-time work to claim unemployment benefit.

Sickness benefit also normally requires 2 years residence as above but I think you can be granted “sickness benefit on the grounds of hardship” before that time. Also an emergency benefit can sometimes be paid to people who are not eligible for any other benefit. Both sickness benefit on the grounds of hardship and emergency benefit are income and asset means tested.

Is the parent not entitled to an overseas pension from whichever country they have moved from?

[KerryS]

i'd have to disagree with that. a residence permit is one which allows you to remain indefinitely in NZ. a work permit allows you to reside in NZ for a limited amount of time and is therefore not a residence permit.

Not a permanent residence permit, which is not what I said, but a work permit is certainly a permit entitling residence within NZ, and is accepted as such by NZIS.

I've emailed my case officer to confirm the parental sponsorship question though.
I'm not able to sponsor my parents as my father has had heart surgery, which precludes him under the medical.
They wouldn't actually want to move permanently, I think they like having the option of extended visits all over the world to check on their various offspring...

[Avalon]

Moorf,

Cant get hold of NZIS at the moment - but it occurs to me:

Why not write a letter. You would need to address it to the Branch Manager at your local NZIS office (you dont necessarily need a name). Ask specifically for them to tell you - given your dates - when you can apply for A/ Family sponsorship and b/ citizenship.

I would make it clear that you are writing because you have recieved differing answers to these questions from the helpline (Im actually making a bit of an assumption here that this is where you have got this from), and that you cannot decide which of these sceanrios matches the info on the website. And I would also make it clear that you need a reply in writing.

I really feel that asking the people in charge is really the only way we can get clear answers. Ive always gone with what ive read on the website - BUT sometimes I get that wrong because of the way I interpret what it says (I dont think I read the same language as they write with :) )

Whatever you do - DONT rely on the helpdesk. You need to get the supervisors or managers to answer.

If I get a reply first - Ill let you know

Hugs (Ww WILL get this sorted!)

Hxxxx

[Mexican in NZ]

In the immigration PAge says also that you can only aplly for your parents if the majority of their family meaning their sons or daughters live here as if not they are more likely not to grant the application... I hope u r the only child! if not..I wish you all the luck in the world...remember to have faith and to keep trying, we all have your back here in the forum ;)
xoxo,
Adriana

[Moorf]

I've actually booked an interview with the case officer next week... should sort it out once and for all!!


The last time I wrote, by snail mail, to NZIS in Chch they took nearly 2 weeks to reply! We got PR quicker than that! :D


Moorf,

Cant get hold of NZIS at the moment - but it occurs to me:

Why not write a letter. You would need to address it to the Branch Manager at your local NZIS office (you dont necessarily need a name). Ask specifically for them to tell you - given your dates - when you can apply for A/ Family sponsorship and b/ citizenship.

I would make it clear that you are writing because you have recieved differing answers to these questions from the helpline (Im actually making a bit of an assumption here that this is where you have got this from), and that you cannot decide which of these sceanrios matches the info on the website. And I would also make it clear that you need a reply in writing.

I really feel that asking the people in charge is really the only way we can get clear answers. Ive always gone with what ive read on the website - BUT sometimes I get that wrong because of the way I interpret what it says (I dont think I read the same language as they write with :) )

Whatever you do - DONT rely on the helpdesk. You need to get the supervisors or managers to answer.

If I get a reply first - Ill let you know

Hugs (Ww WILL get this sorted!)

Hxxxx

[Moorf]

In the immigration PAge says also that you can only aplly for your parents if the majority of their family meaning their sons or daughters live here as if not they are more likely not to grant the application... I hope u r the only child! if not..I wish you all the luck in the world...remember to have faith and to keep trying, we all have your back here in the forum ;)
xoxo,
Adriana

I only have one brother remaining in the UK so, according to NZIS, that's fine - thanks Adriana :nice1 - mind you, he wants to be sponsored over too!

[Angela]

our daughter is looking to sponsor us for residency they arrived in nz august 04 on 2yr work permit they gained residency may 05 we are also in nz on work permit since june 05 immigration have told me that our daughter cannot sponsor us untill may 08 which would be 3 yrs from they gaining residency so untill then we will stay on work permits (as a matter of interest we are the wrong side of 55yrs both our daughters are in nz and have residencythe above daughter has had residency the longest ) immigration are aware since our first work permit that we are planning to have our daughter sponsor us and we own property and are settled in nz so reading the aboe messages i am confused when we can be sponsored hope this helps others trying to sponsor parents angela

[Mexican in NZ]

:raebanana Wow that is great!! U will be having all your family here very soon with a bit of luck! I wish my family wanted to come and live here, but that is not really the case...oh well is ok i guess that gives me a reason to go and visit them in Mexico and USA...Good luck!
God Bless,
Adriana
I only have one brother remaining in the UK so, according to NZIS, that's fine - thanks Adriana :nice1 - mind you, he wants to be sponsored over too!

[Avalon]

Ok, part of my question is answered - and im waiting on a reply for the rest of it - but:

For Citizenship

You may need to check with the Department of Internal Affairs to find
out the actual date it changed, but previously I think if you were
granted a residence permit before April 2006 (this is the date you need
to check with them), that you were eligible for citizenship after three
years of being in New Zealand lawfully regardless of what kind of permit
you held, as long as you also held residence at the time of lodging your
citizenship application.

Therefore, if you arrived on a visitors permit and changed to a work
permit then was granted residence the three years would start counting
from the first day you arrived in New Zealand.

After April 2006 it is from the first day you are granted a residence
permit (not visa) and it is 5 years.

Hope that helps (partly)

[Avalon]

And heres the rest of it:clap

Family Sponsorship


Family sponsorship for residence is a completely separate policy from
the Citizenship one, we both make up our own rules and regulations and
are governed by different Ministers and departments. Therefore, the
change in the Citizenship rules had no bearing on what happens with
Immigration policy, family sponsorship is still 3 years from the date of
your residence permit being issued.

So im afraid that means you do have to wait a little longer Moorf:no

Hxxx

[Moorf]

Brilliant Av - thanks! It's only another 6 months from September this year, will give the folks longer to sort the house and family!! Thanks mate... :nice1

[Avalon]

You are very welcome :D

[wilson182]

:yes Most excellent.... As usual Av:clap

[Debbie]

My M&D are wanting to come to NZ but it looks like we will have to wait untill we can sponsor them because of their ages.

I have some sponsorship questions I wonder if anyone can shed so light on.

1) I assume you (Angela) were under 56 when you first entered NZ, (if that's not to personal). If not please tell me how you did it?

immigration have told me that our daughter cannot sponsor us untill may 08 which would be 3 yrs from they gaining residency so untill then we will stay on work permits (as a matter of interest we are the wrong side of 55yrs angela

Does anyone know of a visa that you can use if you are over 56yr. Everything I've found cuts off there but I can't find the date of a business visa, (hope thats the right name).

2) My dad is very active and loves work, (keeps him out of my mums way) and doesn't realy want to stop work when he gets here. If we sponsor hm can he legally work when he gets here. He would be happy doing odd jobs/ driving as long as he's out and about.

3) Is there a limit to the number of parents you can sponsor, do you have to show an income surplus amount per parent? Could we sponsor OH father at the same time as having a sponsorship commitment to my parents?

Thanks for your help, we just want to share our NZ life with our nearest and dearest.
Debbie

[Angela]

hi debbie in reply to your question we sold up in uk came over at the same time as our younger daughter and her family (husband and two young boys) we all came over on visitors visas her husband had interviews lined up we sent all our furniture in son in laws name as he was the most likely to get a job and work permit first (this was the case and we had no problems with our container my husband and i were 56 yrs coming up to our 57birthdays when we came over my husband found it initally hard to find employment as he was a coach driver in uk and all his licences did not match in nz so he had to do variations in them so i looked for a job had a few employers say they dont sponsor for work permit (they seem to be scared of immigration)once i got a job offer (support worker )with a care agency it needs to be a min of 30 hrs a week and i applied for a general w/permit(as care work is not on any shortage list so they done a labour survey and at the same time applied for an open w /permit so he could take up any job he liked this has worked for us and we have not had any problems renewing w/permit as i have stayed in the same job immigration are aware of our situation as we had to write a letter to make our case before we got w/permit hope this helps (immigration never gave us the impression age was an issue the only thing we have had a problem getting was health insurance as they all want you to have 2 yr w/permit (we have been having 1 year each time )but have been advised this time we will get 2yr which will take us up to pr

[Danpoll]

Moorf,

generally it is " been resident in New Zealand for ..years to qualify" this is most govt things.

I thought You could get a work Permit at any age as long as you were healthy and not a criminal.


As for the five year thing I was told by NZIS and the Rt Hon George Hawkins wrote to me and told me that: If you had a PR visa in your passport before april 06 then you were in on the 3 year deal. Its whats in your passport and not where you and your passport were on the 1st April 06.

Also did you know that after 186 days you can leave NZ and go back to the UK and on your 2nd anniversary of arriving in NZ get the Indefinate PR from the London office.

Citzenship applications on your 3rd birthday or 5th then take between 9 and 12 months to process.

Dan

[Rusty]

[QUOTE=Moorf;113472]I've actually booked an interview with the case officer next week... should sort it out once and for all!!


Hi Moorf.
Did you get any good information or confirmation from the meeting that you could share?

Many thanks

[Cat Woman]

I have read all of this and am just as confused. My parents are 64 and 73 and we have only been here 15 months so dad will be 76 before he can move out here. My only hope is that their application will go through quickly as I am an only child and they have no family in UK

[Moorf]

I discovered no more info than I've gleaned from Av etc on here - and he didn't even mention what I've now been told and that is they have the work visa option....

But he did confirm the timescales that Av told me - i.e. 3 yr anniversary of PR and around 6months from app to visa at present, if done in NZ.

They did confirm there was no way or shortening the PR sponsorship route.

[Rusty]

Thanks Moorf, glad I didn't have to call or travel into London to find out nothing.
just shows there is more info on here!

[Jodie]

Found the info I needed :)
Genetic or congenital disorders: muscular dystrophies, cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia major, sickle cell anaemia if more than one sickle crisis in 4 years, severe haemophilia, and severe primary immunodeficiencies
[/list]

Just reading through the list Moorf posted a while ago about conditions deemed to pose a burden to the health service here - Even tho it sounds very strict, I think there is a little bit of leeway here, because I have a mild form of muscular dystrophy and if going by the list, I should have been declined or given a medical waiver, but with a good letter from my specialist in the UK and after a check up and bunch of tests with a 'specialist' here (who was looking up my condition in a manual while I was sat there!!), I got residency with no questions asked and no medical waiver issued.

So there is a bit of hope if you go at it with a positive attitude and detirmined face methinks! :)

[Jodie]

I've got another question about sponsoring parents - my folks plan to come out in November this year on 6 month tourist visas with the aim of looking for work for my Dad and then applying for rresidency on their own skills (they're both 50 and Dad has run a drainage and maintenance company for the last 10 years - drainage management is on the shortage list so hopefully he would qualify).

But - what happens if he doesn't get a job or can't go down the skilled migrants category for whatever reason?

I qualify to sponsor them as of July next year (3 years from getting my residency stamp), so what would be the possibility of them getting extensions on their visas or getting a work permit for general work until I could sponsor them and the application gets processed?

How does the sponsorship category work? From what I remember reading before, your application goes into a pool and they make a draw every year - if you're picked out you get processed, if not - wait til the next year. Is this right or is this a different category that I'm thinking of? Is it a done deal going down the sponsorship route (assuming medicals and police checks are satisfactory) or is there still uncertainty about if they'd get approved or not?

It's all such a minefield and we've been out of the immigration system for 2 years now so I'm battling to get my head round it all again! :S

Cheers guys,

Jod

[Moorf]

Hey Jodie - how goes it?! :nice1

Long time no hear - good to see you on the forum again.

I have just found out that parents can come out on a work permit - any job - and this could be extended until such time that they could be sponsored. This info was on another thread which I'll try and find.

Helen
x

[Moorf]

Here's the thread.... http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10953&highlight=sponsoring

[Trigirl]

also sponsoring parents is "family category (parent)". the one you are thinking of that is a ballot is "family quota" which is used for bringing out family members that aren't otherwise eligible

[Moorf]

I believe the family quote "ballot" has been cancelled for this year - I'll try and find official announcement on that......

Found it:

The number of places available under the Family Quota Category is announced by the Minister of Immigration each year. As there are no places available under the Family Quota in 2007, there will be no registration period for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007.

Source: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/live/familyquota/

[mechidna]

Ok, part of my question is answered - and im waiting on a reply for the rest of it - but:

For Citizenship


Hope that helps (partly)

Well, now I'm confused. I thought the date was 21 April 2005. I believe the 2006 date refers to the changes on children being born in NZ.

Geez, I got really excited for a minute there...

Michele

[Trigirl]

it is april 2005. from DIA:

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.

[Debbie]

I've tried to look at this work visa option online via NZIS and what I read it as is this;
If my dad gets a job offer for a job thats on the Immediate job shortage list or long term shortage list he can apply for a work visa which should last 2-3 yrs. At the end of this time, (or when our 3yrs is up) we can sponsor him and my mum for PR.
BUT... If the job is not on either of these two lists then there seems to be some long winded process an employer can go through, (if you can get one to agree to it) to prove to NZIS that no NZ'er is available to do the job.http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily/requirements/generalworkother.htm

Needs more checking out I think, but looks like I'm back to waiting to sponsor my M&D.
Debbie

For me the more immediate problem seems to be that my parents would have to under go a second medical when we sponsored them. This means they could sell up and move here for 2/3 yrs on a work visa and them get turned down for PR on medical grounds in the future and end up with no home in the UK and unable to stay in NZ.

[Jodie]

Thanks for the info guys!

Moorf - I still snoop round here now and then so I can make sure I know what you're all up to! ;) Things here are good - ever changing actually. We've just sold our house and are moving from Wellington to Tauranga at the end of May! Bring on the sun and the bay lifestyle! Woo hoo! :)

So - for this sponsorship stuff - thanks for clearing up my confusion about family sponsorship vs family quota categories. Am I right in assuming then that with family sponsorship, as long as they pass the medicals, it's pretty much a done deal? Just a case of waiting for the application to be processed?

One more thing I'd like to clear up - I've read and re-read stuff and my understanding is that I can sponsor them after I've been here as a Permanent Resident for 3 years, not 5 (this is for citizenship)? We got our PR in July 05 (took them 10 months to process our application so we've missed the 3 year citizenship route! grrrrrr!).

Very interesting about the work permit thread Moorf - didn't think that would be an option so we were pushing them down the skilled migrant route, but they want to be in Tauranga (near us) and I'm sure it's not the busiest labour market for Dad to go and get work - thought they'd have to find work 'anywhere', get their residency and then move to Tauranga once all that proces was over. Sounds like it could be easier this way...

Jod

[nicola in nz]

hi,

With regards to the citizenship thingy we were told be immigration that as long as our residency application was being prosessed by the date in april 05 ( can't remember exactly) then we would still be entitled to apply for citizenship after 3 years as long as we kept the documentation that we got from immigration stating they were processing our application, we were approved in prinicple before that date but didn't get the blue stickers till we paid the migration levy in may 05.

Nicola

[Mickstim]

My wife and I have just been granted residency. We are both retired and are being sponsored by our son who has been in NZ for 4 years. We lodged our application on 12th February and got residency on 1st May, exactly 11 weeks from start to finish.

There doesn't seem to be any age limit provided to meet the medical requirements.

Mike

[Moorf]

Mike, you just made my day! :nice1

[Debbie]

That's great news Mike, where did you lodge your application?
I've heard of quick turn around times like that for applications lodged in NZ but the only person I know sponsored and applied via the UK office took a yr. O' I hope this is a new and continuing trend.
Debbie

[sizzlingbadger]

Congratulations Mike :cheers

I have a question, not sure if it's been covered before (if it has apologies :o )

My mum has her son and her brother still in the UK but what if she wanted to move over here. She has a sister and me (daughter) here so there's not really a centre of gravity either way ? We also have grandchildren where as my brother doesn't yet, would this swing it ?

We won't be able to sponsor till next year but just wondering if she decided to come out and stay :)

[Avalon]

Please make sure you have the correct forms.

It probably won't surprise anyone - but NZIS staff seem to working with OLD forms (prior to Sept 5th 07) which do not have questions in them relating to the recent rules changes.

This is really only a problem if you pick up a form from the offices, or you need to ask a question (if you reference a question - they can have different numbers).

The downloadable forms are the correct version.

So check:

On the Sponsors Form: (NZIS 1024)
The front page should have question and tick box saying that you or your partner meet the Minimum Income Requirement.
There is a space to put your partners name if they will be the ones meeting the requirement.
Also, if your partner is the one who meets the income level, then they have to sign the form (which needs to be WITNESSED), even if it is not thier parents being sponsored. Strange but true.

On the residence form (NZIS 1000)
Question C11 should note that you need to supply a completed Sponsorship form which provided evidence that the minimum income requirement is met.

[Caroline and Dave]

Please make sure you have the correct forms.

It probably won't surprise anyone - but NZIS staff seem to working with OLD forms (prior to Sept 5th 07) which do not have questions in them relating to the recent rules changes.

This is really only a problem if you pick up a form from the offices, or you need to ask a question (if you reference a question - they can have different numbers).

The downloadable forms are the correct version.

So check:

On the Sponsors Form: (NZIS 1024)
The front page should have question and tick box saying that you or your partner meet the Minimum Income Requirement.
There is a space to put your partners name if they will be the ones meeting the requirement.
Also, if your partner is the one who meets the income level, then they have to sign the form (which needs to be WITNESSED), even if it is not thier parents being sponsored. Strange but true.

On the residence form (NZIS 1000)
Question C11 should note that you need to supply a completed Sponsorship form which provided evidence that the minimum income requirement is met.

Wow,
Welcome back stranger,
You have been sorely missed,By me at least and I am sure many others

[Debbie]

Welcome back Avalon, I've been wondering how you were getting on with the sponsoring process. All the best with that. Did your parents come over the 6mths prior on the visitor visa? I hope this all works out well and I'm counting down the 21mths until we can sponsor parents over.

[Moorf]

Hi H - good to see you!

Thanks for info - we're at the form-filling stage with parents at the moment and they've got their medicals and police records in progress!! 7th March is form submission day!!

Moorf

[Familyofmonkeys]

Seems I'm not the first, but it is good to see you back Avalon :nice1 . Enjoyed reading your posts when we were still in UK, and in the 3 months we were offline with our move both you and Diny disappeared.

[Mickstim]

Heck Helen, I can't believe your parents are that far already. When we met with them it seemed like ages away, and here we are STILL trying to sell the blinking house. Please wish them all the best from us and tell them to keep in touch and let us know their progress!!

[Moorf Junior]

Heck Helen, I can't believe your parents are that far already. When we met with them it seemed like ages away, and here we are STILL trying to sell the blinking house. Please wish them all the best from us and tell them to keep in touch and let us know their progress!!

Its turning into a little race, we've put our EOI in so we'll see who gets there first :)

[Mickstim]

Its turning into a little race, we've put our EOI in so we'll see who gets there first :)

Ok - now I'm confused! Moorf's parents live in Worthing and are applying in March so you live in the same town and have the same name, almost. Are you related?? Sorry to be so nosy but I hate not knowing stuff!!

Barb x

[Moorf Junior]

y, i'm Moorf's brother, and thats my parents too :)

I hope :)

[Mickstim]

Aha - problem solved! Thanks for that - your parents are great and I hope they manage to get everything done!

Barb x

[andy141]

Aha - problem solved! Thanks for that - your parents are great and I hope they manage to get everything done!

Barb x

Thanks for that Barb:)

We tried to pm you late last year but no joy. Sorry to hear you haven't made it to Godzone yet but at least Spring is around the corner so your chances should be increasing.

We're opening a book on who gets to NZ first, Mike and family or us!! Please submit all bets via PayPal to our bank account (will help to pay for med exams!!).

Viv & Andy (Senior Moorfs)

[Mickstim]

Thanks for that Barb:)

We tried to pm you late last year but no joy. Sorry to hear you haven't made it to Godzone yet but at least Spring is around the corner so your chances should be increasing.

We're opening a book on who gets to NZ first, Mike and family or us!! Please submit all bets via PayPal to our bank account (will help to pay for med exams!!).

Viv & Andy (Senior Moorfs)

Nice to know who you are on this forum Viv & Andy. Have you checked out your potential house sale yet and if a developer is an option? We may get a chance for another dinner before we all go................... we are still trying to decide whether we will leave the house empty come May when our PR expires or just go on holiday to validate and come back. We hope it won't be a decision we will need to make as it's a tough one!

Barb x

[Avalon]

Heck Helen, I can't believe your parents are that far already. When we met with them it seemed like ages away, and here we are STILL trying to sell the blinking house. Please wish them all the best from us and tell them to keep in touch and let us know their progress!!

Wow, never knew it was you that they had met! Small world.

They both say thank you - and are sad to hear that you are having problems getting over here.

I have to say for all of us that the last 3 years have flown by - partly because our "year" is broken into 2 lots of 6 months, with then travelling inbetween. Its a very odd way to live for all of us. Alan and I get used to having the house to ourselves, and then the family arrives, and we all have to adjust for a while. And mum and dad have to adjust to where they live - which takes a month or so, and then about 2 months before they change over - they have to get ready for the move. It will be good for all of us when they have the visas!

Caroline, Debbie, Moorf and FOM

Cheers. Im not really back im afraid - just thought this was important and I needed to let you all know. Ill let everyone know what timescales we get for the visas, and if we hit any problems.

Ist Hurdle is over - NZIS have charged our Credit card ($610 - we got a $90 becasue M&D had previously applied for an LTBV) - so they have accepted the application. This was a bit of a concern as they had Medicals done in the UK just before they came over, and they run out on the 17th Jan.

Now - we wait.

Hugs to all.

[Moorf]

I think they meant this Helen :o


This was a bit of a concern as they had Medicals done in the UK just before they came over, and they run out on the 17th Jan.

Phew - that was close! Did NZIS know this and push it through or just lucky?

[Avalon]

Freaky - Mick you have a doppleganger :laugh

Anyway - not such good news im afraid.

Mum and dad just got a letter saying that it could be up to a year before they get assigned a case officer :mad: Its taken about a month to get that letter - but we did have a few weeks of arguing over the fees, so anyone else should get that first letter quicker.

And just in case anyone else has a problem with fees:

The fee for family sponsorship is $700. However if you read the GUIDE TO FEES, it states that if you (as in the parents) have previously applied for any of the following: LTBV, Talent Visa or under the Long Term Skill Shortage list; AFTER July 2003; and paid the fee for it; you get a $90 reduction. Making the fee $610.

Only NZIS dont seem to know anything about it:roll

So if it does apply to anyone - its worth sending a covering letter with the application explaining why you are only paying $610 and not $700. And you may have to send a copy of the guide to fees with the note highlighted ;) Probably wont affect many people - but just in case.

Moorf:

When your parents application goes in - could you let us know who long they are being told it will take to get a case officer? I want to know if its just Wellington being slow or if it is everywhere.

Cheers

Hxxx

[Angela]

Avalon are your parents in nz and are they applying in nz or uk we are in nz on work permits for the last 3yrs and our daughter can sponsor us beginning of may trying to work out a timeframe of how long it will take to process thanking you Angela

[Avalon]

Angela,

My parents are in New Zealand currently and applied here - via the Wellington Branch.

Cheers

[Moorf]

Moorf:

When your parents application goes in - could you let us know who long they are being told it will take to get a case officer? I want to know if its just Wellington being slow or if it is everywhere.

Will do, Av. They're taking their application to London in person on 17th March :clap

[Debbie]

Will do, Av. They're taking their application to London in person on 17th March :clap

St Paddy's day. Bound to be good luck for them. Wishing them a speedy process. I can't think about there being a yr's delay in getting my parents here. If you don't mind me asking was there any problem with your dad's medical? I seem to remember that he is/ or was on the same cholesterol pills as my M&D.
All the best Debbie

[Moorf]

Hi Debbie

Dad's medical went really well, doctor said blood's were excellent :cheers Not sure what tabs he's on nowadays, but was defo on cholesterol pills and mum is and they're both fine.

One glitch was a calcification in Dad's lung x-ray which is quite common in *cough* older applicants, and that's been dealt with already with a letter from Dad's doc to say he's all clear. So, full steam ahead at the moment with Dad's panel doctor signing off with "no abnormalities".

So far, so good. I don't know what will happen next but we're all happy that it went smoothly. :yes

If you're concerned I'm sure my parents won't mind you dropping them a PM - via Andy141

HTH
Moorf

[Moorf]

Glitch sorted :raebanana

Xrays returned to hospital for attn of senior radiologist and all signed off as normal :raebanana ... still on track for 17 March submission.... :)

My parent's panel doc was really good - he had the xrays resubmitted to the radiologist for a clear and final decision so that when they submit their application it doesn't go down any medical paths... *fingers crossed*

Now it's all in the laps of the nzis case officers...

[sizzlingbadger]

Great news Moorf.

Does anyone know once the parents have sponsorship can they work full time ? or are they restricted to not working ?

TIA