[JohnandCathy]

Hi,

Wasn't quite sure of how to post a new thread, so have come into introductions........? Am I being stupid.

When myself and my partner arrive in NZ it will be on a Visitors Visa (with changable return ticket ) We plan to gain a work offer/permit when we arrive.

I have all the various paperwork up together ready for immgration i.e, birth certs, references, quals, proof of our relationship (we're not married) - Will get medicals in NZ. (if anyone has a handing checklist of paperwork?)

Does anyone know weather we will be alright carrying this information through in our baggage? Or should I post ahead for when we arrive.

I was also thinking of buying a lap top in advance, would this be useful?

Any advice would be great and I hope I've posted this in the right place....

Thanks


Cathy

[Ana&Steve]

I have heard NZ immigration can be persnickety about paperwork that indicates your intention to stay, but others have had no difficulty. It almost sounds like luck-of-the-draw, and you have to hope for an inspector who isn't having a bad day. :D
We intend on bringing CV"s and paperwork on the laptop for our job-hunting trip, and your sending ahead by mail idea sounds good, too.
Ana

[Aroha]

Pleased you asked about posting a new thread John and Cathy. Being a new member myself I haven't figured that one out either.
Who can help?
Aroha :roll

[Nelsonian]

NZIS seem mainly concerned about people coming in and working illegally - so you may get lots of questions and hassle if you bring that type of paperwork into the country and they suspect this is your plan - as opposed to having a holiday and seeing the place while you do some in-depth research on it as a place to work and live.
I've heard varied experience and would agree with the previous poster that there is no hard and fast rule - sometimes it's fine.
I seem to remember there were quite a few posts in the forum on this subject when I was making plans but haven't managed to track them down for you.
My advice would be to courier stuff ahead if you're a nervous sort - then you'll not be sweating the small stuff at customs.
For what it's worth, I decided to courier my docs ahead to friends so that they'd be available if I did get a job offer and decided to apply for residence (while it left me free to go tramping!).
I brought my laptop through as cabin luggage as I needed it to complete a prof development qualification - but they're also easy to buy here - and there are good internet cafes everywhere with reasonable (and safe) access.
Jane

[willowshouse]

Maybe it would help to ask has anybody had their luggage subjected to close examination re: paperwork? I could only see this being a problem if you couldn't satisfy the immigration service when being asked questions about why you are entering the country.

We arrived on visitor's visas whilst our PR was being processed and we had all that stuff with us in our luggage. When they asked why we were coming to NZ we said to visit for 6 months or so. They asked us about schools for the kids .. we said we'd enrol them in school as international students .. they asked how we were able to take them out of school in the UK, didn't the schools mind? Basically you have an answer for everything and you stick as closely as possible to the 100% truth without mentioning looking for work or possibly intending to stay. I mean, if you didn't find work you would go home wouldn't you? They also asked us had we considered settling in NZ .. we said yes we had but we weren't quite at that stage yet (true enough!).

It's fine to come into NZ on a reccy, which is what you are doing .. just play down the looking for work thing, it's an extended trip in order that you can see whether you like it here. If you do like it, get a job offer and submit your paperwork for PR - all well and good... but you don't have to disclose that at immigration, if you do you are asking for trouble.

I remember watching an airport programme on the TV and it showed a nice young guy from SA arriving at Heathrow with not a lot of money and a telephone number of a vague friend. He said he was going to stay in the UK for about 6 months and had no intention of working .. but he couldn't say how he would support himself when his money ran out. They didn't even let him in the country .. he was put on the first flight back to SA because they thought he was a bad risk (of overstaying and working illegally). It's just common sense - if you give them no reason to doubt what you are saying, which is the truth (alebit a little selective), you will be fine.

Dawn