Am I lucky or what?

Hisham · Testing The Water Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

I’ve just got my work visa today rae's dancing banana

I was advised by NZIS that we need to apply for student visas for the kids (school age) and a visitor visa for my wife! If on student visas, would they be required to pay international school fees Confused

Anyone been in the same situation Very Puzzled

Appreciative for all feed back.

Jenkins · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:40 pm Post subject:

That's great new, Hisham.
I hope you could share with us your experience. Did you apply for work in NZ or overseas? How did the process go about? How long did it take to have your visa approved?

thanks.

Lisa.C · I Like It Here Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 75

Congratulations Hisham Clapping

As far as i'm aware there will be no fee's Nice One

Would also be interested in your story Yes

Lisa

JCM · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Am I lucky or what?

Arlevien · I Like It Here Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 56

Best of Luck to ya! Nice One

charley · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Posts: 26

Hooray, a question i can answer!! I was looking at studying in NZ recently and found out that i would have to pay school fees for my kids if i was on a student visa. The university i was applying to and a school in Palmy both told me that the kids would NOT have to pay fees if i had a work permit although i would need to apply for a student visa for them. Interesting that you have been told that your wife would need a visitor visa. i got the impression from the nzis site that if i was granted a work permit my partner would be granted an open work visa enabling him to look for work. Maybe others can clarify this one? charley

SteveR · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:12 am Post subject:

at the emigration show at york a few months ago i asked the same question to a NZ imigration official and they confirmed that when i get a work visa (just greceived the formal job offer saturday Razz

) prior to submiting my EOI then my partner will get an open work visa allowing her to look for work straigt away

petersmit · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 1:20 pm Post subject:

Congratulations Hisham

We have sent in our applications in this week. We spoke to someone at the New Zealand High Commission in Canada before subitting and were told that if my wife wants to work then we must fill in a work visa application for her and a student visa for my daughter.

We visited the area where we will be staying and made an appointment to see the school principle. Were told that all we would need to pay is the standard school fees.

Regards
Peter

ruthyroo · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 39

Just warning for those with partners looking for open work permits. We were given the impression by the NZIS phone line that as my DH was on a POL occupation, that I would automatically be issued a open work permit as his wife. Yes, this is techincally the case but two issues: firstly when we went to get them on the spot in Hamilton, we were told that there is a huge backlog of open permits / partnership permits becuse they are popular but not seen as being of as high priority as other work permits (bit of a bugger when you have a job to start three days later!!) - the Hamilton office currently has applciations dating back to December 2003. So when checking the timescales for visa processing, check for both the work permits and the open /partnership ones unless your wives are happy to twiddle their thumbs for 6 months... Secondly, they are very strict on the 'genuine and stable partnership' proofs for the OPW - they are actually fairly powerful documents, allowing the holder to work as anything, anywhere in NZ (as long as its legal!). So be prepared to back up your application with dated photos, statements from family and friends, evidence of shared financial accounts etc. Bet of luck,R

ruthyroo · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 39

I thought that open work permits were only available to the partners of those with POL / shortage occupations in our case secondary teaching? Maybe the rules have changed, worth checking though.

Moorf · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:28 am Post subject:

If you are in a situation where you are left at home (hubbies or wives) waiting for a Work Visa then you might consider volunteering - I have been emailing with Canterbury Museum in Chch and was provided with a Volunteer Application which I duly completed, returned and am now meeting with a lady from the Museum on arrival in Chch!

I thought it would be something that I could do to a) keep busy b) meet others c) learn about NZs history/culture and d) get on the job ladder (they recruit from volunteers to paid jobs)

Just a thought - and it doesn't have to be museums etc - there are many areas that look for volunteers... http://www.localeye.info/pages/?catId=101