length of time to get residence permit

Sandie Perks · Testing The Water Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 4

Can anyone give us any sort of idea how long it tends to take from start to finish re gaining residence permit? I have no job offer but my profession of nursing is on the absolute skills shortage and I understand that we can apply for a work permit for work to residence but feel drawn to applying for residency straight away whilst still in the uk.

Many thanks, Sandie

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Sandie,

My advice for your particular situation is to get a work permit first as this is quicker and you will be on the OSL. This will allow you to get a job quickly and even move around a bit to explore the country before you put down roots anywhere. Moving is an expensive game even once you are in NZ. You can apply for residency at the same time if you wish, even while you have your work permit. The slaient point is you will hopefully have a job by then and therefore get an 50 extra points, you can also make a better decision about where you want to live. Also If you apply from within NZ for residency and this is granted you will pay less for your permit...it's about half the price! As a nurse you are in demand, that wont change over night so shop around for the best deal/lifestyle you want! Any idea where you are heading? Do you know the country?

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

i agree with kts, sandie.

karltsmith · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:57 am Post subject:

Sorry I digressed a bit you actually asked how long it would take. To wait in the pool for selection 1-3 months, if selected it can take 2 months to get all your paperwork together including police reports etc so get moving on this immediately but do not have your medicals done until asked to do so because they are only valid for 3 months! Get the house valued and move any investments in notice accounts into instant access type accounts so you can get moving quickly if needs be. Talk to FX money brokers and get registered with one of them to get your currency at more favourable rates than a bank. Talk to removal companies for quotes. All this takes time but it's all useful stuff to keep you occupied while you wait on NZIS to select your EOI. Try your utmost to find a job before you submit your EOI! Some agencies specialise in medical recruitment so see whats out there and if you do get a job offer you increase your chances of selection dramatically with the extra 50 points this brings. Don't forget those applying for resisency are also up against people who are already in NZ and in Jobs on work permits and once the places are filled thats it! Add it all up and you are looking at 3 months (at least) via a work permit route and at least 4-6 months by PR route. Finally sell house & car, sell or get rid of rubbish, change money, buy plane ticket, leave a note cancelling the milk and the papers.....Oh! and tell your family where you've gone! And don't foget to tell your pesions fund people where you've gone and that includes the government! A reciprocal agreement exists between most commonwealth countries regarding paying state pensions at retirement so you can draw it in NZ! You can also get a valuation on your state pension for planning purposes! All pretty straight forward really.................NOT!

Sandie Perks · Testing The Water Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 4

Thanks for the very full reply! I'v e just got back from a skiing holiday to Italy (one of the reasons we are looking at Christcurch - not too far away from some mountains). I had actually been looking at going for the full residency bit first rather than work permit, thinking that I would then have to wait for 2 years to apply for residency under work to residency thing. Obviously that now seems a bit silly, when we could be there quicker and a bit cheaper going work permit and applying for rp out there.

Many thanks, I'll get onto it!