I was hoping someone might know if this is possible. We have a young lady that lives with us she is just turning 17 for some unknown reason her parents dont want her in their lives she is now a part of our lives, we cant sponsor her but she has an uncle in NZ, if he sponsored her as a NZ citizen would she be able to live in Oz with us?

I think this is a very complex case and you would be best getting the advice of an agent.

Try posting in the immigration forum and see if anyone there can help.

Good luck

Thanks Wendy i was hoping that you would see the post It is worth the opinions so that I can ask the right questions. Ian

As she is under 18, it *might* be possible to add her to your application as a dependant. Would her parents allow you to adopt her?

As Wendy says, best to ask an agent first how you would be able to include her in your visa application - then take it from there.

I think it's brilliant that she is now part of your family!

Gina

I wonder if just being a legal guardian would be enough. Of course it would need to be proven that she was dependant for financal support.

I also think it's fantastic that they have taken her in, there is not a lot of people around that would do something like that.

The "legal guardian" thing might work. But parents would still need to give permission for ijo to remove her from the country. If ijo copuld adopt her, then they don't need permission from the birth parents to remove her from the country.

Re being "financially dependant", I thought that only applied to kids who are over 18. Then parents need to prove that kids are still financially dependant on parents (usually means kids have to be in full-time education).

But ijo's honorary daughter is only 16/17.

Gina

She was thrown out over a year ago mainly by her step-dad she went to live with family friends (our neighbours) they threw her out just before Xmas we took her in how could you not, she is great but mixed up needs guidance falls off the rials now and again.

Bless her. It must be really hard for her.

Some parents (I use that term loosely) really don't deserve to have kids.

Couldn't agree more!

ijo tell her from somone who has been there: life *will* get better - eventually.

Gina

Thanks for your reply Gina, we have not met her parents despite many offers to them to come and see us (the people their daughter lives with) but it may be an option to become the legal guardian, we had not thought of this it was always assumed that her parents would somehow come round and it is only today that we realised how scared she was to be without us when we go to Oz.

Another possible option is a student visa for her. Although it would depend on how much you/she could afford

I'm sure there will be a way. Just have to keep looking.

Thanks Wendy it is worth looking into, she is currently training to be a hairdresser so this may be an area thatwe can explore in more detail. It is nice to feel that we aren't mad taking her on based on reading your replies.

Ian

Hairdressers are on the MODL, so would be an excellent way in for her. I also think it's one of the cheaper courses.

And no your not mad, I think you are wonderful for being so caring.

Aw shucks ! Its my good lady she is the leader when it comes to caring.

Ian

Study pathway....!! Later can lokk at PR, especially if MODL is studied. Cheers Andrew