Aus PR = NZ Residence Permit?
 

Hi,
My hubby and I have a permanent residency visa for Australia and we are now looking at the possibility of NZ instead. I have just had a look at the NZ Immigration site and it appears that as an Australian PR visa holder we can just enter NZ and be granted a residence visa for NZ and we can then live and work there without restrictions, only applying for a residents return visa if we wish to move in and out of the country. Can anyone tell me if i have got this right or not?
Regards,
KJJ

Re: Aus PR = NZ Residence Permit?
 

Yes, well almost..unless the situation has recently changed and im not aware that it has. Technically you are granted a NZ Residency PERMIT, not a NZ Residency VISA. Entering NZ with a valid aussie residents visa entitles you to get a NZ permanent residents permit. Be aware however of the following potential pitfalls

1)As your not in Aus, your Aus PR visa will expire (check when it is going to expire, eg 5 years from the date you first validate it) and you wont be able to renew it
2) if your still in NZ then your fine, as your there on a Residence permit
3) if you need/ decide to leave NZ after your aussie visa has expired, even for a holiday, you need a valid visa to get back in. Unless you qualify for a NZ RRV based on your time spent in NZ (1 year for a 12 month RRV and two years for a Indefinate RRV i think) you will have a problem getting back into NZ
4) Once your Aussie PR expires you cant do the reciprocal thing, ie you cant go to work and live in Australia until you obtain NZ Citizenship which is five years from date of gaining NZ residency status, or apply from scratch for Aussie PR again

Re: Aus PR = NZ Residence Permit?
 

Thank you for the information, and the words of caution. This increases our options.
KJJ