Snap Shot

I have a family category visa i.e. legally married wife of kiwi. I asked prior to signing the visa form what would happen if we split up, became estranged, got separated, got divorced or he died. The answer, apparently, is nothing. Well, that's what my husband says. I don't know what immigration's views would be in the event of any of the above. Better stay together for the five years it takes to get PR, i.e. my NZ passport !

JAJ

Your last comment makes no sense ... it takes 5 years to get citizenship, not PR.

If you have permanent resident status you keep it ... is that what you have or not? (Perhaps go back to Square One and repeat your analysis).

BEVS

Hi Ray and Debbie.

It sounds like you already have PR through a proven , stable relationship with your Kiwi husband. As JAJ has stated. Now you have PR it will be 5 years until you can apply for citizenship.

In Matewx & ex-partner's case it is different. He is on a temporary work visa and his partner of that time was granted an open temporary work visa on the back of that. The did have to prove their relationship to each other as we all have to do, but the visa will expire, unlike that of PR.

Matewx

I say BEVS knows her stuff

Snap Shot

I will not be unsettled by that remark. I have a returning resident's visa. I will be granted a residence permit on arrival. I don't see the phrase, 'permanent resident' anywhere on my visa at present.

BEVS

Hi Guys.

We need someone who has gone this route to clarify this for everyone. Dewb & MnB - where are you ?

As far as I am aware there should be 2 blue stickers in your UK passport.

One will be the RRV visa which allows you to enter and leave NZ.
The other would be your PR which gives your NZ status as being a Permanent Resident.

127luton

That is correct - by the state of my blue stickers!!!
Berni
x

Woodlea

If a 'genuine' couple split up and they had PR based on one's job the other would be allowed to stay.

HTH

Dewb09

Spot on Bev

I have two blue stickers one is Residents visa, the other Returning Residents visa

Dewb

MnB

Same here, RRV (current for 2 yrs) & Residence visa -- doesn't say Permanent, think this applies when RRV conditions met....as well as IRRV.
B x

Snap Shot

When did you get your other blue sticker, the Residents visa ? I've only got one sticker in my passport presently, my RRV. It says, 'The holder may travel to NZ and on application shall be granted a residence permit'. What does on application mean ? Is it done at the airport or do we apply to an office later on ?

Persephone

That's strange, when I applied for PR I got 2 blue stickers, the 2yr RRV and the residence visa; that's what you should receive. Sounds like you need to contact NZIS to check on this.
The residence permit is granted as soon as you enter NZ and is stamped into your passport on arrival- no charge! It expires as soon as you leave NZ which is where the RRV comes in, allowing you to re enter NZ as a resident and be granted another residence permit. The actual 'residence visa' can only be used to enter NZ once.

simonsi

Have you changed passports since being granted PR? If so the PR visa will be in your old one but as expired won't have been transferred maybe??

ragdolls2

Hi - as the other have said when you get granted your permanent residency visa you have two blue stickers. 1) residence visa 2) returning residents visa. On arrival in NZ immigration stamp your passport with -
"Residence Permit holder may remain indefinately" Best Wishes

BEVS

I think the question more would be when did you get your RRV and how ?

An RRV is a Returning Residents Visa. It means that a person granted NZ residence may leave and re-enter NZ.

The two blue stickers are given at the same time as each other.