GEORGIAW123

Hi, i was wondering if anyone could help me with the below.

My partner (a NZ citizen) and I are planning on moving back to NZ around March/April time. I have just applied for a Partner of a NZer Work Visa (my 3rd one) and if that doesn't get accepted before march time (which is likely), I plan on applying for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa to tide me over until my work visa is granted.

I was just wondering if anyone has applied for the Work visa (or any family type) offshore lately and if they had a rough time frame for how quickly things moved. I have provided lots of evidence, as I always have done with previous applications, so hoping the process isn't delayed by them asking for more evidence (hasn't happened before.)

Hoping that it goes as smooth (and quickly) as possible so I don't have to apply for a CPVV but I have a feeling I may have to!

Thank you

Bo-Jangles

You can only apply for the Critical Purposes visa if invited to do so, so I see no harm in getting that underway with the lodgement of necessary expression of interest. I believe queues are long and we hear stories from lots of people waiting for available slots to repatriate back to NZ with limited capacity and only 4000 spaces available at quarantine facilities which are totally maxxed out.

This article written on 4th January suggests the next available space at MIQ would be 19th March and MBIE says on average 74 days waiting list. Most likely with the case in the community having come out of MIQ this week, I suspect there will be more changes afoot and calls for a longer isolation period.

GEORGIAW123

Hi Bo-Jangles,

Thanks for your reply. I think I'm going to do what you said and get the CPVV process underway so that I know I have at least 1 valid visa to travel on.

I have been keeping a close eye on the MIQ page - spots do come up earlier than 74 days but it's just a case of being lucky and being online when one comes up. Apparently the case of the the lady that tested positive after coming out of MIQ was because she had contact with someone arriving into MIQ as she was leaving. Hopefully, they don't see the need to extend the isolation times, just ensure there are stricter conditions for the turn around of people entering/leaving to ensure there is no chance of contact.

Has anyone else on here applied for the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa offshore and has a rough timeline?

Thanks

toria.c

Hi, I was going to apply for a residency visa as I wasn’t sure if I’d be allowed to enter NZ on a partner of an NZer work visa. From your post I’m assuming I was wrong? It would be much easier and should be quicker than the 13 month wait for the residency visa stated on the INZ website (we are planning to move in October).

Please could you keep me updated on how long it takes for them to process yours?

GEORGIAW123

Hi Toria.c,

So, you can definitely apply for and enter NZ on a Partner Work Visa (and it's considerably quicker to do so), and then apply for residency onshore! I applied for my PWV on 25th January, then on 31st I requested a Border Exemption for Critical Purpose (because I was nervous the PWV wouldn't be approved in time.) I got the ITA on 1st Feb so applied on 2nd and then received confirmation of my PWV on 5th Feb (so 11 days total?!?! Not sure how I got that lucky haha) and then 2 weeks later got my CPVV which is now essentially useless as I have the PWV.

I have heard of lots of people waiting a lot longer than 11 days, sometimes months, and I don't know if it's because I had a CPVV application in too but in my opinion, I would definitely get the PWV application in ASAP to be safe. If by the end of August/beginning of September it hasn't been approved, then I'd maybe apply for a CPVV as you are then allowed entry with that.

Another thing you could do is get your PWV and your Residence applications in together. You may get lucky and have your residency approved by the time you leave, and even if you don't, when you arrive in NZ, your application automatically gets put into the onshore queue.

Obviously I'm saying all of this out my most recent, personal experience with INZ! I've always had a really pleasant, stress free experience with them over the years to be honest. But there's lots of immigration specialists around that I've heard are great if this is your first visa or you're a bit unsure of what to do!

Good luck

GEORGIAW123

Sorry - have replied above! Don't think it tagged you.

toria.c

Hi Georgia,

Thanks so much for your advice. I previously applied for the PWV and got it within a couple of weeks (although the INZ website said 4 months) so it’s good to know they don’t seem to have a long waiting time. I think I should be ok to apply six months in advance just to be sure so I’ll get all my documents together and put the application in April/May time.

Then I’ll apply for residency once I get there. They should (hopefully) give me PR as we’ve been together for years, but I think it’s definitely safer to apply for PWV initially as it’s quicker.

Thanks again and I hope your move goes smoothly!

WhartonS2207

Hi,

we applied for partner residence visa January 2020. I’m a kiwi and hubby is English and we’ve been living in the UK for 20+ years. We want to make the move to NZ.

I was advised by NZ immigration last year mid 2nd lockdown here in UK, to convert to permanent NZ residence and whilst some of the delays have been our doing (various certificates needed re-order), it’s been a fairly straight forward process.

the key factor is that we have been 5+ years out of NZ so could easily switch to permanent residence visa (NZ immigration converted and simply advised additional paperwork needed). They were clear in comms and helped us throughout. We have just received back hubby’s UK passport and are expecting visa through in 2 weeks they have said.

Best of luck!

TG9

HiSorry I'm new here. We're hoping to go to NZ from the UK as my kiwi wife​​​ has accepted a job. We've been together in the UK for well over a decade. I've applied for a partner of a NZ resident expat visa in April. I've also applied for a CPVV as my wife's job starts in September, subject to getting a place in quarantine hotel etc. In theory I would hope to have my residency sorted well before my CPVV would expire in early 2022.

It seems that a partner work visa is a quick option to get a visa? Is this a better idea than a residency visa? Does anyone know how long the CPVVs are taking?
Thanks