Wooly_Cow

Last Monday (22nd Dec.) we got our Permanent Residencies and RRV. They had in fact been granted back in September but as I was already working in Wellington on a three year work visa I had a choice of sending my passport back to London for the stickers, or waiting till Christmas to get them put in when I came back to visit the family.

I have to say that the whole process was pretty straightforward, and that NZIS were very helpful and supportive as well as prompt.

My tip to anyone in a similar situation to me would be to go for PR as soon as you can if you think you are going to stay because you can reuse the Police checks and more costly, the medicals that you need for a work visa (within a time limit – 3 months for the medicals and 6 for the police check). This cuts out on many hundreds if not thousands of pounds (I have a family of 6 so the costs are higher!). The only further restriction was to get a letter from my current employer stating I had been with them for over 3 months.

OK so the PR process also costs quite a bit BUT in my case this will be offset quickly by me being able to get Kiwisaver pension contributions from my employer and the government, as well as other benefits, such as being able to be employed by other employers if necessary.

….oh and of course we are now only 5 years away from being proper Kiwi citizens!

kiwichicks

Well done it is always good to have PR.

D

Kimi-Deacon

Thats brilliant news Jan, how is it going in the UK ? Did you all have a good Christmas.
Steph.

BEVS

Christmas karma for those lovely blue stickers in your passports.

Wooly_Cow

Hi Steph and Mike....well it's flipping COLD here but I've had a great time with the family....but tell you what England is so crowded and frankly miserable at the moment I can't wait to come 'home'.