Residency Application Processing Times
 

Hi,

I arrived in NZ (from the UK) mid June and entered the country on a 6 month tourist visa. Within a week of arriving I submitted my residency application under the partnership category (my wife is a NZ citizen - a returning expat). A few days later I received a letter advising me that a case officer will be assigned to my application within 5 months.

Given that my wife is a NZ expat having lived in the UK I was under the impression that our application would be prioritised as my wife has been absent from NZ for more than 2 years prior to the date of application. Is this not the case?

If it does take 5 months for a case officer to be assigned my application and with my tourist visa expiring at the end of the year - what is the best course of action for somebody in my situation? Apply for work visa? Leave NZ and return shortly after? etc.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Stuart

Re: Residency Application Processing Times
 

Hi Stuart,
Welcome to the forum. I'm on my way to NZ with a family/partner residence visa, but I applied to HZ house in London and I'm sure the whole process would have taken a lot less than 5 months if my medical tests results had been 100%.
I know that my situation wasn't exactly the same as I wasn't in NZ at the time - and as you are in NZ the rules probably say you have to apply to a NZ office. It might be worth sending an email just to ask nicely if they've put you in the correct queue and if you can apply to London if the wait there is shorter.
I don't know if your wife's 2year+ out of the country has any effect on the processing time. Though I presume she's now back in NZ, so perhaps if there is a fast track for partners of absent Kiwis you've missed it by returning to NZ:confused:

John.