Ryan

Can anyone recommend how to solve this frustrating Immigration issue?
I would be very grateful for your thoughts.


I have a four-year Australia business visa, expiring Apr 2005. I am a
British Citizen, unmarried, 27, in good health and good character.

I lived in NZ from 1981-2000, and have a permanent residency of NZ,
and an indefinite returning residents visa. I never (foolishly in
hindsight) got NZ citizenship.

I was eligible for NZ citizenship (and by implication to work in
Australia), but you need to live in NZ for three consecutive years.
Now I have left (2000) the 3 year cycle restarts, despite my family
living there, and being resident for 19 years unbroken. Frustrating!

As it stands now, I have to leave in Apr 2005. I could return to NZ,
live there 3 years again and in principle seek NZ citizenship, to
allow me to return to Australia. Ridiculous!

Alternately, and this is the favoured course, apply for Australian
residency, although to my surprise I have been told this is very
difficult, and as I have not completed my degree, a 50/50 proposition.

My Australian employer has said they will support my Australia
residency application, although to further complicate things, I would
like to leave (transfer) to another company in Australia, during the
term of my business visa.

I was forced to relocate by employer from Melbourne to Sydney when the
closed their Melbourne operation.

Has anyone had a similar immigration experience? What would you
suggest?

Thanks