louise033

Hi all,
I didn't have much luck posting this in the immigration forum so will try my luck here!
Does anyone know how you retain your NZ residency? Do you have to stay in NZ for a certain number of days/years to remain a resident or can you come & go as you please once you have your visa?
Louise x

Squidge

Hi ya

As far as I am aware you have your resident's visa in your passport for life BUT you also have a "Returning Residents Visa" which lasts 2 years, so you can come and go for those two years. When it is up you have to apply for a renewal if you are looking to leave NZ and return. I had to take in my IRD card with my passport and they did ask a few questions although nothing serious. Hope this helps

louise033

Thank you, that really helps a lot,
Louise x

jueinnz

Have you been a resident for two years?
In those first two years you must spend a certain amount of time in the country (think it is 10 months a year) once you have done this you then apply for your returning residents visa which allows you to come and go as you please.

louise033

No, we are currently resident in Canada and have sent in our NZ skilled worker application. We still want/need to spend time each year in Canada and wondered how we would do this (or if it was even possible) whilst retaining residency in both countries

Winnie

Here's a link for the info you need:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...al/default.htm

louise033

Thanks Winnie - I searched that site but am obviously blind!

brussels_sprout

If you have "PR", permanent residence, when you arrive in NZ you will get "Holder may remain indefinitely" stamped in your passport. IT MEANS WHAT IT SAYS ! You only have to use the RRV Returning Visa , IF you leave the country and want to return ! The first RRV lasts 2 years, each time you re-enter NZ you will get a new Residence Permit stamp in your passport. After 2 years you can apply for a permanent RRV depending on your situation, job, house, time spent in NZ (calculated from the PR passport stamps). If you have no job, no house and have spent most of the first 2 years outside NZ, you will not get a permanent RRV awarded.

BUT the most important thing is if you get the initial PR stamp in your passport on arrival in NZ, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN NZ INDEFINITELY !!!!! RRVs are ONLY for people intending to leave and return to NZ

jueinnz

You would have to be pretty crazy though to think that you will never leave the country again! Never go on holiday overseas???
So you do need to get the returning residence visa stamp after two years.