Justcol

Have just renewed mine
Completed the online form, printed out, signed and sent off the declaration with two photos. There's no need for any counter signatures now unless you appearance has drastically altered.
From sending it off to getting it back took 12 days

TommyLuck

Bumptious

That's good to know as I sent my renewal off on 29th May as I'm off on a visit to UK in a few weeks time. Funny thing is (to me) I look younger now than I did in my passport 10 years ago, then I had a fat face and looked like a bag lady haha - very subjective I know, but it was quite a hideous photo so I hope they don't think I've 'drastically altered' !!!

Then I'll need to get my returning residents visa from somewhere, can't remember where but I know the price has gone up heaps since 2008.

Justcol

You can apply for a E visa instead of the traditional "blue sticker" I got one for my new passport.
The E Visa is free and you dont need to send your passport away to get it. the blue sticker version is $190
It is just logged electronically against your new passport.


I did have a hiccup with mine at Heathrow. The girl on the Cathay desk asked to see my exit ticket to prove when I would be leaving NZ
I explained I had lived there for 10 years and had permanent residency so didnt need one.
They had to call NZ immigration to verify the visa. after that it seems to have been ok

Bumptious

JustCol I just contacted a friend who works in Immigration and she said there is still a cost of $190 - so not sure how you got yours or how you went about it? would love to know if I can avoid paying $190??? cheers (btw my passport was back in 20 days).

MrsFychan

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/already-have-a-visa/transferring-my-visa-to-a-new-passport

does say no fee "

• An application fee is not required if you are transferring an eVisa or if you previously had a physical visa label and would like an eVisa in your new passport."

Bo-Jangles

It's $190 if you want the sticker in your passport or otherwise $0 for the e-visa (no-sticker) - some airport check in staff struggle with processing with the e-visa and get a bit arsey if they can't sight your visa in your passport when checking in. As Col says it can easily be sorted but can add a bit of unnecessary stress to your homeward journey when you start getting quizzed about your onward flight from NZ. LOL My OH had some issues with his so I opted to pay for the sticker.

Justcol

Maybe your friend just makes the tea there

Kotare

Electronic version is OK once you convince the Airline desk - of course if all the computers fail you become non resident :}

Bumptious

Haha I don't know what she does as she doesn't generally share her profession with people as she says it's emotive. I've only just recently met her to be fair. She doesn't work with Visas so yes you could be right she could be chief tea maker. However she did say she works next to the person that processes visas here in Palmy.