Hello. I have been reading this forum for a while as we are moving to New Zealand early next year. My wife's entire research group is moving and I am fortunate to have a portable job. We also have a 3 y/o son.
My question is whether to apply for residency as a Skilled Migrant (I believe we would qualify) for $3100 (including EOI fee, Resident application fee and Migrant Levy fee) or for a Work Visa (free!).
We are coming to New Zealand for 2.5 years for sure; but after that her contract will expire and we will see. We visited NZ in 1999 for 3 weeks and loved it, but I am not sure we can leave our family and work behind in the USA permanently.
One tempting idea is to apply for residency, and after the two years obtain an IRRV allowing us to return to work/live or for our son to study there at some point in the future - if I understand the IRRV correctly?
Are there any other benefits to residency other than Kiwi pride? For instance, a work permit of 2 years+ seems to get you access to health care. Otherwise, we will probably come under the work-to-residence visa and then decide later about applying for residence if we stay.
Finally, if you get an IRRV and your passport expires, does the IRRV carry over to the new passport? Or if you have not been back in 3,5 or 8+ years do they call it null and void.
Thank you very much in advance, I appreciate your thoughts.