best place to apply - any benefit in applying for a Parents Visa

[californiadream]

In March 2012 our daughter and family will have had PR for three years. Thinking ahead..(or dreaming even!) we wondered if there was any benefit in applying for a Parents Visa whilst we were in NZ. We will be going for a longish visit 2011/2012, which we have yet to book the flight for. If we arrange it so that we're there in March and had medicals etc in NZ..would there be any benefit at all.
We'd appreciate any and all advice before we book the dates for the flight. The later in the year we book the prices seem to escalate so I suppose we'll have to put that into the equation.

[JandM]

Are you talking about a Parents'/Grandparents' Visa, or being sponsored for Residence under the Family Stream?

[californiadream]

Sorry..Yes J & M..you're absolutely right..The Residence permit under the family stream is the one I mean.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the medical is considerably cheaper in NZ.

We had considered the Grandparents Visa also but from what I can see there is very little benefit for us. We're allowed 6 months anyway arent we?

[JandM]

If you're British, you get a 6 months' visitor's visa just by turning up. I believe that you can get a visitor's visa for 9 months if you apply beforehand. You're only allowed on a visitor's visa to be in NZ half the time, i.e. 6 months in, followed by 6 months out, or 9 months in then 9 months out. The advantage of the parents'/grandparents' visa for some people is that it allows you 18 months in the country out of three years, and you can space the time more as you wish - if you want to stay longer than six months at a stretch, you have to leave the country, but it need only be for a day. Some people aiming for Residence gamble on having one of these visas and hope not to have to go home again, if their timing works and Residence comes through before the 18 months is up.

[californiadream]

Yes, that's pretty much how we understood it so I'm not sure it's any use to us, not at present anyway.
We are British so we can get six months although I do realise that would prohibit us returning until a further six months have passed. It seems quite an expensive proceedure for little benefit.

Do you know if there are any advantages/disadvantages to getting medicals and applying in NZ?

[babscat]

We did exactly what you are contemplating, in Sep 2010, after doing all the research and completing almost all the paperwork beforehand. Can't remember the cost but medicals were certainly cheaper and less hassle -also for blood tests, Xrays etc.
We hand delivered the application (Palmerston North in our case) and were in and out in less than 20 mins after a check that everything necessary had been included.
I had a request for a repeat blood test within 3 days, and 3 months later on Dec 22nd my husband had a request for an ECG and a test for dementia!! Dr arranged both, immediately, and results were in the post before Christmas. We are now back in UK and not expecting any further progress with our application till around New Year though we wonder if the application will then be transferred to London.
Good Luck!

[californiadream]

Thanks for that Babscat..so how do the medical people get your medical history, do they approach your own GP? And, how strict a medical was it, I don't mean to pry but we do have some health issues and are troubled by the thought of the medical.

[JandM]

This gives a clear idea of what to expect at the medical. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rd...lExaminers.pdf You have to give your medical history yourself, and sign to say it is accurate. If at any point the doctor doing the medical indicates that a finding is beyond the normal range, then the case will be referred to a Medical Assessor by the CO. The MA is charged with deciding whether or not a person will be a burden on the NZ health service, and to do this, has the power to require tests, comments from an existing doctor, and/or a consultation and report from a specialist.

[californiadream]

Thanks J&M...mmmm, I think we'd better start a fitness regime immediately

[babscat]

My OH had a mini stroke, followed by an operation for partially blocked carrotid artery,
7 months before we were due to visit family in NZ. Fortunately he recovered well and we went on a strict health regime for weight loss, cholesterol etc. We got written reports from Dr and consultant before leaving UK and gave everything to GP in NZ. After the exaninations he was happy to complete and sign the medical forms and state that we had no issues.
First INZ query was a repeat blood test for me - first one had been affected by residual traces of a urine infection I had just before leaving UK. Repeat test was normal.
Second, later, query was to ascertain if OH had fully recovered and was capable of independent day to day living (ie.was he going to be a drain on the NZ health service!) GP did the standard test for dementia (score 30/30) and also wrote a report.
We have heard nothing further but are expecting possible follow-up queries and/ or referral to MA when we eventually get a case officer.
You can download the medical forms from the INZ website and see what they require.