Work Visa timelines

[Canny Lad]

Hi Everyone,

I have applied for a specialised job in Nelson I am hoping to get an interview. If I was offered the job, what is the likely timeline to have a visa granted under the Work Visa: Partner of NZ citizen / resident category? Or is the Family category faster? My wife is a NZ citizen and our 2 children both have NZ passports. I have a UK passport. The work visa costs 165GBP whilst the family one costs 720GBP!

Any help would be awesome. Thank you!

Canny Lad

[JandM]

Probably the work visa would be slightly quicker, but only slightly since partner residence is prioritized. I see you're looking at $$$, which is understandable, but don't forget that the work visa is for a limited time, therefore would have to be renewed, and renewed, and renewed (and paid for, and paid for, and paid for) etc., whereas Residence as a partner is forever.

[Lauralocks]

You may find the partnership visa could be almost as quick. As long as there are no problems the timescale for a decision is within 3 months for the London Office, however, as you can see from my timeline it only took 3 weeks for mine to come through last month, so it doesn't appear there is a backlog. The partnership one is a full residence and you don't need to keep applying. I found it to be quite an easy process in general.

My aunt and uncle are currently applying for work visas as he has been asked to oversee the construction of a cement factory - as a contractor I believe - however their visas have already taken longer than mine did and they still haven't got them through. There's are also being done through the London branch, but a different team.

[JandM]

Just to clarify, the visa Lauralocks has is Residence as a partner, the same as you could have.

The big advantage partners have over SMC or work visa applicants is that, apart from health and character, which are the same for everybody, they ONLY have to prove their partnership - there's no checking of qualifications and experience involved, and those can rack up waiting time if somebody (or several somebodies) doesn't answer their mail promptly.

[Canny Lad]

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for the replies. It is all very useful.

I think the family route sounds the best way forward. Out of interest, can you do the work visa to get there and the family visa later on?

Have I got this right ... UK police check only for me (my kiwi wife doesn't need one?) and a UK medical and chest x-ray only for me? My wife and kids all have NZ passports. We left NZ in mid 2009. TBH ... It is very confusing, it seemed a lot easier first time round!

Again any help would be awesome

Regards,

Canny Lad

[JandM]

UK medical and chest x-ray only for me?

That's right. The Kiwis are just Kiwis going home - you're the alien.

can you do the work visa to get there and the family visa later on?

Yes, you could.

Requirements for Residence - this page and those linked in the side bar. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...er/default.htm

[G-Mo]

Have I got this right ... UK police check only for me (my kiwi wife doesn't need one?) and a UK medical and chest x-ray only for me? My wife and kids all have NZ passports. We left NZ in mid 2009. TBH ... It is very confusing, it seemed a lot easier first time round!

Both the applicant and the sponsor (you and your wife) need to get police clearance letters.

[Lauralocks]

As G-Mo says you both need them. They are quick and relatively simple to get. You just send the completed forms with the verified passport photos to the Association of Chief Police Officers, along with a cheque. They will then send them back to you. I can't remember how long ours took but I don't think it was more than three weeks.

Obviously you have the police check as the person applying for the visa, your wife is sponsoring you and the police check is part of the checks that she is a suitable person to sponsor an application.

If you want any information about the medical let me know. Mine was in London and I found a place that does x-rays as well as the check - a lot of them refer you onto the hospital for the x-ray which means more time as you have to make an additional appointment. I think I made booked about 2 weeks in advance of the appointment, then it was just one appointment another week or two to get the results and signed forms so pretty quick.

[G-Mo]

As G-Mo says you both need them. They are quick and relatively simple to get. You just send the completed forms with the verified passport photos to the Association of Chief Police Officers, along with a cheque. They will then send them back to you. I can't remember how long ours took but I don't think it was more than three weeks.

It's one week, but you can pay double for express (48 hour) service... That's what I did.

[Canny Lad]

Hey All,

My Visa came through today! It only took 1 week. Very happy. So ... Just need to get a job and then we will be off in a flash.

Thanks to you all for the advice and support. It has helped us get over the line.

Regards,

Canny Lad