Hi Everybody,
Firstly thank you for taking thew time to read this, i could really use some sound advice.
My girlfriend is Russian (from Moscow) and shes been in New Zealand on a limited visa studying English since October due to leave April 4th.
We met in Auckland and have been together since November 10th. I have never been happier, she is amazing, my friends love her, my family loves her and i plan on asking the question so we are very serious.
Now all mushiness aside here's where it gets complicated.
I have met with two different immigration lawyers, both have given different advice. I have called immigration twice and spoke to two different agents about our situation and also received different advice on both occasions.
We were told that the partnership visa is the way forward however, we don't live together and i believe this is a very important prerequisite of the partnership visa. We very much have wanted to live together but due to personal circumstance we just haven't been able to. We will however when she returns.
Visitors visa. I was also told that this could be an option. She is to apply for a visitor visa and then when she arrives she is to apply for a work visa then for a defacto status etc etc. The only issue with this is that we have had contradicting advice about her current limited visa and how it will not allow her to return as a visitor.
Ideally we would like her to be working as soon as possible so a visa that allows that would be great.
With less than two weeks to go before my girl leaves we are both getting pretty nervous, not to mention with the papers talking about placing travel sanctions on Russian due to the Crimea drama.
I should also add that i am 30, employed full time and have never sponsored anyone before nor have i been engaged or married before.
My partner is 24, a student about to graduate and she has never been engaged or married before.
Good people of ENZ Forums, please help us!
Regards,
David