AIP - Doubts on Primary and Secondary Applicants

[Ankur]

Hi,

We are AIP (Myself and my family). I am the Main Applicant. Please help with the folllowing:
1. Is it mandatory for the Secondary Applicants to make an entry in NZ within an year of Visa Stamping or its mandatory only for Main Applicant?
2. To get PR it is mandatory to be in NZ for 184 + 184 days in 2 years (184 days in each year). Is this rule applicable for the Secondary Applicants as well? OR Secondary Applicants will get PR if Pincipal Applicant fulfills the condition. Please help.

Thanks & Regards,
Ankur Mahajan

[JandM]

1. The secondary applicants absolutely MUST also enter NZ by the date given on the visa, to activate that visa, or it will lapse. They could then take the next flight out again, or stay only for a brief visit then leave, if it isn't convenient to settle in NZ yet at that time.

2. Two points to this answer.
a) Here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...quirements.htm is the summary of requirements for gaining permanent residence. You, the main applicant, must meet all of the top paragraph, but you only need meet ONE of the paragraphs headed Commitment to New Zealand criteria. The first one, about time in NZ, the one you had quoted, is the one probably most people use, but it's not mandatory (as in, not the only possibility).
b) Once the secondary applicants have activated their visas, IN GENERAL they don't have to meet any conditions - they will get Residence as long as the main applicant does. However, notice that some things can change that, e.g. the breakup of a partnership and/or dependent children becoming adult and their educational and financial status. See here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/45650.htm RV1.20 b, RV1.20.1, and RV1.20.5.

[Ankur]

Thanks JandM.

1. The secondary applicants absolutely MUST also enter NZ by the date given on the visa, to activate that visa, or it will lapse. They could then take the next flight out again, or stay only for a brief visit then leave, if it isn't convenient to settle in NZ yet at that time.

2. Two points to this answer.
a) Here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...quirements.htm is the summary of requirements for gaining permanent residence. You, the main applicant, must meet all of the top paragraph, but you only need meet ONE of the paragraphs headed Commitment to New Zealand criteria. The first one, about time in NZ, the one you had quoted, is the one probably most people use, but it's not mandatory (as in, not the only possibility).
b) Once the secondary applicants have activated their visas, IN GENERAL they don't have to meet any conditions - they will get Residence as long as the main applicant does. However, notice that some things can change that, e.g. the breakup of a partnership and/or dependent children becoming adult and their educational and financial status. See here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/45650.htm RV1.20 b, RV1.20.1, and RV1.20.5.

[angelajunbo]

great!

[JapZ]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. Your expert advice will be appreciated.

I am the primary applicant and I(along with my wife and children) got NZ PR stamped on my passport. We are planning to fly to NZ in July 2015. However, due to my Job constrain, i have to visit back to USA to wrap things(which may take couple of months)
So, I want to understand what will happen after 2 years, if I am not able to stay in NZ for more than 184 days in any of the year(specially first year). Will my PR be lapsed? And how can i qualify for indefinite PR.

[Karen Phillips]

If you don't qualify under any of the criteria (see http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/30505.htm), you can either stay in NZ from the 2 year anniversary of first entering NZ as a resident until you do meet the criteria or you can apply for an extension to your travel conditions to allow you to travel and still meet the criteria a little later (see http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/30495.htm).