Hi everyone
I've been reading various threads on here and there's a lot of great advice!
I'm from UK and my 23 month working holiday visa is expiring at the end of this month (December).
I met a man not long ago and we've fallen for each other. By the time I leave we will have been together for just over 2 months. We want to continue our relationship.
I've looked into all the different kinds of visa's and the best option that I can see is for me to leave when my visa expires and return as a visitor so that we can live together and collect sufficient evidence of our relationship for 3 months and then apply for the partnership of a nz work visa?
There's a couple of things I'm concerned about...
Firstly, I got a minor DUI in Australia a few years ago...it was a stupid innocent mistake that I'd forgotten about but I've just been informed it's classed as a "criminal conviction". I've never declared it before as I didn't think it was a criminal conviction. I have applied for an Australian police check to see if it's on there and waiting for it to come through (clear hopefully!!!!) If it comes back with a conviction, will I still be able to re-enter new Zealand??? Will it affect my visa applications??? I'm freaking out
Secondly, if I return as a visitor to be with my partner and collect evidence, I was told by someone who went through the partner visa process to just say I " want to see more of the country" etc as immigration wouldn't allow me back in if my intentions are to ultimately stay.
I want to be honest; I'm in love, new Zealand is my home and I want to continue my life here.but will this backfire??
I'd really appreciate some advice...
Thank you in advance