Hi All,
I have a question about visa activation. I'm currently here on a work visa, and my partner on a partner of a worker. We have applied for residency (SMC) and been accepted, received the AIP, and heard from the case officer that the e-visa will be granted next week.
The complication - my partner's visa runs out on the 9th Dec (hence talking to the case officer to find out when it will be granted). I'm the principal applicant and will be out of the country next week until 12th Dec, therefore i'll be offshore when the residency is granted. My understanding is that means the SMC wont be activated until I return - but my partner will be here in the country, with a work visa that will expire and a granted residency visa that I can't activate until after her expiry.
Does this means she needs to apply for another visa, to tie her over for the 3 days in between her work visa expiring and me returning and activating the residency visa? This seems excessive - are INZ able to permit a work around in these situations? Any help greatly appreciated!
Edit: Or, is she able to activate the visa by virtue of the fact she will be in NZ, despite not being the principal applicant?