Hi all,
I'd like to know if anyone has any info on timeframes for residency applications to be processed for work to residence visas, specifically the South Island Contribution visa.
I am currently on this visa and it expires soon. The visa lasts 2.5 years, and you can apply for residency under the category after 2 years. Trouble is, that only leaves 0.5 years for the residency to be granted which in the current climate is not likely to happen. INZ do offer a second visa if you have made an application for residency under the category, which is valid until the residency decision has been made. This means those on the visa can continue to work in the meantime.
My circumstances are a bit different. I was granted the first visa under an exception to instructions. This means that if I apply again for a second visa, presumably I'd be assessed against the same instructions for the first visa, which was a terribly long and difficult process for me until the exception to instructions was granted.
If I apply for a second South Island Contribution visa, is it likely that a second one will be granted (the common sense option) or would I face the same difficulties I did with the first one?
Anyone know of anyone else who has been granted residency under this scheme? Or any other relevant info?
Cheers.
Edit - I see the processing time for the second visa is 6 months. This is not ideal.