Dear Forum Members,
I was issued a Residence Visa in January 2018 (visa start date 19 Jan 2018) and my first entry in New Zealand was on 30 June 2018 (expiry date travel 30 June 2020).
I have already completed all requirements for the "established base" option under commitment to New Zealand. Currently I am not in NZ and was planning to travel next month to submit my Permanent Residence application but now it seems that it will unfortunately not be possible due to COVID situation. As I understand, my Residence Visa will now expire on 01 July 2020 because I will be overseas with expired travel conditions.
I am now planning to submit my application from overseas and noticed the below statements in Guide INZ 1176:
You must:
• hold a resident visa, or have held one in the last three months
• hold, or have held, that resident visa for at least two years continuously, and it has been at least two years since your first day as a resident in New Zealand
Can someone please confirm if in my case, given the dates mentioned above, is 1st July 2020 the earliest date when I can submit the Permanent Residence visa application after my Residence Visa has expired?
Is there any possibility to submit my application earlier given that I have already completed all other conditions for showing commitment to New Zealand? To be noted that I have also held other residence visas in the past and if those visas are considered my first day in NZ goes as far back as Jan 2015.
My main concern is that I don't want to face a situation that I am overseas without having any valid visa for returning NZ. Please do share your advice.
Regards,
JM