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Typically takes at leat 7 years to get NZ citizenship (except for Peter Thiel) -- 2 for Permanent Residency then another 5 years for citizenship. 6 years of whi
by amatix 10y ago
Typically takes at leat 7 years to get NZ citizenship (except for Peter Thiel) -- 2 for Permanent Residency then another 5 years for citizenship. 6 years of which you have to actually live in NZ . That's a fairly long-winded "back door".
- vorg 10y agoWhen I lived in New Zealand in the 1990's, I met many Chinese immigrants who lived in NZ for 3 years then after becoming NZ citizens went straight to Australia to become Australian citizens after a further 2 years there. That's where I heard that expression.
- ptaipale 10y agoThat's still quite selective immigration. The cost and visa requirements of travelling to NZ (legally) before immigrating to Australia from there is already a factor that changes the migration pattern completely.
- vorg 10y agoAround 2002, Australia stopped New Zealanders getting automatic Australian citizenship after residency. Also then, New Zealand changed the residency time to become a citizen from 3 years to 5 years. I haven't heard about the extra 2 years mentioned by amatix. Until then, it was easier to get NZ permanent residency than Australian, and many people, especially from China, took that "back door" to Australian citizenship. During the 1990's, I met many who spent the 3 years in NZ unemployed, learning conversational English. After becoming NZ citizens they'd go to Australia and get a job within months.
- jpatokal 10y agoEspecially given that you can go from zero to Australian citizen in four years. (I did.)