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I'm surprised at that. My wife and I became permanent residents in 2007. It must have changed a lot since then as it took us under a month from application to r

I'm surprised at that. My wife and I became permanent residents in 2007. It must have changed a lot since then as it took us under a month from application to residency.

ravenstine 6y ago
That's the year that I applied and got permanent residence. It didn't feel out of reach, besides the long month of waiting. The background check was pretty epic, though. I had to prove that I was indeed in a relationship with my girlfriend, who was a New Zealand citizen. This was probably because I didn't have a job lined up or a degree or skills to offer. We turned over about a year's worth of letter's we had mailed each other, many of which were pretty intimate. Supposedly someone flipped through them. Then I had to get a chest X-ray and some other medical exams, along with a drug test, to make sure I wasn't just coming over to freeload off their medical system or sling dope. I imagine it would have been much easier if I had the skills and income that I have now. I was actually kinda shocked that I got permanent residency as easily as I did. From what I was told, I should have been pessimistic.
peterburkimsher 6y ago
Yes, it has got harder since then. I graduated in 2011, and came to NZ on a Working Holiday visa. People told me I should try to get PR, but I didn't have the years of continuous relevant work experience. I went to a few other places, then stayed in Taiwan for 4 years. At first it was going to be 2 years, but at year 1.5, NZ changed their rules to requiring 3 years. Then 2016 happened, with all the political problems in the UK and US. Everybody from English-speaking countries is trying to move here, and the waiting times have gone up dramatically. The 4th year in Taiwan is because I met my girlfriend. She also wanted to come to NZ, but she couldn't even get a Working Holiday visa (there's only 600 per year for Taiwanese). Now I'm losing hope that it'll ever be possible. I've put in so much: emotionally, financially, and in time, towards this dream. If it does fail, I will be devastated and probably never be able to settle anywhere. (I have nationality issues and can't just "go back to your country").
keithnz 6y ago
from what I understand, the backlog is huge. I'd hate to think the mess the lockdown is going to create as everyones timelines get mucked up.

I'm surprised at that. My wife and I became permanent residents in 2007. It must have changed a lot since then as it took us under a month from application to residency.

ravenstine 6y ago

That's the year that I applied and got permanent residence. It didn't feel out of reach, besides the long month of waiting. The background check was pretty epic, though. I had to prove that I was indeed in a relationship with my girlfriend, who was a New Zealand citizen. This was probably because I didn't have a job lined up or a degree or skills to offer. We turned over about a year's worth of letter's we had mailed each other, many of which were pretty intimate. Supposedly someone flipped through them. Then I had to get a chest X-ray and some other medical exams, along with a drug test, to make sure I wasn't just coming over to freeload off their medical system or sling dope. I imagine it would have been much easier if I had the skills and income that I have now. I was actually kinda shocked that I got permanent residency as easily as I did. From what I was told, I should have been pessimistic.

peterburkimsher 6y ago

Yes, it has got harder since then. I graduated in 2011, and came to NZ on a Working Holiday visa. People told me I should try to get PR, but I didn't have the years of continuous relevant work experience. I went to a few other places, then stayed in Taiwan for 4 years. At first it was going to be 2 years, but at year 1.5, NZ changed their rules to requiring 3 years. Then 2016 happened, with all the political problems in the UK and US. Everybody from English-speaking countries is trying to move here, and the waiting times have gone up dramatically. The 4th year in Taiwan is because I met my girlfriend. She also wanted to come to NZ, but she couldn't even get a Working Holiday visa (there's only 600 per year for Taiwanese). Now I'm losing hope that it'll ever be possible. I've put in so much: emotionally, financially, and in time, towards this dream. If it does fail, I will be devastated and probably never be able to settle anywhere. (I have nationality issues and can't just "go back to your country").

keithnz 6y ago

from what I understand, the backlog is huge. I'd hate to think the mess the lockdown is going to create as everyones timelines get mucked up.