NZ: Residence — don't put it off until it's too late
Deferring a residence application can be costly. Health conditions, family circumstances and rising fees all change over time — and residence is often the most cost-effective pathway from the start.
One of the most frequently asked questions our migration adviser receives is “what is the best visa pathway for me?” This question is never simple – so many factors come into play. Firstly, it will depend on whether this is just a short-term adventure or whether you foresee a permanent move. Thereafter, age, whether you are travelling solo or with family, how many family members you are bringing with you, the educational needs of your children, your criminal record and health conditions, all impact this advice.
It is important to know that immigration instructions change regularly. Politics, labour demands and governmental budget constraints all impact current immigration instructions and they change regularly. Visa application fees never go down – and they only ever go up.
At Global Health Source our advice for all applicants contemplating a permanent move is to make sure you are as physically well as you can be, and apply for residence as soon as you are able.
Immigration New Zealand publishes a list of health conditions which are deemed to impose significant cost to, or place demands on, New Zealand's health or educational services. These conditions prevent the granting of residence.
We regularly encounter applicants who, for a multitude of reasons, defer residence for several years. During that time, their health has declined or their children have been diagnosed with behavioural or educational issues, that now prevent the granting of residence. Had they applied as soon as they were able, these conditions would not have been a factor in Immigration's decision on the granting of residence. Residence is not retracted if you are subsequently diagnosed with one of these conditions. It is heartbreaking for these families, who have settled and established themselves in New Zealand, who felt that residence was merely a formality as they knew they were eligible to apply.
The two most commonly cited reasons for not immediately applying for residence are:
- cost; and
- a desire to see if we like it first.
A temporary visa (an Accredited Employer Work Visa) is NZD$1,540 for a single person, whilst temporary visas for a family of four would cost NZD$4,670 and a family of five $5,420. There are additional costs for medicals and police checks.
Residence presently is NZD$6,450. The cost is the same for a single person or a family (as you are all included in the one application). Residence allows you to access Kiwi Saver (the pension scheme) and the public health system, purchase property and to attend school/university at domestic student rates.
Given the price differential for families, and the additional perks of being a resident, residence is clearly the most cost-effective pathway.
We appreciate that it is a big financial outlay, if you have never been to a country and do not know whether you will like it and want to stay. The reality is, if you do not like it, you do not have to stay. New Zealand is a country that allows dual citizenship. If you make a 2-year commitment, get your permanent residence, you can then leave New Zealand and have the flexibility to return (or not) indefinitely. Having the option is priceless. Having residence refused because you delayed is devastating.