Emigrating to Australia / New Zealand?

Question

Hiya,

I was born here in the UK but my mum was born in New Zealand.

I have a British passport and have just received my NZ passport also, as i can get this as i have citizenship by descent.

My brother lives in Sydney and i know with a NZ passport, you can enter and live and work in NZ . Oz without a visa...However, i have been with my girlfriend for 4 years and would like her to come with me ( she has family there)

I have looked into this and apparently if we can prove we have been in a relationship for more than 6 months and i sponsor her , she can come also.

She won't be a permanent citizen but she will have to re apply to stay every 5 years.

Does anyone know / has anyone done this and know if it's pretty straight forward?

thanks so much.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

The Australian visa that you have in mind for your girlfriend is a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 461). This will allow her to live and work without restrictions in Australia for 5 years and is renewable though it doesn't ever lead to permanent residence or citizenship and she will not be eligible for Medicare benefits though she may be covered to some extent under the UK reciprocal health agreement.

You must provide independent evidence that you have been living in a genuine and continuing de facto relationship, but the required period of living together will be 12 months rather than 6 as that is the normal requirement for establishing a de facto relationship for immigration purposes.
The cost of a 461 is AUD$230 and they usually take 3 or 4 months to be granted. The process is straightforward if you have plenty of relationship evidence.
http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/4…
http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets… (evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship)

Answer 2

I am from NZ and did this going into the UK - it isn't easy or straight forward, relatively expensive and I would suggest consulting an Immigration lawyer.

Answer 3

A visa for NZ wont allow your girlfriend to work and reside in Australia if thats where you are thinking of going.

If you are planning to settle in New Zealand (with you as sponsor) then you will be aplying for entry under the Family category. If the application is lodged in Europe it will be processed at New Zealand House in Haymarket, London.

Obviously your financial ability to sponsor will be taken into consideration as will the evidence that you have been in a relationship for six months or longer (proof is usually taken from correspondence, joint accounts, tenancy etc demonstrating residence together). It is possible your girlfriend will be required to under go medical examinations by an approved doctor and to provide a police clearance, however, the entire process is straight forward and shouldnt present any problems in itself.

Check the NZ immigration website for application form downloads and details if you are unable to visit an office to obtain forms and details in person.