PhD Student Visa Rejected

It may work. But the reason they showed means they don' t think a student coming with his family has any reason to get back to their home. So, applying with wife and children might be the main reason for your rejection.

One thing you can do is that you apply for a PR if possible, though it has become very hard. So, at first you can apply as a single person. Getting rejected once makes the next time harder.

Thanks for your reply.
I understand where they are coming from but a PhD takes a long time to complete and I think it's normal to seek unity with the family. In all cases I have been notified that my application has been processed and will know tomorrow when I receive the package.
Fingers crossed!

Whilst I understand where you are coming from with agreed to your family, I suggest that it would be better for you to initially come to NZ by yourself.

Once settled in here you then start the visa process for your family

Thanks for your reply Stumpy!
I get it now that it would have raised much less alarms if I applied alone. But honestly I can't see why that would be an issue for a PhD student with children. There is reasonable doubt and there is this .... I don't know what to call it.

I am quite attached to my children and they are too young (2.5 years and 4.5 years) I can't process long seperations even if for a few months and it'd be quite damaging to everyone.

Anyway, I did apply by myself this time around and will see how it goes.

Fingers crossed!

What's the update, bro?

They returned the passport but application itself is in que

Looks like it's gonna be a long wait. Thanks for asking mate ^_^

There could be another issue that they are looking at. The length of the program at the Uni and the chance that it could be dropped from their program list at a moments notice. Then where is your funding going to come from?
That would make you a burden to the tax payer. You can do that in your home country, why come to New Zealand with your whole family. They have nothing to do with your assignment at the Uni.
What you might want to consider is having the Uni sponsor you and your family for the duration of the program. If the Uni thinks they can make a good start with the program they will sponsor you but if they are doing test run of the course. You could be out of luck and if you are there, you will be out of work and then be needing assistance to live there. That is what they don't want in New Zealand. Most Asian countries are dumping their children on New Zealand in Unis and they are out doing P and street racing. Then they get busted and they call home and the parents complain to the NZ govt. New Zealand is getting very tired of that real quick.

Hi Royallypissed and thanks for your reply. The Anthropology program in Canterbury is one among the best in the country and has a worldwide reputation. I don't think it's going anywhere soon. But you are right about underlining reasons of rejection that were not necessairly spelled out.

Thing is; I have earned my Bachelors and Masters from an American University (they don't offer a PhD program) in Egypt so I could only reasonably pursue a PhD in a university where English is the language of instruction. And even if I can bypass the language barrier in national universities there is the issue of academic freedom which is quite lacking at said universities and, hence, the need to pursue my PhD degree outside Egypt.

I am self-funding my studies (I have accounted for the source of funds in the re-application which is a reasonably good sum to cover my tuition and expenses for myself and my family for the duration of the program). So I don't fit the profile you have mentioned and I hope that in the reapplication I'd been able to demonstrate that.

Given the long duration of the PhD (3 to 4 years) I quite naturally need to be united with my family. Now, of course, I will be going back to Egypt during the program but the bulk of work needs to be done on campus to 1)use its facilities 2) meet with my professors 3) engage in academic life which is crucial to my development as a PhD candidate. I can't just leave my boys and wife for at least 2 years (which is the minimum time required by the University to earn the degree).

What do you think?

The other option is to get the Uni to give you a contract in writing.
Then apply for a Business Visa. That will allow you to travel back and forth.
Like go to New Zealand for the duration of the course for that year and while students are on their breaks you can go back home to be with family and then return to continue teaching and your studies.
That might work for you even faster than applying for a Work Visa as they won't allow your whole family. That only works with Work to Residency or Permanent Residency.
Me, I am IT, Microsoft Specialist, Computer Graphics. I nearly have a Master in Computer Science with evaluation from state of California. I can be my own company and I am part time.

Good Luck Mate

Thanks for your good wishes. I hope it works because I have already invested a lot of time and effort in securing that PhD offer.

The only visa I am eligible to is a student visa. I am not seeking anything but finishing the doctorate. But even if I can go there for my studies for 2 out of the 3 years as required by the University I can't possibly leave my children behind. They are too young (2 and 4 years old) and long seperations would hurt me and my kids. It seems like a risk I might be taking but I hope that it never gets to that.

Thanks for the pointers. I will keep this thread updated with the outcome for those - like me - seeking information about personal experiences with acquiring the visa.

Some updates: a case officer has been assigned and it passed initial assessment and is sent to MA (I declared that I have type 2 diabetes but it's under control and all blood tests were good). Is this a good sign?
I will hear from them soon.

Happy to update you that my medical has passed and the application is now at the final phase which has been prioritized and should be finalized soon. Fingers crossed! Can't wait to start my research!

I am very happy to update you that my visa has been accepted.

Timeline for those who need it

December 8 2016: First Application Lodged (missing tons of documents - refer to original post)

December 29 2016: Visa rejected

January 31 2017: Second Application Lodged

February 22 2017: Urgency Request

March 12 2017: Initial Assessment Through and Medical Assessment Required

March 22 2017: Medical Assessment Cleared

March 29 2017: Visa approved

Congratulations !

Wow congrats! Happy for you and your family!

Hi, congrats on your visa, i would like to ask you, how do you know the status changes, does recieve of the medical exam mean it has passed initial assessment? And does the status of medical change from recieved to something else?
Thank you in advance

Hello guys,

I have some concerns and I would appreciate if anyone can help me with the answers.
I had previously pursued a post graduate diploma in computer and information science in new Zealand, after that I applied for post study work search visa but did not utilize it and went bank to India. After coming back to India I started working and now I am applying for a Master's course in new Zealand again. I have got admission in a college this time and previously I studies at a university. I have applied for my Visa and I am waiting for a response.
Can someone please tell me if applying for for a student visa again would be a problem in getting a visa ?
Is it questionable i am willing to got to NZ for studying again ? Will my Visa be approved ?

K_n55 wrote:

Hello guys,

I have some concerns and I would appreciate if anyone can help me with the answers.
I had previously pursued a post graduate diploma in computer and information science in new Zealand, after that I applied for post study work search visa but did not utilize it and went bank to India. After coming back to India I started working and now I am applying for a Master's course in new Zealand again. I have got admission in a college this time and previously I studies at a university. I have applied for my Visa and I am waiting for a response.
Can someone please tell me if applying for for a student visa again would be a problem in getting a visa ?
Is it questionable i am willing to got to NZ for studying again ? Will my Visa be approved ?

It won't be an issue as what I see. However, the case officer might ask you about the reasons of not utilizing your earlier issued visa. The major things to present are the financial status, personal circumstances, study research criteria and recommendations. Rest is all good.

Thank you schaz. I did take up that visa just to be on a safer side. But I ended up working in India. Also my paper work is all according to the list. I have also submitted my SOP and mentioned that I am pursuing Master's so that when I come back to India I will look for better job opportunities based on my qualification. I have taken education loan and all the evidence of funding has been provided. I have also attached my experience letter. I hope all this would be enough?

Also is there any chance that since the visa is applied online, they might process my Visa faster?

K_n55 wrote:

Thank you schaz. I did take up that visa just to be on a safer side. But I ended up working in India. Also my paper work is all according to the list. I have also submitted my SOP and mentioned that I am pursuing Master's so that when I come back to India I will look for better job opportunities based on my qualification. I have taken education loan and all the evidence of funding has been provided. I have also attached my experience letter. I hope all this would be enough?

Also is there any chance that since the visa is applied online, they might process my Visa faster?

Based on my little knowledge, I could see that the visa issuance these days is taking more than the usual time even if all the documents are submitted. This is basically due to the increased number of residence applications. But the good thing about this country is, that they grant the visas which have been applied with a complete and covered details. Best of luck.

Hey schaz.. I am sorry but what exactly is complete and covered details mean ? Could you please elaborate?

Also I thought that applications are taken care of based on their category like mine is a student visa and September intake is not available with many colleges. So there again student applications filed for September intake would be really less. Does that help in the faster processing?

K_n55 wrote:

Hey schaz.. I am sorry but what exactly is complete and covered details mean ? Could you please elaborate?

Also I thought that applications are taken care of based on their category like mine is a student visa and September intake is not available with many colleges. So there again student applications filed for September intake would be really less. Does that help in the faster processing?

Complete and covered details mean an application that includes all the required information with sufficient evidences and supporting documents. The more evidences, the better the application would be.
And NO, the application process doesn't depend on the student intake (be it less or more). It's all dependent on the selection policy and criteria of the case officer.

In that case all my documents are up to the mark. I have provided all the evidence of funding and all the required documents. I really hope that it should get processed faster.

But thank you for the all the information that you provided.

Fingers crossed !!

K_n55 wrote:

In that case all my documents are up to the mark. I have provided all the evidence of funding and all the required documents. I really hope that it should get processed faster.

But thank you for the all the information that you provided.

Fingers crossed !!

Best of luck !!

What happens when they are not able to process my application in time ? Will they inform me ?

K_n55 wrote:

What happens when they are not able to process my application in time ? Will they inform me ?

There is no time frame (even if mentioned on the immigration portal). Generally, a case officer is liable to reply each query within 2-3 working weeks. If you don't receive a reply for long time, you may call the  INZ helpline and inquire about it, however, they too don't guarantee a time frame of processing any visa which may takes few to several months.

Hey I was wondering what this means:

■ Your application has been processed by the Immigration New Zealand in Mumbai and passport sent to NZVAC on 04/Sep/2017.


■  Your application/decision was sent to your nominated address on 04/Sep/2017 by Blue Dart Courier under Airway Bill Number xxxx

Any idea what this is ?

K_n55 wrote:

Hey I was wondering what this means:

■ Your application has been processed by the Immigration New Zealand in Mumbai and passport sent to NZVAC on 04/Sep/2017.


■  Your application/decision was sent to your nominated address on 04/Sep/2017 by Blue Dart Courier under Airway Bill Number xxxx

Any idea what this is ?

There are two conditions, i.e.,
1- Your visa is approved OR
2- Your visa is rejected.

Nobody outside the INZ authority can give you a reply. You can either send a direct email to your case officer for asking the decision OR you can call the immigration NZ call center and inform them your application number and ask the decision on your visa. Other than that, noone can give you a better response.

Okay. Thank you for the response

K_n55 wrote:

Okay. Thank you for the response

Most welcome and best o luck!

Hello everyone,

I wanted to update my status here. The reason why it took so long to get the visa is because​, I wasn't assigned a case officer for a very long time.

My application was submitted on 25th August and was registered at INZ Mumbai on 31st August.

I received an email from the immigration regarding the AIP on 10th October'17 and by 25th Oct'17 I got my full visa.

The entire procedure from the time I applied to the time I got the visa .. took around 40 working days.

Hi Wesok,

I recently applied for my visa, did they request your passport in both instances?(i mean first and the 2nd time).

Thanks,

TJ

Yes i applied online and they asked me to submit my passport at  NZ Visa Application Centre (VAC) for verification. They copied the passport and gave it back to me

Hi. I just wanted to know if you managed to bring your family to New Zealand after you went in

Hi,
I needed some information that how did you get to know that a case officer has been assigned. Also how to apply for urgency... My intake is in Nov but have not yet received any updates

Hi,
I needed some information that how did you get to know that a case officer has been assigned. Also how to apply for urgency... My intake is in Nov but have not yet received any updates