Mistakes expats make in New Zealand

42358POSTS

9 years ago

Hello everyone,

Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to New Zealand? What were they?

How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them?

With hindsight, what would you do differently?

Are there any tips you could give future expats in New Zealand to help them avoid these kinds of mistakes?

We look forward to hearing from you!

Priscilla

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SueZailey04 New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

hey, so does that mean that its okay if we just go ahead and apply the visa through NZ immigration without hiring the immigration advisor?

TIA

sadoggysa New member

5POSTS

9 years ago

I would apply directly but make sure that all forms are filled in correctly.Immigration advisors take money lots of it for assisting with filling forms in and submitting forms on your behalf.

SueZailey04 New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

I see.. Thanks for the info ☺
I'd rather do the checks thoroughly before submitting than to pay thousands of dollars. gosh i didnt know it would cost that much!

Thanks anyway ☺

sadoggysa New member

5POSTS

9 years ago

Well the consultant we applied through charged us 5000 $ for visas permanent residence primary and final approval then for my new passport application from home country 600$.Then we asked how much for citizenship applications and he said 3000$.This we applied for ourselves which cost us 360$ and this was for two adults.

1 member reacted to this post

Holtropbrak Member

2POSTS

9 years ago

The believe that we would find a rental house quickly. It was very hard to find a rental house as it seems everybody is looking for a rental home. You have to compete with about 30 to 200 others...

Alrich Member

1POSTS

9 years ago

Don't assume that New Zealanders aren't racist and that they value education. How I have coped is by getting better educated and hope things change as change does happen albeit slowly.

pommieken Member

1POSTS

9 years ago

Biggest mistake by far - not buying a house earlier! Arrived in 2002 and all our new Kiwi friends told us not to buy a house as the market was about to crash!

At the time could have bought a villa in Devonport for $350-$400k, now going for probably $1.5m.

Finally bought a house 5 years after we arrived, and then the GFC hit, and then our house price dropped (but thankfully returned over the next two years)!

My advice - buy as soon as you can - don't delay!

BEENHAD56 Member

12POSTS

9 years ago

#10

We found that the NZ government would only accept visa applications through a NZ qualified immigration agent as you have to jump through a thousand hoops to get 1, we applied under the parent category as both our sons lived and worked in NZ and as we intended to make NZ our permanent home and at our age we could not take the chance to cock anything up. you also have to use a NZ government approved medical doctor for your medicals. we had to travel about 60 miles to go to our nearest 1.

schaz VIP Member

1459POSTS

9 years ago

#11

BEENHAD56 wrote:
We found that the NZ government would only accept visa applications through a NZ qualified immigration agent as you have to jump through a thousand hoops to get 1, we applied under the parent category as both our sons lived and worked in NZ and as we intended to make NZ our permanent home and at our age we could not take the chance to cock anything up. you also have to use a NZ government approved medical doctor for your medicals. we had to travel about 60 miles to go to our nearest 1.

In you case, it might be (As you're applying for a parent category. However, when it comes to skill migrant cases, typically it's not too typical that a person needs an immigration consultant. As far as you qualify and satisfy the case officer with whatever he/she wants, your case gets stronger.