Can anyone recommend an immigration agent?

escapedtonz · #9 (**permalink**) 9th April 2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennybarn

That's brilliant Chris! sounds like you managed it with out any hassle?? and thanks for the approx charges we had already spent £4k on the Australian application fingers crossed this is the last time I will be parting with our money as this is the last time we are going to try if it doesn't happen this time I will come to the conclusion it just wasn't meant to be??? Is there any reason why you aren't purchasing a property out there? as we had planned to buy a plot and build our own home we had been told that NZ homes don't seem to be very modern and central heating is rare?? how have you found their accommodation?? kind regards Fay

Our only hassle was with my wife's health issue. She has UC but only very mild and has been well controlled since diagnosis 7yrs ago. Unfortunately Immigration NZ didn't see it that way, used a 'medical expert' of theirs who deemed she would cost too much to the NZ health system, would need surgery so basically that was it we wouldn't get the visas!!!
In conjunction with our Immigration consultant though we appealed to get a second opinion which we lost then we spent the next 9 months proving the 'medical expert' was completely useless. We found out the 'medical expert' was just an NZ registered GP so didn't specialise in anything let alone the gastro field so we employed the use of an NZ medical consultant expert in the field to write a report on my wife's condition and prognosis and hey presto just like that the visas were granted. No apology though for wasting our time or money for that 9 months!!!

We aren't buying a property yet as we don't know where we want to settle. We've also been advised not to buy for at least 2 years to make sure the place is what we want and the job etc so that's the reason why we are renting for 2 yrs. Wasted money we know but it's budgeted for.
I have the chance to base myself in either Wellington or Hamilton when Im fully trained so who knows where we'll decide.
In Hamilton this week as I'm training up here & it is also a beautiful place. Been up to Rotarua/Lake Taupo yesterday and Mount Maunganui today. Just stunning is all I can say!!!
We also still have a house back in the UK that we are renting out. Want to sell but the market is that rubbish & we don't want to lose any of the money we invested in it so we will look at our options again in 2yrs.

Forget the myth about NZ homes. This is the other side of the world, not the third world ha ha!!! Yes there are a lot of old homes and they look beaten as are very old fashioned inside and out but you also find lots of these in the UK. If its not your cup of tea just steer clear.
The house we are in now is old and traditional. Has an ancient bathroom and kitchen from the 60's but it all works and there's plenty hot water. No it doesn't have double glazing or central heating but we don't really need all that yet as the weather has been fine and the house was right at the top of our budget. If you want more for your money you have to go further out of the city. The odd night has been chilly but we just turn on the electric blanket or the electric heater. Our new rental house that we are moving into in May is a new build and has all the mod cons so we won't have any issues then.
If you stick to the older areas your going to come across the majority of houses that are in need of refurbishment and have the leaky roofs as all they are made out of is timber with a metal corrugated roof. I'd say steer clear of the areas where the local electricity poles are in the street. Go for the newer places with more modern housing and you'll be fine.

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