David, if you don't mind me asking, how long did the whole process take in New Zealand for you? It's early days for me but I guess there is no harm in being one step ahead from the outset. Presumably it was the Immigration Department in Wellington you were dealing with?
Hi Paul...That little flag on your profile looks like an NZ one, so I guess you are a kiwi...
FWIW, here's my take: I've dealt with Immigration NZ in New Zealand and found them very professional and actually quite helpful. However my dealings with INZ's overseas branches have been an absolute nightmare. Depending on where your lady is, you will be dealing with the Beijing office or the HK one. Both are staffed with frontline people who are not native English speakers and who's main purpose in life seems to be to say NO, regardless. You will find a lot of the detail in my earlier posts.
First off, I would visit your lady in China. There are now 4 airlines flying to PRC, the cheapest of these being Royal Brunei @ $880 return. This is partly to satisfy Immigration later that the relationship is 'serious' but mostly to protect you. You are about to make a major investment of time, money and heartstrings, and, as the brothers here will tell you, there are many dragons about that will ensnare the unwary..
Second, either find an Immigration Adviser ( they must now be registered and cost $$) or take the time to read through the INZ operations manual, available on the INZ website. I took the later option.
Thirdly, talk to other kiwis that have been through the mill.There is a kind of collective wisdom available.
Fourthly, take the time, ahead of time to wise up on Chinese culture, dating customs and whatever else you can find.. Candle in the Wind has some good info, the brothers here can advise on other sites. The Chinese mind does not work as the Western mind - just look at the respective written scripts for proof :-)
Fifthly, check your own inventory of skills. Do you have patience, perseverance and trust?? Are you prepared to become a parent all over again, teaching the equivalent of a baby a new language, an new culture; to be a wise father figure in dealing with the myriad of uncertainties that the Chinese experience, but suppress beneath the 'inscrutable'; to be vigilant not to cause 'loss of face' in any public situation??
So to actually answer your question, it took 18 months and well over a 2 feet pile of paperwork from me visiting China, to her visiting NZ.
Since visiting NZ, we have been granted a work Visa and have an application for PR (Permanent Residency) in the pipeline, which I expect will be granted.
Its been a long haul. Was it worth it?? Absolutely!! We are very happy together
Good Luck!!
David K
PS: The above is NOT immigration advice, is not systematic or for a fee!!!
