Do you recognize these troublemakers? I've been told that the guy on the bottom left looks exceptionally tired (funny, I think that's how he always looks...)These are the pictures that we used for our New Zealand visa applications. What a process! Because my research program is supposed to take a full 12 months, we have applied for a 14 month stay. Unfortunately, we then realized that we are required to undergo full medical assessments. So, the first delay was getting in to see some doctors that were willing to fill out a sheaf of New Zealand immigration paperwork. After that, Sheri and I both needed bloodwork and x-rays. When the results from all of that were in, we piled it up with our own bundle of application paperwork, with documents from the University indicating my student status, with proof that we have sufficient funds, and with a notarized declaration that we are in a committed relationship. Altogether, I think we had over 200 pages to hand off!
The big day was then last Friday. We bundled the kids up and all went downtown to the New Zealand High Commission. They accepted our mountain of bureaucratic input and suggested that 3-4 weeks was an average processing time. Because we were applying for a longer stay and submitting medical paperwork, the commissioner said that it could well take longer. The local team has very limited discretion to waive any concerns that might arise and he said that our files may need to be referred upward. In that case, a 5-6 week delay is the norm (we failed to ask if that was an additional 5-6 weeks or a total). In any case, it felt good to have the paperwork out of our hands and in the pipe.
Well, they managed to review it fairly quickly and have already requested more information from our doctors. My history of kidney stones is working against me and they'd like an explanation of whatever medical condition I might have that causes them. Further, they want to know what long-term treatment may be required. Sheri, on the other hand, has a more "prominent" spleen than expected (apparently it's 13cm long rather than the nominal 12) and it was highlighted on her x-ray report; we were told that it's simply due to her height and the doctor felt it wasn't significant enough to comment on. The NZ folks are thorough, though, and they want the doctor's comments. In addition, someone on the medical staff made a minor mistake when filling out Annalise's forms and it needs to be corrected and signed off...
In any case, it's great that they're moving quickly through the review process and highlighting all of the concerns they see. Doctors are all busy, though, and it'll take us until next Tuesday (March 20) to have another round with them. Hopefully at that point, we'll have all the documentation required to move things forward.
In the meantime, we're hesitant to finalize our flights. We're planning to fly on our Aeroplan points and simply want some assurance that we won't have to change them if we hit further delays. We've also been looking at places to stay in Auckland and made an official application for a particular one but we lost out to someone else. We have learned, though, that places are seldom listed more than 3 weeks in advance as that is the legislated NZ notice period for leaving a rental. The advice from a realtor over there is to wait until April. Lots to balance in considering where to live - primarily furnished vs. unfurnished and proximity to the train station since we'll have no car.
With some concern for getting set up in Auckland, Sheri has managed to connect with a church in the city. In particular, the pastor's wife has been emailing with us. They also have young children and she is providing some great advice on where the hotspots are for groceries, diapers and other things we'll need in order to get set up. We've also landed upon the local ebay/kijiji equivalent which seems to be a great source for checking out home rentals and furniture (baby equipment especially since we're headed there with mostly our clothes and a few necessities, like Buzz, Woody and Jesse...and maybe Bullseye ;)
For our own place, we have found a renter/housesitter and have signed an agreement with her. It's really great to know that we'll have someone here and that our home will be waiting for us when we come back.
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Although we knew this would be no small undertaking, it has been even more monumental than we imagined. We're so thankful for everything that has come together so far; it will be great when the last few bits fit into place! Once we board that plane, it'll be a whole new adventure!
