NZIS, 80 Haymarket, London

Well yesterday I handed the ITA in.

I got there at 0930hrs for them to say that the Immigration doesn't open until 1000hrs. I went for a coffee in the little arcade behind the NZ Embassy and the coffee was foul. I thought the purpose of coffee was to have layers of flavour not just be bitter.

I went back to the Embassy, climbed the stairs to the Immigration Section and took a ticket for the Residency queue. (There is also a temporary visa queue). I had one couple in front of me who took 45 minutes to be processed. I got in and the man at the desk was obviously irritated with the couple in front. I turns out the couple in front took so long as they were highly disorganised. From start to finish it took 25 minutes for me.

Coming back on the train I had to suffer the disjointed ramblings of an alcoholic as far as Crewe. This did not impress me. Also the screaming sinus headache I had, induced by the pollution in London, did not help matters

Transport around London £6.80
Old Total=£2676.63
Total Costs=£2683.43

Handing in the ITA

I have everything so I have decided to hand in my ITA personally. Just don't drop it as it will either break someones foot or the floorboards, depending on what it hits first!

I will travel down by train on Monday afternoon into evening, staying overnight in a hotel, handing the ITA on Tuesday and then travelling back. The reason for this being is the cost! £200+ for getting there and back by plane on short notice.

Using a Virgin Credit Card I got rail return to and from London from my hometown for £72:90.

I spent an hour on the phone calling hotels in London and eventually got one with a single room vacancy for Monday night at for a (mere) £70. This still comes in cheaper than flights.

I might as well include it now, the cost of the ITA submission. £685.00 Mr Credit Card is taking a hammering.

New Costs=£70+£72:90+£685=£827.90
Old Total=£1848:73
Total Costs=£2676.63

Teacher Registration-Great News

I called the NZTC on Sunday night to find that the Council had not sent the letter saying that I used to work for them. Monday morning I speak to the bloke who I had spoken to a week before and he expressed surprise that the letter hadn't been done as he had passed it onto a worker to do. I went down to the council offices and got the letter on Monday afternoon, went to my parents house and used their fax machine to send the letter to NZ. I will post it later today.

This morning I got an e-mail from the NZTC stating that I had been approved! They are faxing the certificate to my parents house tonight and posting me the original.

I now have to arrange a quick trip to London and New Zealand house.

Costs to date=£1847:73
New Costs=£1.00 (Parking)
Total Costs=£1848:73

Follow up to last post

Well I spoke to my own doctor and she, a diabetes specialist, says that the elevated sugar level in the morning can be indicative of a condition that is common in diabetics. The abnormal liver function is due to my statin medications to reduce cholesterol which are essential as diabetics run a four times greater risk of heart attack/stroke than the rest of the population. On the upside she said my last HBA1C figures were excellent and she is awaiting the new HBA1C figure with bated breath. If I get a similar figure she will be pleased. Put simply, HBA1C is a measure of your average blood sugar over the last three months. She is writing a letter to say that my sugar control is excellent and so long as I keep this up my risk of long term complications is low.

I sent an e-mail to the London Branch of the NZIS. I asked about teacher registration, whether I need the certificate or just the registration number. To be a complete PITA, they want the form and not just the number. This could delay my leaving as I am now at the mercy of the NZQA who make glacial creep seem unnecessarily hurried and rushed.

I also asked about flights. I had seen all the information saying that I had to book return flights, which frankly doesn't make sense for someone who is emigrating. They NZIS rep said that as I was going for residence I only needed to book a one way ticket. Yippee!!!! That should save a few pounds.

Invitation To Apply (ITA), Medicals and Teacher Reg number

Well exactly as described by the London Branch of the NZIS timetable, one day shy of two weeks after the selection of the EOI, the ITA arrives on my doorstep. Or rather a thick C4 envelope I have to sign for arrives.

The ITA looks suspiciously identical to the EOI you submit but wuth a different title.

Common sense has prevailed, as an English speaker, educated in Britain, I don't have to prove English language ability.

More Photos are required along with the police checks, the medical certs etc etc etc.

The ITA take 4-6 weeks to process. EEEk- That is cutting it fine.

I had to go to the doctor today as some of my liver function figures were not great and one of the other tests showed abnormal but given my medical history, they are to be expected. The doctor has to produce a letter stating a prognosis and she has told me she is going to be honest but that honesty will actually help as one of my other blood tests shows that my medical condition is under tight control.

I now have a teacher registration number. I will e-mail my immigration contact and see if that satisfies his requirements.

I will also ask him the seemingly stupid question. As someone going for residence, I am assuming I can buy one way tickets not returns as in those getting tourist visas.