So this is Christmas and missing the people in places where I don't belong anymore.
Happy Christmas to everyone.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Thursday 10 December 2009
Making a living
Well, NZ has certainly provided us with a lifestyle but we're convinced that the country is not meant for those who are financially ambitious.
And for those who have kids, it's certainly a place where you feel you're supported to be a family person.
We have started receiving Working for Families Tax Credit (equivalent of child benefit) weekly. And the weekly sum is similar to what you'd receive in Japan, monthly. It depends on each family's situation, number of children, how much you earn as a household, how many hours you work, etc. Work and Income takes care of WFTC.
At the same time, Work and Income has provided us with OSCAR subsidy (afterschool care support) for our 6yo, and Childcare subsidy for our 4yo (those subsidies are usually called WINZ). I used to pay $250 per child per week to a childcare centre in Brisbane and I was really scared to start working in NZ as I had to start using childcare again, but the amount we're paying is much much smaller than what we used to pay in Brisbane.
I'm far from being a millionaire, but as many people living in NZ say 「貧乏するならニュージーランド」, I'm quite convinced. At least, you've got the lifestyle.
And for those who have kids, it's certainly a place where you feel you're supported to be a family person.
We have started receiving Working for Families Tax Credit (equivalent of child benefit) weekly. And the weekly sum is similar to what you'd receive in Japan, monthly. It depends on each family's situation, number of children, how much you earn as a household, how many hours you work, etc. Work and Income takes care of WFTC.
At the same time, Work and Income has provided us with OSCAR subsidy (afterschool care support) for our 6yo, and Childcare subsidy for our 4yo (those subsidies are usually called WINZ). I used to pay $250 per child per week to a childcare centre in Brisbane and I was really scared to start working in NZ as I had to start using childcare again, but the amount we're paying is much much smaller than what we used to pay in Brisbane.
I'm far from being a millionaire, but as many people living in NZ say 「貧乏するならニュージーランド」, I'm quite convinced. At least, you've got the lifestyle.
Sunday 6 December 2009
Immigration status
Since we've got the residence permits (= arrival to NZ with residence visas), the immigration concerns have all gone out of my head. We'd made it. We are residents. Well, our Returning Residents Visas (RRVs) are good for 2 years only, and when we finally get indefinite RRVs, we can at last relax and forget about all the mess.
Now my husband (who happens to be the main person in our immigration business somehow) has worked for more than 3 months in the job that he was offered. Technically speaking, he can quit his job now and it won't affect our immigration status.
He has sent his passport to the Immigration NZ in Christchurch to remove whatever they had to remove from our status (that we were temporary until the day my husband had completed his 3rd month at his job...I guess). And finally his passport has expired. It's not easy to renew a Russian passport - it'll take more than half a year to get a new one. Meaning now our main person in our immigration process DOESN'T have his current passport!
Scary. Fingers crossed.
Now my husband (who happens to be the main person in our immigration business somehow) has worked for more than 3 months in the job that he was offered. Technically speaking, he can quit his job now and it won't affect our immigration status.
He has sent his passport to the Immigration NZ in Christchurch to remove whatever they had to remove from our status (that we were temporary until the day my husband had completed his 3rd month at his job...I guess). And finally his passport has expired. It's not easy to renew a Russian passport - it'll take more than half a year to get a new one. Meaning now our main person in our immigration process DOESN'T have his current passport!
Scary. Fingers crossed.
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