Do you plan to live in New Zealand permanently? There are a range of visas that will give you the opportunity to migrate to and live in New Zealand indefinitely. Some of the most common residence pathways include:
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Suitable for people with specific skills or qualifications that are in demand in New Zealand, and who have a job or job offer from an accredited employer. This visa allows holders to live, work and study in New Zealand.
Partner of a New Zealand Resident Visa
Suitable for people who are already living with their partner, who is a citizen or resident of New Zealand. If successful, holders will be entitled to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
Suitable for people whose adult child is a resident or citizen of New Zealand, and who can sponsor their application. Your child must have a minimum income level in order to act as sponsor for this visa. Successful applicants will be granted the right to live in New Zealand indefinitely.
Individuals who have the means to invest a minimum of NZD $15,000,000 within six months of their arrival may be able to enter New Zealand on this visa to live, work and study. They will be eligible to apply for permanent residence after four years providing that their invested funds remain in the country.
This visa is suitable for individuals who are self-employed or operating a self-employed business, and have been doing so in New Zealand for a minimum of six months.
Suitable for people with a job or offer of a job that is on Tier 1 of New Zealand’s Green List. Holders of this visa become eligible to apply for permanent residence after just two years.
If you have a minimum of two years’ work history in New Zealand in a Tier 2 Green List role and intend to remain working in the country, you may be eligible to apply for this resident visa. Holding a Work to Residence Visa for two years is sufficient to meet the visa status requirement of Permanent Resident Visa applications.
Once you have held a resident visa for at least two years, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which gives holders permission to live, work and study in New Zealand on a permanent basis without the travel or other restrictions that can be attached to other resident visas.
