New Zealand Residence Visas
To live in New Zealand permanently, you need a resident visa. A resident visa allows you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, access most publicly funded services, and eventually apply for New Zealand citizenship. At Sunrise Immigration Services, we can help you navigate the various pathways to residence.
Benefits of New Zealand Residence
- Live in New Zealand indefinitely
- Work for any employer without restrictions
- Own a business in New Zealand
- Study at any educational institution
- Access most publicly funded healthcare services
- Access education as a domestic student
- Buy property without Overseas Investment Office approval
- Travel in and out of New Zealand without a returning resident visa
- Sponsor family members for residence
- Pathway to permanent residence and citizenship
Skilled Residence Pathways
There are several skills-based pathways that allow you to obtain New Zealand residence if you meet the eligibility criteria. Some pathways allow you to apply for residence immediately, while others require you to work in New Zealand for a period before applying.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
This points-based system is for people with skills, qualifications, and experience that can contribute to New Zealand's economic growth.
Key requirements:
- You must have a job or job offer in skilled employment in New Zealand
- Your job must pay at least the median wage
- You need 6 points to apply, which can be made up from:
- 3 to 6 points based on New Zealand occupational registration, qualifications, or income
- 1 point for each year of work experience in New Zealand in a skilled job (up to 3 points)
- You must meet health, character, and English language requirements
- You must be 55 years or younger
The application process involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). If selected, you'll be invited to apply for residence.
Green List Straight to Residence Visa
This visa is for people with skills in occupations on Tier 1 of the Green List, which includes roles where New Zealand has a sustained and ongoing shortage of highly skilled workers.
Key requirements:
- You must work for an accredited employer or have a job offer from an accredited employer
- Your role must be on Tier 1 of the Green List
- You must meet the qualifications, experience, and/or occupational registration requirements for your role
- You must meet health, character, and English language requirements
You can apply for this visa from within New Zealand or from overseas.
Green List Work to Residence Visa
This visa is for people with skills in occupations on Tier 2 of the Green List who have been working in New Zealand for at least 24 months.
Key requirements:
- You must work for an accredited employer
- You must have worked in a Tier 2 Green List role for at least 24 months
- You must be paid at least the median wage when you apply
- You must meet the qualifications, experience, and/or occupational registration requirements for your role
- You must meet health, character, and English language requirements
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
This visa is for people who have been working in specified care workforce roles in New Zealand for at least 24 months.
Key requirements:
- You must work for an accredited employer
- You must have worked in a specified care workforce role for at least 24 months
- You must be paid at least the median wage when you apply
- You must meet health, character, and English language requirements
Transport Work to Residence Visa
This visa is for people who have been working in specified transport sector roles in New Zealand for at least 24 months.
Key requirements:
- You must work for an accredited employer
- You must have worked in a specified transport sector role for at least 24 months
- You must be paid at least the median wage when you apply
- You must meet health, character, and English language requirements
Family Residence Categories
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
This visa is for people who are in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Key requirements:
- You must be in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident
- Your partner must support your application
- You must meet health and character requirements
You may need to live with your partner in New Zealand for a period before applying, or provide evidence of your relationship if applying from overseas.
Parent Resident Visa
This visa is for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents who want to join their adult children in New Zealand.
Key requirements:
- You must be the parent of an adult New Zealand citizen or resident
- Your child must be settled in New Zealand
- You must meet health and character requirements
- You must meet financial requirements, which may include a minimum income threshold for your sponsor or a significant settlement fund
Dependent Child Resident Visa
This visa is for dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents.
Key requirements:
- You must be the dependent child (under 24) of a New Zealand citizen or resident
- Your parent must support your application
- You must meet health and character requirements
Special Residence Categories
Samoan Quota Resident Visa
This visa is for Samoan citizens who are selected in the annual ballot and meet the requirements.
You must be a Samoan citizen, be selected in the ballot, have a job offer in New Zealand, and meet health, character, and English language requirements.
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa
This visa is for citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu who are selected in the annual ballot and meet the requirements.
You must be a citizen of one of these countries, be selected in the ballot, have a job offer in New Zealand, and meet health, character, and English language requirements.
Refugee Family Support Resident Visa
This visa is for family members of people who were granted residence in New Zealand as refugees.
You must be sponsored by a family member who was granted residence as a refugee, and you must meet health and character requirements.
From Residence to Permanent Residence
After holding a resident visa for at least two years and meeting certain conditions, you may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. This visa has no conditions and never expires, allowing you to leave and return to New Zealand at any time.
To be eligible for permanent residence, you generally need to have:
- Held a resident visa for at least two years
- Met any conditions of your resident visa
- Shown a commitment to New Zealand by spending sufficient time in the country, establishing a base in New Zealand, or investing in New Zealand
Typical Pathway to New Zealand Citizenship
(Work, Student, etc.)
(2+ years with conditions)
(No conditions, never expires)
(After 5 years of residence)
How Sunrise Immigration Services Can Help
Navigating the New Zealand residence visa system can be complex. Our experienced team can assist you with:
- Assessing your eligibility for different residence visa categories
- Identifying the most suitable pathway to residence based on your skills, qualifications, and circumstances
- Preparing and submitting Expressions of Interest for the Skilled Migrant Category
- Preparing and reviewing your residence visa application
- Advising on documentation requirements and ensuring all evidence is correctly presented
- Representing you in communications with Immigration New Zealand
- Providing guidance on meeting post-residence conditions
- Assisting with applications for permanent residence and eventually citizenship
Our goal is to make your journey to New Zealand residence as smooth and stress-free as possible, helping you achieve your dream of making New Zealand your permanent home.
Information sourced from: Immigration New Zealand - Residency
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