The Migration Process

Permanent Residence

If you wish to settle permanently in New Zealand you will need to apply for a Permanent Residence Visa or Permit.

There are different ways of applying for a Permanent Residence Visa or Permit: Skilled, Business, Investor and Family Migration as well as Work to Residence.

Skilled Migration

The Skilled Migrant Category addresses applicants who are planning to take up skilled employment in New Zealand.

The application process under the Skilled Migrant Category consists of two main stages:

1. Expression of Interest
2. Residence Application

In some cases an assessment of the applicants qualifications will be necessary as well.

Minimum requirements for a residence application under the Skilled Migrant Category are:   

• Good health
• Good character
• Good English language capabilities
• Age limit of 55 years
• Points score of at least 100 under the points system

In principle every applicant who meets these criteria is eligible to submit an Expression of Interest under this policy.

All Expressions of Interest received by Immigration New Zealand are ranked from highest to lowest points and placed in a Pool.

Every fortnight Immigration New Zealand selects those Expressions of Interest with the highest points scores. This process is called Selection.

The number of Expressions of Interest selected from the Pool is determined by the number of immigrants New Zealand is aiming to gain during each current year.

The lowest points score necessary for an Expression of Interest to be selected from the Pool is called Selection Point.

Only Expressions of Interest with a points score equal or higher than the Selection Point are selected.

It is therefore of great importance to score as many points as possible when submitting an Expression of Interest.

Expressions of Interest which have been successfully selected from the Pool will undergo a preliminary verification and only those applicants, who have successfully passed this stage, will then receive an Invitation to Apply for a Residence Permit.

At this second stage of the application process all documents proving the point claims made in the Expression of Interest have to be submitted to Immigration New Zealand together with the Application for Residence.

Immigration New Zealand will then assess your application for residence against Government residence policy and look at your ability to settle successfully and make a real contribution to New Zealand's social and economic development.

As part of this step you might be invited to attend an interview. 

Depending on how well you are able to demonstrate your ability or potential to successfully settle in New Zealand

• your application may be approved and you will be granted a Residence Visa or Permit, or
• you may instead be granted a Work Visa or Permit, which will enable you to establish yourself in skilled employment in New Zealand and help you gain residence, or
• your application may be declined.

If you are interested to find out whether you might be eligible for Permanent Residence under the Skilled Migrant Category, please click below:

For a quick self-assessment

If you want us to provide you with a detailed assessment

   "We are looking forward to hearing from you!"

If you want us to assess your chances

Questions you might like to ask us:

	Jobsearch - Where can I get help with finding employment?
	Business for Sale - Can I buy an existing business?
	Study in New Zealand - Residence through studies?
	Open a bank account - how can I transfer my money?
	What are the English language requirements?
	Will I be eligible for public healthcare?
	What customs requirements are there?
	Will I be able to bring my pets?
	Will I be able to use my skills?