There is a broad range of visa options available for your stay in New Zealand. Choosing the right visa type and submitting a perfect visa application is vital for the success of your migration.
Once you know what your plans for New Zealand look like, you can determine which visa type might be best for you.
Do you want to stay forever and start a new life in New Zealand or would you like to stay here for a limited time only, maybe just a few months or years?
Do you want to work, study, join your partner or family, run your own business or retire?
If you want to live in New Zealand long term you will need a Resident Visa. For short term stays a Temporary Visa will be sufficient.
The most common policy is the Skilled Migrant Category policy. This pathway is right for you if you are planning to live and work in New Zealand.
You will need a sound professional background and be able to find a job in New Zealand.
Are you an entrepreneur and want to buy or establish and run your own business in New Zealand?
Then one of the Business and Investor policies might be the best option for you.
Pathway for partners and parents of New Zealand residents or citizens, to help them join their partner or family in New Zealand.
If you are planning to make the most of New Zealand's beautiful lifestyle by spending your retirement years in this country, you might want to choose a Retirement pathway.
This category grants residence to employees of businesses relocating to New Zealand, who do not qualify for residence under any of the other existing categories.
If an accredited employer offers you full-time work, you may be eligible for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, with a possible pathway to residence.
If you are looking for a job and want to take up employment in New Zealand temporarily, you will need a work visa.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa is a category of temporary entry class visa with conditions that allow self-employment in New Zealand.
If your partner is a NZ citizen, resident or work visa holder, you might qualify for a work visa.
If you want to enjoy New Zealand on a holiday, you might need a visitor visa. This is not required for some countries (Visa waiver countries).
If you want to come to New Zealand to study for more than three months you will need a Student Visa.
Parents and legal guardians can visit New Zealand to live with and care for their children who are in New Zealand on a student visa.
If you completed a qualification in New Zealand, you may be eligible for a visa allowing you to work for 1-3 years, depending on the qualification.
If you have a job offer from a recognised seasonal employer, you may be eligible for this visa, allowing you to work in our horticulture and viticulture industries.
Please note:
You need to be a bona fide applicant.
A bona fide applicant for temporary entry is a person who genuinely intends a temporary stay in New Zealand for a lawful purpose; and in the opinion of an immigration officer is not likely to remain in New Zealand unlawfully, or to breach the conditions of any visa granted.
Sponsorship for temporary entry
Sponsorship for a temporary entry visa application ensures that applicants have means of support in New Zealand, and protects from the potential cost of the visa holder seeking support or government assistance they are not entitled to.
Children of work visa holders might be able to obtain student visas, which will allow them to attend a school in New Zealand.
Citizens from some countries (so-called visa waiver countries) do not need to apply for a visitor visa before their arrival. As a holder of a visitor visa, you are not allowed to work in New Zealand.
Visitors to New Zealand are limited to a maximum stay on a visitor visa of nine months and may apply for a further three-month visa, allowing a maximum stay of 12 months.
They may stay in New Zealand for a total of no more than nine months in the 18-month period before the proposed expiry date of the visa.
There are four ways of becoming a New Zealand citizen, only one of them is relevant for migrants.
Please note: The term "Citizenship" is often used in a non-technical sense when describing the term "Residence Visa". Citizenship is quite different.
Different visa types will entitle you to different levels of rights and access to public services. Compare the different benefits they provide
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