There is a broad range of visa options available for your stay in New Zealand.
The type of visa you will need for your stay in New Zealand depends on your plans.
Do you need a Permanent Resident Visa or a Temporary Visa? Do you want to work, join your family, run your own business or retire? For how long do you want to stay in New Zealand?
If you want to live in New Zealand forever or long-term you will need a Resident Visa.
This visa policy is New Zealand's most popular option for becoming a permanent resident. You will need a sound professional background and find a job in New Zealand.
Are you an entrepreneur and want to buy or establish and run your own business, or do you want to invest your funds in New Zealand?
Then one of the Business and Investor Resident Visas might be the best option for you.
Does your partner live in New Zealand as resident or citizen? Are you a parent of a NZ permanent resident or citizen? You might be able to join them in New Zealand under one of the Family Visa policies.
If you are planning to make the most of New Zealand's beautiful lifestyle by spending your retirement years in our country, you might want to choose a Retirement pathway.
Are you an employee of a business that is relocating to New Zealand? You might qualify for an if you do not qualify under any of the other visa policies.
If your talents are needed by New Zealand employers, you have an exceptional talent in a field of art, culture or sport, are a religious worker, or are working in an area of identified absolute occupational shortage in New Zealand you might qualify under the Residence from Work policy.
Temporary entry visas facilitate the entry of genuine visitors, students and temporary workers.
If you are looking for a job and want to take up employment in New Zealand temporarily, you will need a work visa.
This visa is for experienced business people who want to work in their own business in New Zealand. It allows you to buy or set up your own business in an initial 12-month start-up stage, and then work in that business for up to 3 years. If your business is successful, you may be eligible to apply for residence.
Most types of work visas allow you to support visas for your partner and dependent children. 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. 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.
If you want to come to New Zealand to study for more than three months you will need a Student Visa.
Children of work visa holders might be able to obtain student visas, which will allow them to attend a school in New Zealand
Parents and legal guardians can visit New Zealand to live with and care for their children who are studying in New Zealand.
If you have completed an acceptable qualification in New Zealand, you can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa.
If you have a job offer from a Recognised Seasonal Employer, you can come to New Zealand for a short time to work in our horticulture and viticulture industries.
The term "Citizenship" is often used in a non-technical way, when migrants are looking for a visa that will allow a long-term stay in New Zealand.
New Zealand's immigration law refers to permanent residence in the context of migrants obtaining a long-term visa, as opposed to citizenship, a status granted by Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs.
Once you are a New Zealand citizen you will be eligible to apply for a New Zealand passport.
Only the latter is relevant for immigrants.
Read more about New Zealand Citizenship
New Zealand's visa policies are complex.
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At first, Maj kindly explained the whole process and what to expect. I was coached and introduced to New Zealand job market by their Job Search team, and getting assistance until I got a job in the country. The Visa team would also follow me up on my pending documents, so I never felt left out. Truly recommended for those seeking out an option to live in New Zealand. Big thanks from me and my whole family for things NZIC did for us..!
NZIC helped me in my way to get a Visa and job search. They were always available to talk to and were open to all sorts of questions. No matter how random they were. Very friendly staff. And even when they had changes in employee and advisors, they always stayed professional and up to date. I can only say good things and recommend them highly.
Very pleased and satisfied with the service we received from NZIC. They assisted me and my family from start to finish. Always willing to assist, and communicated our progress every step of the way. With their assistance we managed to obtain permanent resident visa status.
