Visa Types
An introduction to the types of New Zealand visas…
Temporary Visas
Temporary visas allow you to visit, work, study, or undertake business activities in New Zealand for a defined period, and for a specific purpose. While some temporary visas can be renewed or lead to further visa opportunities, they do not provide any right to remain permanently in New Zealand.
For many migrants, a temporary visa is the first step. With careful planning, temporary visa pathways can lead to residence and the opportunity to build a long-term future in New Zealand.
Resident Visas
A resident visa allows you to live in New Zealand indefinitely, and to enjoy many of the same rights and benefits as New Zealand citizens, including access to public healthcare, education, and the ability to work, study, own a business, vote in elections, and to (normally) purchase property.
Some resident visas are granted subject to meeting specific conditions. Examples include investor and parent resident visas. These conditions must be fully satisfied before you can become eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa.
Permanent Resident Visas (PRV)
Most resident visas are initially granted with travel conditions that allow you to leave and re-enter New Zealand as a resident. These travel conditions are most often initially valid for two years, but some resident visa categories do have longer periods.
After those travel conditions expire, you may remain in New Zealand indefinitely as a resident. However, if you wish to travel overseas and continue returning to New Zealand as a resident, you will generally need either a PRV or a variation of travel conditions.
There are several ways to qualify for a PRV, but the most common way is to have held a resident visa for at least two years, and to have spent at least 184 days in New Zealand in each of the two years immediately prior to applying for your PRV. A PRV has no travel restrictions, no conditions, no expiry date, and allows the holder to travel freely in and out of New Zealand indefinitely.
Apart from travel conditions, there is generally no difference in the rights and entitlements of a resident visa holder and a permanent resident visa holder.
A PRV application has no health requirements however if you have any convictions these must be declared and can impact on your application.
New Zealand Citizenship
For many migrants, citizenship is the final step in their New Zealand journey.
In most cases, a person must hold residence, and meet New Zealand's presence requirements over a five-year period, before becoming eligible to apply for New Zealand citizenship, and to obtain a New Zealand passport.
Electronic Visas
New Zealand visas are generally issued electronically by way of a “Visa Details Letter” but a physical label can also be issued into the passport for an additional fee.
Visa details must always correspond with the passport being used for travel. The process to transfer a visa to a new passport is also undertaken electronically and normally within just a few days.
More Information
How We Can Help
Every situation is different. Our experienced advisers can help you understand the options available, identify the pathway that best suits your circumstances and goals, and develop a plan that supports your future in New Zealand.
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