To be eligible you must:
- have been the principal applicant in your original residence application, or be included in a Returning Resident's Visa application by the original principal applicant.
- have held a residence permit at a time which was a minimum of two years before you apply.
- met any requirements previously imposed under section 18A of the Immigration Act.
and
- you have spent a lot of time in New Zealand already – 184 days or more in every year for the past two years
or one of the following ways:
- you have tax residence status here - you have spent 41 days or more in each of the two years in New Zealand and you are assessed by the Inland Revenue Department as being a resident tax payer for the past two years.
- you have acceptable investments here either as a Business Investor or in another residence category.
- you have successfully established a business here that has been trading for at least 12 months.
- you have established a base here – this depends on the time you and your family have spend here, whether you own a home, whether you have a fulltime job.
Note: If you hold a resident permit, but you are a person who would otherwise be prohibited for entry (for instance, because you would be subject to travel sanctions), you may only be eligible for a 14-day Returning Resident’s Visa. If you think this might apply to you, you should contact your nearest branch of Immigration New Zealand to discuss your situation.