If you want to move to New Zealand to live, you’ll need to apply for residence.

In some circumstances you may not be able to get a residence class visa.  To protect the interests of New Zealanders we do not issue visas to people involved in certain activities.  For example, if you’ve been involved in criminal or terrorist activities (see below for more examples and entry).

Grant of resident visas

If an application for a resident visa under the Pacific Access Category is approved and the applicant is in New Zealand lawfully, a resident visa will be granted.

If an application for a resident visa under the Pacific Access Category is approved and the applicant is in their home country, the principal applicant will be granted a resident visa with travel conditions allowing first entry within three months. Those issued to partners and children will allow first entry within 12 months. If you do not travel to New Zealand within this time, your resident visas will expire.

How long is my resident visa valid?

Your resident visa allows you to live in New Zealand indefinitely.

You will also need travel conditions to allow you to re-enter New Zealand, unless you are a New Zealand citizen and hold a New Zealand passport. You will have been granted travel conditions valid for 24 months (from the date of arrival if you were granted residence outside New Zealand or from the date the visa was granted if you were in New Zealand) with your first resident visa. This means you can travel in and out of New Zealand for two years.

Your resident visa will expire if your travel conditions expire when you are outside New Zealand.

Is there a fee to pay when I apply for a visa?

Yes. You’ll need to pay a fee when you apply for a residence class visa. Go to the fees finder to find out what you’ll need to pay.

Can I be refused entry?

If an immigration officer believes you’re not genuine, we will not issue you a visa.

In most situations we do not issue visas to people:

These conditions don’t apply to you? Then you may apply for a residence class visa. 

Examples of eligibility

Not sure whether you’d be eligible for a visa?  These examples will give you an idea of the situations under Sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration Act 2009 where, generally, you would not be granted a visa.

All applications are thoroughly assessed before a decision is made on whether a visa is granted. The guidelines given here concern character requirements for the granting of visas. All other requirements must also be met for a visa to be granted.