What’s the difference between a visa and a permit?
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 visa or permit. 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 rights).
How long is my residence visa valid?
Residence visas for principal applicants under the Samoan Quota Scheme are valid for three months only from the day the visa is issued. Those issued to partners and children are valid for 12 months.
If you do not travel to New Zealand within this time, your residence visa will expire.
How long is my residence permit valid?
Your residence permit allows you to live in New Zealand indefinitely. It expires when you leave New Zealand.
You will need a returning resident's visa to re-enter New Zealand, unless you are a New Zealand citizen and hold a New Zealand passport. Your first returning resident’s visa is issued when you are granted your residence visa or your first residence permit in New Zealand and is valid for two years from the date it is issued.
Is there a fee to pay when I apply for a visa or permit?
Yes. You’ll need to pay a fee when you apply for a residence visa or permit. Go to the fees finder to find out what you’ll need to pay.
Can I be refused entry?
While we welcome people from overseas we need to protect the interests of New Zealand citizens and residents.
If an immigration officer believes you’re not genuine, we will not issue you a visa or permit.
In most situations we do not issue visas to people:
- under international sanction
- involved in criminal activities
- sentenced to, or who’ve served, certain prison terms
- deported from countries
- involved with terrorist organisations or activity
- who have a removal order in force against them.
Want to see the wording of the policy? Go directly to the Operations Manual.
These conditions don’t apply to you? Then you may apply for a residence visa or permit.
Examples of eligibility
Not sure whether you’d be eligible to apply for a visa or permit? These examples will give you an idea of the situations under Section 7(1) of the Immigration Act 1987 where, generally, you won’t be eligible to apply for a visa or permit.
Even where you’re eligible to apply, we’ll still thoroughly assess your application before making a decision on whether we’ll grant you a visa or a permit.
| Your situation |
Would I be able to apply for a visa, (provided I meet all the other requirements)? |
| You were released three years ago after serving a six-year prison sentence. |
No |
| You were released 15 years ago after serving a nine-month prison sentence. |
Yes, you’re eligible to apply |
| You were released 11 years ago after serving a 12- month prison sentence. |
Yes. You’re eligible to apply, provided you were sentenced to less than five years and you were released over 10 years ago |
| You were arrested, though not convicted, of drug trading. |
Yes, you’re eligible to apply |
| You have been deported from another country. |
No |
| You’ve been alleged to be, or have been, involved in terrorist activities. |
No |
| You’ve been deported from New Zealand in the past. |
No |
| You’ve been refused entry to another country. |
No |