To help you make sure you have everything you need to apply for residence, please print out our checklist.

Complete the form

Print and complete the form Residence Application (INZ 1000) PDF.

Also available is the Residence Guide (INZ 1002) PDF, which will assist you in applying. 

If you cannot print the form and guide, they are available from your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.

Submit evidence of your employment

You must provide a letter from your New Zealand employer(s) which shows the dates of your employment and the occupation you are/were employed in. If you have had more than one New Zealand employer while you have been the holder of a Long Term Skill Shortage List work visa, supply letters from each employer.

You must also provide confirmation in writing from your New Zealand employer that you currently have employment in New Zealand which is:

The covering letter from your employer should be no more than one month old when you make your application. A letter from an employer stating you are still employed on the same terms and conditions under which you were granted a work visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work category must have a copy of those original terms and conditions attached.

Submit evidence of your registration

If full or provisional registration is required to practise in your occupation in New Zealand, you must provide a current registration certificate from the relevant New Zealand registration authority.

Submit evidence of your partnership

If you are including a partner on your residence application, you must include evidence that you meet the requirements for recognition of a partnership. See the guide for more details.

Submit everything that we require, including the fee

Everyone included on your application must provide:

• two recent passport size photographs
• a current passport or certificate of identity
• a full birth certificate

• the Residence from Work application fee.

Show us that everyone meets our health requirements

You will need to provide a completed General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) PDF and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) PDF for each person included on your application. If you have already provided these certificates within the last 36 months you may not need to provide new certificates.

Note:Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required.

For full details on health requirements, see our guide Health Requirements (INZ 1121) PDF.

Show us that everyone over 17 meets our character requirements

You will also need to supply a police certificate for you and anyone else aged over 17 included on your application. You must supply police certificate(s) less than six months old, from your country of citizenship and from any country in which you have lived for over 12 months in the last 10 years, including New Zealand.

Submit evidence your partner and children over 16 meet English language requirements

You must provide evidence that anyone else included in your application aged 16 and over either meets English language requirements or will pre-purchase ESOL tuition. For more information, see the leaflet English Language Information (INZ 1060) PDF.

The principal applicant does not have to provide this evidence.

Lodge your application

If you are overseas, your application must be made and approved before you travel to New Zealand. Find out where to send your application.

If you are in New Zealand, you must send your application to your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.

Migrant levy

If your application is successful, you will need to pay a migrant levy before we can grant your residence visa.

More about applying for a visa

For more information about getting your documents together, how long the application process might take, and what you can expect from us, see more about applying for a visa.