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 Application for Residence in New Zealand (NZIS 1000) PDF [183KB].
Also available is the Guide to Applying for Residence in New Zealand (NZIS 1002) PDF [1.2MB], which will help you to apply.
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 submit a Summary of Earnings form from the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department to confirm that your base salary has been at least:
- NZ$45,000 per annum if your work visa or permit application under this policy was made before 30 July 2007; or
- NZ$50,000 per annum if your work visa or permit application under this policy was made on or after 30 July 2007 but before 28 July 2008; or
- NZ$55,000 per annum if your work visa or permit application under this policy was made on or after 28 July 2008.
You must also provide a letter from your employer which shows the dates of your employment. The letter must be no more than one month old when you apply.
If your employer's accreditation was not renewed or was removed you may still qualify for residence if we granted you a variation to your work permit conditions allowing you to work for a non-accredited employer.
You must also provide confirmation in writing from your New Zealand employer that:
- you have been employed in New Zealand for 24 months or more
- your base salary is NZ$45,000, NZ$50,000, or NZ$55,000 per year depending on when your work visa or permit application under this policy was made (see above)
- you are employed full time (on average, at least 30 hours per week)
- your employment is ongoing (permanent or indefinite, or for a stated term of at least 12 months with an option of further terms)
- your employment is genuine
- your employment complies with employment law in force in New Zealand (including having a written employment agreement specifying the necessary terms and conditions, and which meets holiday, special leave and occupational health and safety requirements).
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:
Submit evidence that everyone meets health requirements
You will need to provide a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) PDF [401KB] for each person included on your application.
For help completing the form, see the Medical & Chest X-ray Certificate - Applicant's Notes (NZIS 1133) PDF [117KB]. Translations of these notes are available in several different languages.
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 Health Requirements Leaflet (NZIS 1121) PDF [205KB].
Submit evidence that everyone over 17 meets 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 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 (NZIS 1060) PDF [125KB].
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 permit.
More about applying for a visa or permit
For more information about getting your documents together, how long the application process might take, and what you can expect from us, see the more about applying for a visa or permit section.