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 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 sponsorship
You must provide a recently completed Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport) Sponsorship Form (NZIS 1091) PDF [98KB] from a New Zealand organisation of national repute sponsoring you for residence.
Your sponsorship form must include a signed undertaking from an eligible New Zealand resident or citizen personally guaranteeing to provide you with accommodation and financial support during the first 24 months of your residence in New Zealand, if this should be necessary.
Submit evidence of engagement in your field
Along with your completed (and signed) application form you must submit a Summary of Earnings form from the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department showing your earnings over the period since you were granted a Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport) work permit to the time of your residence application.
You should also provide any other documents or evidence that demonstrate you have been actively engaged in your field of arts, culture or sports while you have been the holder of a Talent work permit/visa. Examples of suitable evidence include:
- documents showing income generated by your activities in your field (such as GST receipts, bank accounts, tax returns)
- schedules of performances, exhibitions, activities or events in which you have participated or featured
- letters of appreciation or commendation from individuals or organisations for your activities, performances or achievements
- a statement from the New Zealand organisation which sponsored you for a Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport) work permit/visa giving details of your activities over the past 24 months.
These are examples only. You may provide any other evidence that you consider shows you have been actively engaged in your field of arts, culture or sports.
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.