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 sponsorship

You must provide a recently completed Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091) PDF 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 showing your earnings over the period since you were granted a Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport) work permit or visa 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 visa. Examples of suitable evidence include:

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:

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

• the Residence from Work application fee.

Submit evidence that everyone meets health requirements

You will need to provide a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1007) PDF for each person included on your application.

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.

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 (INZ 1060) PDF.

The principal applicant does not have to provide this evidence.

Lodge your application

Applicants under these instructions must be in New Zealand at the time they lodge their application for a residence class visa.

Applications for Residence from Work (Talent - Accredited Employers, Arts, Culture and Sports) are processed at the Business Migration Branch.

Migrant levy

If your application is successful, you will need to pay a migrant levy before we can grant your residence class 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 the more about applying for a visa section.