Gaining New Zealand Residence

First steps

Before you start the process of applying for residence, you need to ensure that, at an absolute minimum, you:

 

  • Are healthy. You will need to have a doctor assess your health and complete medical and chest x ray certificates for each member of your family coming to New Zealand.
  • Are of good character. With your application you'll need to include police certificates as evidence of good character of yourself and all members of your family aged 17 years and over.
  • Have a high standard of English. Requirements may vary slightly by category, but generally you (and everyone else aged 16 or over who is accompanying you) should be able to read, write, understand and speak English to a high standard.

 

If you meet these criteria, it's a good start. Now select one of these categories and apply following the stated process:

 

"The process was clear and easy to follow. We knew how many points we had and how the Selection Pool worked. We used the website to know what was needed for our application and being able to talk with a nominated immigration person was very important."

 

The Orlandea family moved to New Zealand from Romania. They were one of the first families to apply for residence under the new Skilled Migrant category.