Becoming a permanent resident of New Zealand
You can live in New Zealand permanently on a resident visa, but there are rules about travelling. If you then get a Permanent Resident Visa, you can travel in and out of New Zealand any time.
Difference between a resident visa and a Permanent Resident Visa
A resident visa and a Permanent Resident Visa both allow you live in New Zealand permanently. The difference is that a resident visa has conditions, or rules, on it but a Permanent Resident Visa does not have any conditions.
Having a resident visa
With a resident visa, you can live permanently in New Zealand. You can work and study without conditions, but there are conditions on other things including travel. Resident visas only allow you to leave and return to New Zealand until a certain date. This date is called the 'Expiry date travel' on your visa.
If you leave New Zealand, or are outside of New Zealand, after this date your resident visa will expire. You will not be able to return to New Zealand on that visa.
Having a Permanent Resident Visa
A Permanent Resident Visa does not have any conditions. You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after you have had a resident visa for at least 2 years.
With a Permanent Resident Visa, you can live in New Zealand permanently, and you can travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely.
Extending the travel condition
If you choose to stay on your resident visa or you do not meet the requirements for a Permanent Resident Visa, you can apply to extend your 'Expiry date travel' condition.
This will allow you a longer time to return to New Zealand as a resident. The extension may be for 1 year, 2 years or 14 days depending on your situation.
Ways to get a resident visa
There are some resident visas that you can apply for straight away if you have the right skills and meet the requirements. An example is the Straight to Residence Visa.
Some other resident visas have requirements that you can only meet while in New Zealand. This means you will need to start with a temporary visa so you can work, study or own a business in New Zealand. The temporary visa you need depends on the requirements of the resident visa.
For example, the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa requires you to have 2 years of work experience in a care workforce job in New Zealand. You will need a temporary work visa so you can get this work experience.
If you have a temporary visa, make sure you meet the conditions so you can apply for a resident visa later.
There are also resident visas for specific situations, such as for refugees or children being adopted. Citizens and permanent residents of Australia may get a resident visa when they arrive in New Zealand.
Resident visas to live in New Zealand
Getting New Zealand residence based on your skills
Note
The government-funded public services you can use in New Zealand depends on the type of visa you have here. The easiest visa to get is not always the best if you plan on living in New Zealand.
How to get a Permanent Resident Visa
After getting a resident visa, applying for a Permanent Resident Visa is usually the next step. A Permanent Resident Visa does not have any conditions, or rules, on it.
You can only apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if you:
- have had a resident visa for at least 2 years and
- meet all other requirements for a Permanent Resident Visa, including meeting any section 49 conditions on your resident visa and showing that you are committed to New Zealand.
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Step 1: Have a resident visa for 2 years or more
You must have a resident visa for at least 2 years and meet the conditions on that visa, including any section 49 conditions.
The time on your resident visa starts from:
- the date you first arrived in New Zealand from overseas, or
- the date your visa was given, if you were already in New Zealand.
Check your resident visa to make sure you are meeting the conditions.
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Step 2: Show you are committed to New Zealand
You must show you are committed to living in New Zealand. There are 5 ways you can do this.
Showing your commitment to New Zealand for permanent residence
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Step 3: Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa
You, and any family members you will include, must meet all the requirements for a Permanent Resident Visa before you apply.
Check the visa for the full requirements and how to apply.
If you were the principal applicant of the resident visa
If you were the
, or main applicant, of the original resident visa application, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa and include the members of your family from that original application. If you were a partner or dependent child in the resident visa application
If you were included as a partner or dependent child in the original resident application, you are a
. Normally, you cannot apply for a Permanent Resident Visa before the principal applicant.
There are some cases where a non-principal applicant may be able to apply before the principal applicant. An example is when partners separate or divorce.
Non-principal applicants applying for permanent residence, second visas or variations
If you were a dependent child in the original resident application, but are no longer a dependent child, you must apply for your own Permanent Resident Visa.
Bringing children
How to apply for visas for dependent children.How your children apply for a visa
There are 2 ways that dependent children can apply for a visa.
- You may be able to include them in your visa application.
- They may be able to apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you if you:
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- already have a visa
- are applying for a visa, or
- are a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Note
Dependent children are not eligible for work visas.How we define dependent children
The definition of dependent children depends on age and whether they are applying for a resident visa or a temporary visa.
Resident visas for dependent children
Your child is dependent if they are:
- 24 and under, and
- single.
If they are 18 or over they must not have children of their own.
If they are aged 21 to 24 they must also rely on you or another adult for financial support (depending on which visa they have applied for).
Temporary visas for dependent children
Primary or secondary student visas and visitor visas
Your child is dependent if they:
- are 19 and under
- are single, and
- rely on you for financial support.
If they are 18 or 19 they must not have children of their own.
If your children are 20 or older:
- you cannot include them in your application for a visitor or student visa
- they cannot apply for a visitor or student visa based on their relationship with you.
If they want to join you in New Zealand they need to apply for their own visa.
Child of a New Zealander or Worker visitor visas
If your children are aged 20 to 24 they may still be dependent if:
- they are applying for a Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa or Child of a Worker Visitor Visa, and
- they have applied for or are part of your application for an eligible residence visa.
Eligible residence visas
Your children must have applied for, or have been included in your application for one of the following residence visas:
- Dependent Child Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Straight to Residence Visa (based on a Green List role)
- Work to Residence Visa (based on a Green List role)
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Residence Visa
Getting citizenship
For most people, after 5 years of living in New Zealand as a resident, you may be able to get New Zealand citizenship. You do not need a Permanent Resident Visa first.
Requirements for New Zealand citizenship — New Zealand Government