Resident visa conditions
Find out some of the common conditions that apply to resident visas.
Common resident visa conditions
You must meet all your visa conditions. Here are some common conditions that apply to resident visas.
Visa expiry date
A resident visa allows you to live in New Zealand. Your resident visa will not expire while you stay in New Zealand.
Travel conditions
Travel conditions are conditions of your visa that determine when you are allowed to enter New Zealand.
First entry before condition
The 'First entry before' travel condition means that you must travel to New Zealand before this date so that you can keep your resident visa valid. If you do not enter New Zealand before this date, your resident visa will no longer be valid.
Expiry date travel
The last day you can enter New Zealand using this visa. Your resident visa will expire if you are outside New Zealand and your ‘Expiry date travel’ has passed.
Number of entries
If your resident visa states that your are allowed 'Multiple entries', you can re-enter New Zealand as many times as you want before your 'Expiry date travel'.
Leaving New Zealand on a resident visa
If you need to leave the country temporarily on a resident visa and your travel conditions have expired, apply for a Permanent Resident Visa or a variation of your travel conditions to return to New Zealand as a resident.
Compliance with public health legislation
If you applied for your resident visa after 30 June 2020, it will be issued on the condition that you comply with orders under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020, the Health Act 1956 and instructions from a Medical Officer of Health which relates to a certain diseases.
If your visa was granted in New Zealand, this condition applies for 3 months from the date your resident visa was granted. If your visa was granted overseas, this condition applies for 3 months from the date you arrived in New Zealand.
During the 3 month timeframe you must not be convicted, or served an infringement notice for an offence under these Acts. This condition does not apply after the 3 month timeframe has ended.
Investment
If your resident visa was granted under a category that required you to invest in New Zealand, your resident visa may be subject to conditions that you keep your funds invested in New Zealand for a certain period of time. See your visa approval letter for more details.
Sponsorship
If you were sponsored by someone for your resident visa, there are conditions that your sponsor must meet. For example if you have a Parent Category Resident Visa.
Your sponsor must meet these conditions for a set amount of time after your visa is granted. The amount of time that applies to you will be noted on your visa, but cannot be more than 10 years.
Your sponsor must:
- provide suitable accommodation if you do not have your own place to live.
- ensure your health and welfare needs are met.
- pay any costs associated with your deportation and repatriation (if required).