Include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under, in your visa application - if you included them in your original residence application.
Things to note
If you want to travel, your Permanent Resident Visa will need to be in a valid passport. You may need to apply to transfer your permanent resident visa to a new passport.
If we’re unable to grant you a Permanent Resident Visa, we may be able to offer you another resident visa or a variation of your resident visa travel conditions. This would give you more time to travel to and from New Zealand as a resident.
People directly affected by the Christchurch terrorist attacks on 15 March 2019 and their New Zealand-based family can apply for permanent residence using a different process. Christchurch Response (2019) — permanent residence visa
You may provide your original passport, or a certified copy when you submit your application. If you provide a certified copy we may request your original passport to complete your application.
in New Zealand, then your 24 months starts from the date your visa was issued
outside New Zealand, then your 24 months starts from the date you arrived in New Zealand.
For evidence, provide either:
your resident visa, or
your residence permit.
If you are outside New Zealand and your travel conditions expire you must apply for your Permanent Resident Visa within 3 months of them expiring — even if you have returned to New Zealand when you apply.
Resident visa conditions
You must have met any conditions of your current resident visa
You meet the time commitment if you have been in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each of the last 2 years. We can use your travel records as evidence.
If you were a non-principal applicant when you applied for a resident visa, you must apply for your permanent resident visa at the same time or after the principal applicant, unless a non-principal exception applies.
The information below will help you understand the process, timeframes and costs involved in applying for this visa, so you can plan ahead and have the best chance of submitting a complete application.
