Visas that may allow you to live in NZ

Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa

Apply for this visa if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer, and you have worked in a care workforce role for 24 months.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Apply for this visa if you currently work or you have a job offer from an accredited employer, and qualify for 6 points for your skills and work in New Zealand. You submit an expression of interest (EOI). If it is accepted, we invite you to apply.

Straight to Residence Visa

Apply for this visa if you currently work, or you have a job offer, from an accredited employer, and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List in-demand.

Transport Work to Residence Visa

Apply for this visa if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer, and have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in a transport role.

Work to Residence Visa

Apply for this visa if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer, and have worked in a Tier 2 Green List in-demand role for 24 months.

Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident, you can apply to become a New Zealand resident. Your partner must support your application.

Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa

If you have worked in New Zealand for more than 2 years while holding a Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa, you may be eligible for this residence visa.

Parent Retirement Resident Visa

Parents, who have an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident, can apply to live in New Zealand permanently. To apply, you’ll need an annual income of NZ $60,000 plus NZ $1 million to invest for 4 years, and another NZ $500,000 to live on.

Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa

If you have worked in New Zealand for an accredited employer for more than 2 years, you may be eligible for this residence visa. If you held a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa and been employed in New Zealand by an accredited employer for more than 2 years, you may be eligible for this residence visa.

Dependent Child Resident Visa

If you are a New Zealand citizen or resident and you live here, you can apply for your dependent children to move to New Zealand to live with you. If your children are granted residence, they can live in New Zealand permanently.

Entrepreneur Resident Visa

This visa is for people who have been self-employed in their own business in New Zealand for at least 6 months, or have operated a business for two years on another visa that allows self-employment. If you’re granted this visa, you’ll be able to continue living and operating your business in New Zealand on a permanent basis.

Samoan Quota Resident Visa

Each year we invite Samoan citizens to register for a ballot that, if drawn, may result in an invitation to apply for New Zealand residence.

Pacific Access Category Resident Visa

Each year we invite people from Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga to register for a ballot that, if drawn, allows you to apply to live in New Zealand.

Second or Subsequent Resident Visa

If you want to return to New Zealand to live but your New Zealand Resident Visa has expired, you may be eligible for a Second or Subsequent Resident Visa.

Permanent Resident Visa

You can apply for this visa if you have had a resident visa for more than 2 years. This visa allows you to live in New Zealand permanently, as well as travel in and out of New Zealand.

Religious Worker Resident Visa

Religious workers, who have been doing religious work in New Zealand on a valid Religious Worker Work Visa for the last 3 years, may be eligible for this resident visa. To apply you will need an offer of continuing religious work and sponsorship from the religious organisation that’s sponsoring you now.

Active Investor Plus Visa

Apply for this visa to live, work and invest in New Zealand. You must have at least NZD $15 million or the weighted equivalent in available assets or funds.

Parent Resident Visa

If you have an adult New Zealand citizen or resident child who earns enough and agrees to sponsor you, you may be able to live in New Zealand permanently. You need to send us an expression of interest explaining how you meet the requirements and be sponsored by your child, or your child and their partner, and we may invite you to apply for residence.

Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Resident Visa

If you hold a Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa, have been actively engaged in your declared field of talent in New Zealand for 2 years and remain prominent in this field, you may be eligible for this residence visa.

Australian Resident Visa

Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand. If you are an Australian permanent resident you will need an NZeTA.

Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa

This visa helps victims of family violence. You can apply for this visa if you were the partner of a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder and have experienced family violence.

Trafficking Victim Resident Visa

This visa protects people who cannot return home after being trafficked into or within New Zealand. You can be granted this visa if you are in New Zealand and hold a trafficking victim work, student or visitor visa.

Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa

This visa can help employees who are integral to the success of the business they work for, who aren’t eligible for any other kind of resident visa, relocate to New Zealand. If you meet the conditions of the visa, which include working for your relocating employer for a 24-month period, you may be able stay in New Zealand indefinitely.

Intercountry Adoption Resident Visa

If you’re a New Zealand citizen or resident, you can apply for a child you’ve legally adopted from overseas to move to New Zealand to live with you. If your adopted child is granted residence, they can stay in New Zealand indefinitely.

Pitcairn Islander Resident Visa

Pitcairn Islanders can apply for a resident visa, if they have been offered skilled employment in New Zealand.

Refugee Family Support Resident Visa

If you have a family member who was granted New Zealand residence because they were a refugee or protected person, they may be able to sponsor your application for New Zealand residence.

South Island Contribution Resident Visa

If you have been employed in the South Island for 2 years since being granted a South Island Contribution Work Visa you may be eligible for this resident visa.