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.

Length of stay

Indefinitely

Cost
From
NZD $240
Processing time
80% within
3 weeks
With this visa you can
  • Live, work, and study in New Zealand.
  • Travel to and from New Zealand any time you like.
  • Include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under, in your visa application.
Things to note
Note

Permanent Resident Visa applications are now online.

What you need to apply

Check if you are eligible to apply for this visa and what supporting documents and information you need to provide.

View All Evidence

Prove your identity by providing:

Acceptable photos

After you apply, we will let you know if we need your original passport.

Providing your passport for online applications

Tips

Your photo must be less than 6 months old.

You must include acceptable photos of everyone in your application.

You may need to provide Police Certificates as proof of your good character.

Good character
How to get a police certificate

Tips

If you need to provide a Police Certificate, we will let you know.

If your visa was issued when you were:

  • in New Zealand, then your 2 years starts from the date your visa was issued
  • outside New Zealand, then your 2 years starts from the date you arrived in New Zealand.

For evidence, provide either:

  • your resident visa, or
  • your residence permit.
Tips

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.

You must provide evidence you have met any conditions of your current resident visa.

Check the conditions of your visa

Tips

Visa conditions are different for resident visas granted under different categories and may include things like:

  • travelling to and from New Zealand only for the time allowed by your resident visa
  • spending a minimum number of days in New Zealand
  • keeping money invested in New Zealand
  • working only in a particular job and/or for a particular employer.

The evidence you must provide depends on how you choose to show your commitment to New Zealand.

Commitment to New Zealand

Tips

To meet the time commitment you must have been in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each of the last 2 years. We use your travel records as evidence.

You must provide English translations of all evidence not in English.

Process and costs

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.

Notes

We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your country details. Enter your country details in the panel above to view information relevant to your situation.

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How to submit

Payment methods and receiving centre details if applicable.

Notes

We cannot display any receiving centre or payment method information until you have provided your country details. Enter your country details in the panel above to view information relevant to your situation.

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Conditions

These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.

Keep your visa in a valid passport

If you want to travel, your visa must be in a valid passport.

If your passport expires, you must apply to transfer your visa to a new passport before you can travel.

Transferring my visa to a new passport