New Zealand Immigration Visas

Listed below is a short overview of the different types of visa's New Zealand has to offer. The services provided by New Zealand Shores are aligned with these visa categories.

To talk to a licenced immigration adviser about which visa is right for you and your family feel free to contact us.

Permanent Visas

Skilled Migrant Visa

The skilled migrant category is the most popular way to gaining New Zealand permanent residence. It is a point's based system where the principal applicant must meet the 100 point threshold required to submit an Expression of Interest or ‘EOI'. This EOI goes into a large pool of applications where every fortnight a selection is made. The selection is based on the number and type of points claimed. Not everyone who is eligible to submit an EOI necessarily gets selected. If you meet the selection requirements and immigration invites you to apply then you are on your way to applying for residence.

Business Visa

Long Term Business Visa

If you have business experience gained from running your own business or holding a senior management position in a business enterprise then you may be eligible for a business visa. Under the Long Term Business Visa Category you can buy, invest or start up your own business in New Zealand and once this business has been successfully running for 2 years, you can apply for permanent residence.

Work to Residence Visa

Work to residence is initially a temporary work visa which can lead to permanent residence after working on this visa for at least 24 months. It is different from a general temporary work visa in that you must have an offer of employment with an accredited employer for an annual base salary of NZD$55,000 or more. Also unlike the general temporary work visa, this type of visa does not under-go a Labour Market Check making the process of applying and your chances of gaining a work to residence visa easier!

Family Visa

If you have family permanently residing in New Zealand, or are in a relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident, then you may be eligible to apply for a temporary and/or permanent residence visa under the family categories. In some cases the principal applicant may require a job offer and evidence from your New Zealand sponsor of their ability to financially support you.

Investment Visa

Investing money into New Zealand can lead to residence. The investment thresholds are NZD$10 Million for the Investor 1 category and NZD$1.5 Million for the Investor 2 category. The money must be invested into acceptable funds and must remain in New Zealand for at least 3 years for Category 1 and 4 years for category 2. Your permanent residence is also conditional upon residing within New Zealand for a given amount of time over the period of investment.

Temporary Visas

Visiting Visa

If you are looking to holiday in New Zealand, or wish to visit family and friends, then you can do so on a visitor's visa. Citizens of some countries are not required to apply for a visa before arriving in New Zealand and will be granted a permit for 3 or 6 months on arrival. There are many types of visitor visas. For example, grandparents who wish to visit their New Zealand grandchildren can apply for a special type of visa which entitles them to a total stay of 18 months in a 3 year period.

Working Visa

If you have an offer of skilled employment from a New Zealand employer then you can apply for a general work visa. You must have qualifications and/or work experience relevant to the offer of employment and in many cases the New Zealand employer will have to prove there are no New Zealand citizens or residents available to fill the position. An open work permit, which does not require an offer of employment, is available for those in a relationship with a New Zealand Citizen or Resident. General work visa's can be anywhere from 1-5 years in duration.

Student Visa

All students who are not New Zealand Citizens or Residents must apply for a student visa in order to study or attend school in New Zealand. Those wanting to attend a short course of study for up to 3 months can do so on a visitor's visa without the need to apply for a student visa.

Working Holidays Visa

Citizens of some countries are eligible for a working holiday visa which allows young nationals the chance to holiday and work part time for 12 or 24 months in New Zealand. You must be able to show funds to support your stay and your primary intention must be to visit and/or holiday in New Zealand.

All permanent residence visa applications include a complete family permanent residence application and any temporary applications which may also be required e.g work, student and visitors visas for immediate family members.