Residence visa
There are four main categories under which you can apply for residence in New Zealand. They are as follows.
Skilled Migrant Category
Most people will apply under this category. If you have a skilled job in New Zealand, you may be
eligible to apply for residence under this category. While this category has the biggest annual
quota under the immigration instructions, this is probably one of the more difficult categories
to be approved under, in terms of the number of requirements that you have to satisfy.
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Family Category
If you are a partner, dependent child, or a parent of a New Zealand resident or citizen, then you
may be able to apply for New Zealand residence under this category. Parents in particular are
regarded as low priority for Immigration New Zealand, and it could take several years for Immigration
New Zealand to process the application.
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Entrepreneur Category
If you have been running a business successfully in New Zealand while holding an Entrepreneur Work
Visa, Long Term Business Visa (under the old policy before it changed in March 2014), or an open
work visa for a number of years, and can show to Immigration New Zealand that the business has
created a significant benefit for New Zealand, then you may be eligible under this category.
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Investor Category
This category allows you to be granted with New Zealand residence quickly, if you have sufficient
funds to "actively invest" in New Zealand. The investments must be put in "acceptable investments"
as defined by Immigration New Zealand, which includes investing in New Zealand companies, government
bonds and residential property development.
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Temporary visa
When you are in New Zealand, you must ensure that you have a lawful immigration status at all times. There are
a number of temporary visa options you can choose to apply under, depending on whether you meet the purposes
of the particular visa category. Broadly, there are work, student and visitor visa categories.
Work Visa (Essential Skills)
Work visas branch out to a number of sub-categories. Essential Skills policy is one of such sub-categories,
which is probably the most frequently used to obtain a work visa. To apply under this category,
you will need to have an offer of full time job and have relevant work experience or qualification.
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Work Visa (Partnership)
Applying for a work visa based on relationship is dependent on whether your relationship with your
sponsoring partner is genuine and stable, and whether your sponsor is an "acceptable sponsor".
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Work Visa (Post Study)
When you have completed certain types of courses in New Zealand and have gained recognised qualifications,
you will be able to apply for a work visa under this category. There are two types of work visas
which you could apply for under this category, which are "post-study work visa (open)" and "post-study
work visa (employer assisted)".
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Work Visa (Entrepreneur)
If you are wanting to run a business in New Zealand, you will need to have a work visa under this
category. Formerly called Long Term Business Visa, this category has recently been revamped with
tougher requirements.
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Work Visa (Religious Worker)
When applying for a work visa as a religious worker under this category, you will need to be sponsored
by an organisation which is registered with the Charities Commission, and have relevant work
experience or qualification.
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Student Visa
If you are wanting to undertake a course of study, you will need to have a student visa. You will
need to show to Immigration New Zealand that you have been offered a place by the education provider
and that you have paid the course fees. In certain circumstances, you may not need a student
visa to study.
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Visitor Visa
For visitor visas, you will need to show Immigration New Zealand that your purpose of visit is lawful,
can support yourself financially during your stay, and that you have made arrangements for outward
travel. Some countries are classified as 'visa-waiver countries' by Immigration New Zealand which
means you may not need a visitor visa to come to New Zealand.
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Other applications
Variation of Conditions
Your visa will normally be subject to certain conditions. If those conditions need to be changed,
you will need to apply for a variation of conditions application to ensure that your visa remains
valid.
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Approval in Principle
This is a category which employers can utilise. Having an approval in principle in place will potentially
help your business reduce the downtime associated with getting visas for your staff.
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Employer Accreditation
This option is for well established businesses that have exemplary business practices. Accreditation
with Immigration New Zealand will allow you to offer a package that will enable your staff to
apply under the "Talent Visa" category.
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