New Zealand Immigration

New Zealand Immigration - If you are considering moving to New Zealand, you will first need to ascertain your eligibility for permanent residence, and at a later date, consider citizenship (this is optional). We suggest you make your start with the New Zealand Immigration Service website.

To live and work in New Zealand, you will need to qualify for one of the three migrant categories within the New Zealand Immigration Programme (NZIP). NZIP is managed by the New Zealand Government and grants residence to 45,000 people annually. The three migrant categories - Skilled/Business, Family Sponsored and International /Humanitarian – have an individual focus with each having their own set of rules. To relocate to New Zealand as an approved resident, you and/or your family will be required to fall into one of these categories.

The New Zealand Immigration Service provides an assessment guide to assist you identify which of the groups within this category you might qualify for.

For its growth as a nation, New Zealand will allow people with specific skills to enter the country under the Skilled Migrant category. Your eligibility within this group is based on a number of prerequisites, including the ability to meet the required health, good character and English standards' criterion, and a "points" system.

The Work to Residence category includes the following groups: Talent (Accredited Employers) Residence Policy, Talent (Arts, Culture, and Sports) Residence Policy, and Priority Occupations List Residence Policy. This category allows you to enter New Zealand on a work visa and permit, enabling you to work and live in the country for at least 30 months. Once you have been in New Zealand for a minimum of two years, you can make an application for permanent residence.

The Business category applies to three main groups: people who want to invest in New Zealand, people who want to start a business in New Zealand and people who wish to come to New Zealand with an existing employer who is relocating its business here.

Qualification under the Investor category is based on a points system, which includes points for your age, your business experience, and the amount of funds you have available for investment in New Zealand. You will also be required to show evidence of the funds you have stated and you must transfer those funds into a New Zealand trading bank.

In summary, if you meet the prerequisites and can score at least 100 points as required by this category, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Your Expression of Interest can be completed online or in hard copy format. As you send no supporting documentation at this time, it may be easier for you to complete online. You will need to register first before you can begin completing the form.

Once your EOI has been received, it goes into the selection pool which is drawn from fortnightly. Those EOIs with the top points relative to the current selection point are assessed for validity and then invited to apply for residence.

Once you receive your Application for Residence form, you will need to check it thoroughly to ensure that all the information recorded is correct.

The application form is then returned to NZIS along with all supporting documentation for every person included in the application.

Once your application has been received by the NZIS office, it will be verified for correctness and validity. Assuming that the information you have provided is correct and NZIS approve your application, you will be advised that your application has been approved and you will be issued with a Residence Permit or Visa.

When you first come to New Zealand as an approved resident, you do so under a Residence Permit or Visa.

A Residence Visa is obtained while you are residing in your original country and allows you to enter New Zealand once. It is generally valid for 12 months from the date of issue and cannot be renewed or extended.

For more information you can Purchase a Guide to New Zealand Immigration.