New Zealand: Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa and/or work permit?

If you would like to live and work in New Zealand permanently, you will need to obtain a visa or work permit. You can learn more about whether you qualify for one of these at Immigration New Zealand .

Immigration New Zealand also grants temporary work visas and permits to people who have a job offer from a New Zealand employer, people skilled in occupations that are in demand, people going to the country for a particular purpose or event, people who want to gain work experience or people who want to work after studying in New Zealand.

If you're aged between 18 and 30 years, you may be eligible to get a temporary work permit for a working holiday. You may also be granted one if you plan to work in the horticulture and viticulture industries.

If you're already in New Zealand as a visitor, you can take a single course of study that lasts less than three months without requiring a student permit. If you want to take more than one course and/or study for longer than three months, you can apply for a student permit while you are there.

For those outside New Zealand and planing to study full time for more than three months, you will need a student visa and a student permit, unless your home country has a special agreement with New Zealand. If you're a full-time student, you can work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year as well as during the Christmas holidays. On completing your course, there is a Study to Work visa category if you wish to remain and work in the country.

How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?

The application process varies for each type of visa or work permit. Details on how to apply for each one, as well as other useful information and frequently asked questions, can be found on the Immigration New Zealand  website. Working in New Zealand - Visa  also has useful information on visas.

You will need to pay the correct fee when you lodge your application. The amount you have to pay varies depending on the type of application, your country of citizenship and where you currently live.

The best way to ensure that the application process goes well is to include all the information and documentation required with your application form.

If you are not a UK national, you can contact the New Zealand embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to New Zealand High Commission, London .

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in New Zealand.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

In order to apply for residency, you need to prove that you are healthy, of good character and have a high standard of English. Application categories include:

• Skilled Migrant: this option is for qualified people, aged 55 and under, who can contribute to an innovative workforce and, therefore, help the economy grow. The first step is to complete an Expression of Interest and if this is accepted you'll receive an Invitation to Apply.
• Work to Residence: for people in highly specialised or in-demand fields, those with a job offer from an accredited employer or those who have exceptional talent in sports or the arts. This category allows you to work temporarily in New Zealand as the first step towards permanent residence, which you can apply for after two years.
• Family Stream: allows immediate family members who are already New Zealand citizens or residents to sponsor other family members.
• Business: for investors and entrepreneurs who are interested in permanent residency in New Zealand.

There are processing fees for applications in all entry categories. However, under a number of bilateral agreements, there are some countries that have fee exemptions, including the US, Japan, Italy, Austria and Finland.

For further information on applying for residency, visit Immigration New Zealand .