New Zealand

  1. New Zealand Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa)
  • Purpose: For tourism, visiting family or friends, or short-term recreational activities.
  • Duration: Up to 9 months.
  • Eligibility:
    • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay (at least NZD 1,000 per month).
    • A return or onward travel ticket.
    • A valid passport.

Who Needs It:

  • Citizens of many countries, such as Australia, EU, USA, Canada, UK, and Japan, can visit New Zealand visa-free for 3 months under the Visa Waiver Program.
  • Other nationalities must apply for a visa before traveling.

Special Visitor Visas:

  • Group Visitor Visa: For groups traveling together for the same purpose.
  • Medical Treatment Visitor Visa: For those seeking medical treatment in New Zealand.
  1. New Zealand Work Visa

New Zealand offers different types of work visas based on the type of job, skill level, and duration of employment. Below are the most common categories:

  1. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
  • Purpose: For skilled workers looking to live and work in New Zealand permanently.
  • Eligibility:
    • Must score at least 180 points on New Zealand’s points-based system.
    • Skills must be on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
    • Must meet English language and health requirements.
  • Pathway to Residence: Provides a pathway to permanent residence.
  1. Essential Skills Work Visa
  • Purpose: For workers with a job offer in occupations where there is a shortage of New Zealand workers.
  • Eligibility:
    • Must have a job offer from a New Zealand employer.
    • The job must be listed on the Essential Skills in Demand list, or the employer must show they couldn’t find a local worker.
  • Duration: Valid for up to 3 years, depending on the job type.
  1. Accredited Employer Work Visa
  • Purpose: For individuals with job offers from accredited employers in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
    • Relevant qualifications or work experience.
  • Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable.
  1. Working Holiday Visa
  • Purpose: For young people (usually aged 18-30) from specific countries who wish to holiday in New Zealand and take on short-term employment.
  • Eligibility:
    • Available to nationals of specific countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, UK, Japan, etc.).
    • Applicants must meet age, health, and financial requirements.
  • Duration: Typically valid for 12 months (up to 23 months for some nationalities).
  1. Post-Study Work Visa
  • Purpose: For international students who have completed a New Zealand qualification and want to work in the country after graduation.
  • Eligibility:
    • Completion of an eligible New Zealand qualification.
    • No need for a job offer to apply.
  • Duration: Up to 3 years, depending on the qualification level.
  1. New Zealand Student Visa
  • Purpose: For international students enrolling in full-time courses at approved educational institutions in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Offer of a place from a New Zealand institution.
    • Proof of financial means to cover tuition and living costs (NZD 15,000 per year for living expenses).
    • Medical and travel insurance.

Duration:

  • Length of the course, with the option to apply for a Post-Study Work Visa after graduation.

Work Rights:

  • Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
  1. New Zealand Family Visa
  2. Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
  • Purpose: For partners of New Zealand citizens or residents to live and work in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Proof of a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident.
    • Financial support from your partner may be required.
  • Duration: Up to 2 years, with a pathway to permanent residency.
  1. Parent Resident Visa
  • Purpose: For parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to join their children in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Children must sponsor their parents.
    • Parents must meet the income and financial investment requirements.
  • Duration: Permanent residence.
  1. Dependent Child Visa
  • Purpose: For children of New Zealand citizens or residents to live in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be dependent on their parent and not living an independent life.
  • Duration: Varies based on the child’s age.
  1. New Zealand Business and Investor Visas
  2. Investor Visa (Investor 1 and Investor 2 Categories)
  • Purpose: For high-net-worth individuals who wish to invest in New Zealand and gain residence.
  • Investor 1 Category:
    • Minimum investment of NZD 10 million for 3 years.
  • Investor 2 Category:
    • Minimum investment of NZD 3 million for 4 years.
  • Eligibility: Must meet health, character, and investment requirements.
  • Duration: Leads to permanent residence.
  1. Entrepreneur Work Visa
  • Purpose: For individuals looking to establish or run a business in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Minimum capital investment of NZD 100,000.
    • Viable business plan.
  • Duration: Initially 12 months, extendable for another 24 months if conditions are met.
  1. Global Impact Visa
  • Purpose: For entrepreneurs, investors, and change-makers who want to create impactful business projects in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be accepted into the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) program.
    • Meet English language and health requirements.
  • Duration: Up to 3 years, with the possibility of permanent residence.
  1. New Zealand Residency Visas
  2. Permanent Resident Visa
  • Purpose: For individuals who want to live permanently in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Must have held a Resident Visa for at least 2 years.
    • Proof of commitment to New Zealand (e.g., working, living, or owning property).
  • Benefits: Same rights as New Zealand citizens, except for voting and holding certain government jobs.
  1. Resident Visa (Family, Skilled, or Investment):
  • Purpose: For individuals who meet eligibility criteria based on family ties, skills, or investment.
  • Eligibility: Varies based on the visa category, such as family sponsorship, points-based qualifications for skilled workers, or investment in the country.
  1. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
  • Purpose: For skilled workers wishing to move to New Zealand permanently.
  • Eligibility: Based on a points system considering factors like age, qualifications, work experience, and job offers in New Zealand.
  1. Refugee Family Support Resident Visa
  • Purpose: For refugees who wish to sponsor family members to live in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • The refugee must be a New Zealand resident.
    • Can sponsor close family members.
  1. Transit Visa
  • Purpose: For individuals passing through New Zealand on their way to another destination.
  • Visa Exemptions: Citizens of many countries (e.g., Australia, USA, EU) do not need a visa for transit through New Zealand for a period of fewer than 24 hours.

Duration:

  • Valid for the duration of the transit (usually up to 24 hours).
  1. New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
  • Purpose: For visa-waiver travelers who wish to visit or transit through New Zealand.
  • Eligibility:
    • Citizens of countries that do not require a visa for New Zealand, such as the USA, EU, Canada, and Japan, but need to apply for an NZeTA.
  • Duration: Valid for 2 years for multiple visits.
  • Processing Time: Usually within 72 hours.
  • Cost: NZD 12-17 depending on the application method (via app or website).

Additional Information:

  • Visa Processing Times: Vary by visa type. For example, tourist and student visas typically take 10-20 days, while work and residency visas can take longer.
  • Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the visa type and duration. For example, a standard Visitor Visa costs around NZD 211, while the Skilled Migrant Visa can be much higher (around NZD 3,310).