FAQ - Residence Questions

What categories are available under the residence category?

There are five options for residence in New Zealand:-

• Family Quota - If you want to be reunited with family members who already live in new Zealand, then you can be sponsored for residency.
• Samoan Quota - The Immigration authorities invite a certain number of Samoan citizens to become New Zealand citizens every year.
• Pacific Access Category - If you are from Fiji, Tuvalu, Tonga or Kiribati, New Zealand can offer a certain number of places for citizenship.
• Zimbabwe Residence - There is a Special Zimbabwe Residence Policy created by the Minister of Immigration which allows Zimbabwean nationals to gain residence in New Zealand.
• Other Opportunities - Other options include visiting or studying in New Zealand or becoming a Skilled Migrant.

For a more detailed look on each of these options please visit the Residence Visa/Permit for New Zealand section.

How do I apply for residence?

Do I need to be sponsored?

You will have to be sponsored by a parent, partner or adult sibling or adult child. For a more detailed look at these categories.

• Partner - Your partner must be eligible to sponsor you and be a citizen or resident of New Zealand. You need to give evidence of immigration status to date.
• Parent - Your child must be a resident or citizen of New Zealand and be eligible to sponsor you. The sponsor must have held a permit or visa or been a resident for longer than three years before your application is submitted. Your sponsor needs to give evidence of immigration status.
• Dependent Child - Your parent(s) must be residents or citizens of New Zealand before you can apply for residency in New Zealand. Your parents need to provide evidence of their residence status and be lawfully and permanently living in New Zealand.
• Brother, Sister or Adult Child - Your brother, sister or parent must be eligible to sponsor you. If you have got certain skills you may want to apply as a Skilled Migrant or you can work temporarily instead. If you are the sponsor, you must meet the requirements specified and give evidence of immigration status.

Can I change the status of my general visitor permit?

There are four options you can choose from if you want to stay longer in New Zealand. These are:-

• Study - If you have a Visitor's Permit you can only take one course of study providing the duration of the course is less than three months. You need to apply for a Student Visa/Permit if the course is longer than three months. You will also need to have been offered a place by a certified New Zealand education provider.
• Work - You can take part in business activities in new Zealand on a Visitor's Permit but if you want to work in New Zealand full time you need to apply for a work permit. You cannot start your job offer until you have been accepted by the Immigration services.
• Invest in Business - You can gain residence as an Investor, or if you want to establish a business. You can relocate your business to New Zealand, while New Zealand offers great business advantages and a good business environment. You will also need to qualify under the Investor Category.
• Buy / Set Up a Business - You can arrange business negotiations under a Visitor Permit as long as you stay no longer than three months, otherwise you need to apply for another category such as . You cannot set up a business on a Visitors Permit.

If I have a child born in New Zealand, but they are not eligible for New Zealand citizenship, what should I do?

The best thing to do is to request a statement from Immigration New Zealand to get your child's immigration status. At the time of this information, there is currently no fee for this process.

If you are going to apply for a temporary or permanent visa or permit you need to include your child in the application.

How do I qualify for an indefinite returning resident visa?

To be able to return you must have first of all been the principal applicant in the original residence application, held a residence permit at a time which was a minimum of two years before you apply, met any requirements imposed under section 18a of the Immigration Act and spent at least 184 days or more, every year in for the past two years.

The other ways that you can qualify are that you have been a resident tax payer for the past two years, you have acceptable business investments, you have established a business which has been in trading for more than twelve months or you have established a base (whether you own a home or have a full time job in New Zealand).

Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?

Some visitors will not need to apply for a visitor permit/visa, the quick-check below shows whether you need to apply for one or not. If you answer Yes to any of the questions you do not need to apply.

• Citizen of New Zealand or Australia?
• New Zealand resident with a returning resident visa or a Australian resident with permanent resident return visa?
• From a visa-free country and only visiting for no more than your allotted time of three or six months?
• Someone who has been given a special direction, a diplomat or work in a consular office, part of military personnel at Black Borch Astrometric Observatory, cruise ship passenger, aircraft crew member on a commercial aircraft, member of scientific programme or expedition under the Operation Deep Freeze?

If you do not fall under any categories in the quick-check then you need to apply for a visitor visa before you travel to New Zealand. For more details go to FAQ - Visitor Policies.