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New Zealand Permanent VisasThere are Four Major Permanent Categories for migration. You can apply under one of four permanent residence classes:
Business MigrantsSummary of Policy
Changes for Business Migrants The objective of business immigration policy is to attract migrants who will contribute to economic growth by increasing the country's skills base, encouraging enterprise and innovation and fostering international links. Entrepreneur Category
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 | they have established a business in NZ
| the business is benefiting NZ in some way -
creating jobs, providing a new type of good or service or revitalizing an
existing business | |
Long Term Business Visa
New multiple entry business visa for up to three years and renewable after that,
for people interested in establishing a business in New Zealand who do not want
to live here permanently. This is particularly for those
who may wish, eventually, to apply for residence under the new Entrepreneur
Category. Applies from 29 March 1999
Objective
Encourage entrepreneurial business migrants and medium to long-term business
investment and give investors time to make investment decisions.
Features
Applicants will be granted a work visa for three years on the basis of a
business proposal. Applicants must have:
| a specific business proposal
| relevant skills and work experience
| sufficient capital to finance the proposal
| additional funds for personal use
| Proposals will be checked for evidence of
planning and research. | |
This is a new category for residence for investors
that replaces the Business Investor Category. Applies from 29 March 1999
Objective
To encourage investors who will actively participate in New Zealand's economic
growth and development by awarding higher points to younger people keen to take
an active role in business as well as to those with business experience and
significant funds.
Features
| streamlined application process
| senior personnel assigned to assist applicants
| points awarded for age, experience and
investment capital
| younger migrants awarded more points
| reduction in points for age offset by increasing
points for experience | |
What's Changed?
Business Investor category ends existing points factors replaced with the new points table maximum age of applicant increased from 65 years to 84 years but negative points over 65. Investment funds start at NZ$1 million, up from NZ$750,000.
Residence for employees of businesses choosing to locate in NZ. Applies from 29 March 1999
Objective
To promote NZ as a destination for relocating existing business by allowing key
staff to relocate with the business. This particularly targets people who do not
qualify under other categories.
Features
Employees of relocated businesses who do not qualify under other categories can
be granted residence on a case by case basis by the Minister.
Pre-Purchase of English
Language Training
Applicants for residence under the Business categories who do not meet the
English language skills requirements can still qualify by pre-purchasing English
language training. Applies from 30 November 1998
Objective
Attract investors and skilled business migrants by removing English language
requirements as a barrier to migration but ensuring improvements in English
language skills are achieved through pre-purchased training.
Features
applicant pre-purchases English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training
through ETSA training to be completed within three years. Applicants can
purchase ESOL training for NZ$1,700 - NZ$3,000 depending on level of training
required
What's Changed?
Abolishes NZ$20,000 English language bond and replaces it with pre-purchased
English language training.
Government is investigating the establishment of a Business Liaison Unit to
coordinate activities of business support agencies and provide a link between
these agencies and business migrants.
Objective
To ensure that business migrants make the right links in New Zealand, are able
to identify business opportunities, connect with mentors and easily access
information about the way business is done in New Zealand.
Extended visitor visas for older people of independent means who want to spend a significant proportion of their year in New Zealand.
Objective
To allow older people with sufficient personal means to migrate to New Zealand
for retirement and lifestyle reasons who will increase expenditure in New
Zealand, create external linkages and participate in local communities, possibly
through investment. Proposal under investigation.
What's Changed?
| existing points factors replaced with the new
points table
| maximum age of applicant increased from 65
years to 84 years but negative points over 65
| investment funds start at NZ$1 million, up
from NZ$750,000 | |
This is the most common category in which indented migrants apply to New Zealand. The objective of the General Skills category is to select migrants who will
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increase New Zealand's levels of human capital, enterprise and innovation; and
| foster international linkages. |
To be granted residence under the General Skills category you must score enough points at the time your application is accepted, and meet all other requirements. Immigration and Visas International can assist you in getting the proper assessment done via
Qualifications
You can be allocated points for a fully completed qualification that is
comparable to a New Zealand standard. Points are allocated according to the New
Zealand qualification to which your qualification is comparable. The comparable
New Zealand standard will be determined by the New Zealand Immigration Service.
You can only be allocated points for either one qualification, or a series of
qualifications, accepted as being comparable to one New Zealand qualification.
Partially completed qualifications will not be accepted. If you have completed
your qualification in New Zealand you will gain an additional point. A New
Zealand qualification is defined as a qualification :
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conferred by a New Zealand institution; and
| with at least half the course time undertaken by the applicant in attendance at the institution in New Zealand. |
This excludes those who have gained their qualification with Government sponsored (NZODA) scholarships. For a qualification in an occupation where professional registration is required by law in New Zealand, you must gain full registration The occupations with compulsory registration are :
Architects, Chiropractors, Clinical Dental Technicians, Dental Technicians Dentists, Dietitians, Dispensing opticians, Electricians, Electrical Service Technicians, Enrolled Nurses, Environmental Health Officers, Lawyers, Line Mechanics, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Medical Radiation Technologists, Medical Practitioners, Midwives, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers, Podiatrists, Psychologists (registration required if employed in the state services or in a licensed institution under the Mental Health Act), Real Estate Agents, Teachers in primary and secondary schools and free kindergartens, Veterinarians.
Work Experience
You can be allocated points for a sound work experience.
Offer of Employment
You can be allocated points if you have a genuine offer of employment in New
Zealand. The offer of employment must be :
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for ongoing employment by a single employer; and
| for full-time employment; and
| current at the time of application. |
The employment must be permanent, for an indefinite term, or for a term of at least 12 months with an option of further terms after that. Positions of self employment, or payment by commission and/or retainer are not acceptable. You must obtain registration if this is required by law to take up the offer of employment. If registration is not required, the employment must be relevant to the qualification for which you are allocated points.
Age
You can be allocated points for your age at the time that you lodge your
application. If you are 56 years of age or over; your application for residence
cannot be approved under the General Skills category.
SETTLEMENT FACTORS
You can be allocated points for settlement factors. Settlement factors are :
Settlement Funds : You can be allocated points for settlement funds (i.e. cash, shares, stocks and any other assets). These funds must be transfered to New Zealand before residence will be granted and they must be free of debt. You need not transfer your funds to New Zealand until your application has been approved in principle. You have six months from the date of approval in principle to transfer your funds.
You can be allocated points if the funds are owned wholly by the principal applicant or spouse, or owned jointly by the principal applicant and spouse.
Spouse's Qualifications
You can be allocated points for your spouse's fully completed qualification if
it is comparable to a New Zealand standard. The comparability rules are the same
as for the principal applicant's qualification, except that registration is not
required.
New Zealand Work Experience
You can be allocated points for work experience gained lawfully in New Zealand.
You can be allocated points for New Zealand work experience under both this
section and the Work Experience section.
Family Sponsorship
You can be allocated points for a family sponsor. Your family sponsor must be :
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a New Zealand citizen or resident and;
| a parent, brother, sister or child of the principal applicant or the principal applicant's spouse. |
If your family member undertakes to be your sponsor, they are responsible for :
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providing information and advice about settling in New Zealand and ;
| ensuring financial support and accommodation is available to you for at least your first 12 months as a resident in New Zealand. |
The objectives of the Family category are to : permit New Zealand citizens or residents to be joined by their eligible spouses, partners, parents, siblings and children; and allow New Zealand citizens or residents to sponsor family members and help them settle.
Marriage, de facto and
Homosexual Relationships
You may be granted residence if you are:
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married to and living in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident; or
| living in a genuine and stable de facto relationship of at least two years duration with a New Zealand citizen or resident; or
| living in a genuine and stable homosexual relationship of at least four years duration with a New Zealand citizen or resident. |
You and your partner may be called to an interview with the NZIS to assess if you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
If you have been in a de facto relationship of at least 18 months duration you can apply for residence but your application may be deferred until you have been in the relationship for two years. If you have been in a homosexual relationship of at least two years duration you can apply for residence but your application may be deferred until you have been in the relationship for four years.
Parent
You may be granted residence if you have an adult child 17 years or over, who is
a New Zealand citizen or resident living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand
who is prepared to sponsor you, and if you have no dependent children - all of
your adult children are living permanently outside your home country; or if you
have no dependent children - you have an equal or greater number of adult
children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand than in any other single
country, including your home country; or if you have dependent children - you
have an equal or greater number of adult children living lawfully and
permanently in New Zealand than in any other single country, including your home
country. The number of your dependent children must be the same as, or less
than, the number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New
Zealand.
Your sponsor will be responsible for : if necessary, ensuring financial support and accommodation is available to you for at least your first 12 months as a resident in New Zealand.
Sibling/Adult Child
You may apply for residence under this category if you have a New Zealand
citizen or resident parent, brother or sister who is living lawfully and
permanently in New Zealand and who is prepared to sponsor you, and you are
single (including widowed or divorced); and you have no children; and and you
have no other immediate family in your home country.
Your sponsor will be responsible for : if necessary, ensuring financial support and accommodation is available to you for at least your first 12 months as a resident in New Zealand.
Dependent Child
You may apply for residence under this section if you are aged 19 years or
younger, and you are single; and you have no children of your own; and you are
totally or substantially reliant on your parents or guardians for financial
support, whether living with them or not; and your parent(s) live lawfully and
permanently in New Zealand; and - you were born or adopted before your parents
applied for residence, and you were declared on your parents' application for
residence; or - you were born after your parents applied for residence; or - you
were adopted by your parents as a result of a New Zealand adoption or an
overseas adoption recognised under New Zealand law.
If your parents are separated or divorced, you must provide evidence that the custody or visitation rights of a parent living outside New Zealand would not be breached by you coming to New Zealand.
You may apply for residence under this category if: you or a New Zealand party are suffering serious physical harm and/or serious emotional harm; and you have a close family member who is a New Zealand citizen or resident who is prepared to sponsor you; and the only reasonable solution to the situation is the grant of residence; and it would not be contrary to the public interest to allow you to reside in New Zealand.
You are required to submit medical or psychiatric reports supporting your claim of serious physical or serious emotional harm.
Your family sponsor must be : aged 17 years or over; and either a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a New Zealand residence permit not subject to requirements under section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987; and your or your spouse's or partner's parent, adult sibling, adult child, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, grandparent or a person who has lived with and been part of your family for many years.
No matter what type of visa you seek, it is important to determine on the facts of your particular case the category of visa you should apply for. Each category has special rules which apply, all of which must be satisfied before a visa can be granted.
We have set out a brief description of some of the visas available. Visa conditions and types of visas are constantly changed and added to. It is important that you provide as much history as possible in relation to your case in order that we can assist in working out the proper visa class for your application. Based on the facts of your particular case the factors we will take into account include:
| The likelihood of success of your application.
| The cost of your application.
| The time for processing your application.
| Any special restrictions on your application and temporary entry options.
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Primary Address: Immigration and Visas
International |
Alternative
Immigration and Visas International |
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