You may be qualified in a highly specialised or in-demand field, or have an exceptional talent in sports or the arts. You can apply for a work permit under our Work to Residence category. This category allows you to work temporarily in New Zealand as the first step towards gaining permanent residence. After two years you can apply for permanent residence.

Step 1 Quick check
You must have:

• A genuine offer of full-time, ongoing employment from a New Zealand accredited employer* with a base salary of at least NZ$50,000 per annum, or
• Sponsorship from a New Zealand arts, cultural or sporting organisation because of your reputation and ability to contribute to New Zealand’s future, or
• You must be aged 55 years or younger at the time you apply for residence and hold appropriate full or provisional registration if required to practise in that occupation.

Step 2 Start your application
Once you’re confident you want to apply, download and complete the application form for a temporary work visa and permit under the relevant policy criteria above. The spouse and family of the working partner each need to apply for separate visas.

This option is for enterprising people with a proven track record in business and the capacity to build or invest in new businesses and introduce new skills and technologies. By setting up a business or investing in New Zealand, you’re not only giving other New Zealanders work opportunities, you’re also demonstrating your financial commitment to our country. There are a number of business migration options. The most common one of these is the Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) which is detailed below:

Step 1 Quick check
You will have a business plan that demonstrates you:

• Have enough money to establish your business and make a viable contribution to the economy
• Are suitably experienced
• Have not been involved with any business failures or fraud.

Step 3 Start your application
Once you’re confident you want to apply, complete the Application for Residence in New Zealand under Business Categories PDF, and support it with the required evidence and documentation. It’s worth pointing out that residence comes through an application for an Entrepreneur Visa after the business has been running for two years. There is no age limit under this category.

We understand the importance of families and the vital role they play in giving a sense of completion and fulfilment – particularly to migrants. This option allows for immediate family to be closer by allowing a family member who is already a New Zealand citizen or resident to sponsor them.

Step 1 Quick check
Are you in one of these four groups and currently living outside New Zealand?

Partner

• Your partner is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• Been living together for a minimum of 12 months in a genuine and stable relationship, and
• Are both 18 years of age or older.

Parent

• 
  You have an adult child 17 years or older living in New Zealand as a resident/citizen for more than three years, and
• Your family’s ‘centre of gravity’ is now in New Zealand.
  

Sibling and adult child

• You are at least 17 years old
• You have a parent, brother or sister living in New Zealand, and
• You have no other siblings or parents living in the country you currently reside in, AND you have an acceptable offer of employment in New Zealand.

Dependent child

• You are the dependent child of a New Zealand citizen or resident, and
• You are aged 16 years or under, and
• You are reliant on an adult for financial support.

Everyone who comes to study in New Zealand from overseas must meet certain rules and requirements. If you are coming to New Zealand to study for more than three months, you will need a student visa or permit. In this section you can find out whether you need a visa or permit, whether you'll qualify, and what a student visa or permit will allow you to do.

The requirements for a student visa or permit
Before you apply, ensure that you understand the requirements that you need to meet, and the requirements that your course must meet.

Also see our examples to make sure you will be eligible for a visa or permit to study in New Zealand.

Complete the form
Print and complete the form Application to Study in New Zealand (NZIS 1012) PDF. Also available is the Guide for Studying in New Zealand (NZIS 1013) PDF, which will assist you in applying. If you cannot print the form and guide, they are available from your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.

If you wish to visit New Zealand for a period longer than 3 months as a tourist, you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa.

You may apply for a Visitor's Visa if:

• You are outside New Zealand and need a visa to travel to New Zealand;
• You are inside New Zealand and need to go out and then re-enter New Zealand; or
• You are a visa waiver visitor and wish to stay longer than the set time granted on arrival.

Visitor's Visas are valid for 9 months in an 18 month period. Under certain circumstances you may be eligible to extend your 9 month stay by a further 3 months.

To extend your Visitor Visa, you will have to show that during your stay:

• You have supported yourself financially, and have enough money to continue supporting yourself; and
• You have not worked, been sponsored, or held a Student Permit.

If you have already stayed in New Zealand for 9 months or more, you will need to remain out of the country for the same amount of time you visited (or longer) before you can again return as a visitor. You must also be able to meet all health and character requirements to be granted a visa for your visit to New Zealand