New Zealand Visas

Visas > New Zealand Visas

1. Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

Applicant's must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Points are awarded for employability and capacity building factors, including skilled employment, work experience, qualifications and age. Once an applicant can claim 100 points and meets the prerequisites for health, character and English Language he/she may then lodge an EOI into the Skilled Migrant Pool. Please note that an applicant's age must be 55 years or younger, in order to apply under this category.

Once an applicant is invited to apply for residency he/she is then required to submit documents to the INZ to evidence that he/she can claim the points claimed in the EOI.

This is the most common route to permanent residence in New Zealand is through the SMC, which opened in December 2003, and which awards points for certain criteria to meet a passmark set by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Currently, if you score 140 points or over, you'll automatically be selected from the pool. However if you have obtained an offer of skilled employment and/or you are claiming points for qualifications and work experience in an occupation listed on the Long Term Skills Shortages List (LTSSL) it is likely that you will be invited to apply for residency once your EOI is lodged.

Skilled employment offers

INZ is encouraging applicants to source an acceptable skilled offer of employment in New Zealand and so be in a stronger position when it comes to applications. In order to gain points for a job offer, the job in question must be full-time, permanent and relevant to the applicant's qualification or work experience and classed as skilled pursuant to the regulations.

2. Work to Residence Categories

Work to Residence Categories grant residence subject to certain conditions being met, including a sustained period of work in a skilled occupation in New Zealand. Work to Residence policies include:

Talent Visa/Permit (Accredited Employers)
Talent Visa/Permit (Arts, Sports and Culture)
Long Term Shortages List occupations Visa/Permit

After holding a work permit for one of the above for two years, applicants are eligible for permanent residence, provided that they have met the conditions of their permit, will continue to work in New Zealand, and meet the English language, health and character requirements.

3. Long term Business Visa/Entrepreneur Category

The Long Term Business Visa (LTBV)/Entrepreneur category allows an applicant to establish a business, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business in New Zealand, for at least two years, before applying for residence through the Entrepreneur Category.

A detailed business plan must be submitted and evidence of proposed investment in New Zealand, evidence of business experience related to the proposed investment. Applicants must also show evidence of funds and most importantly evidence how the proposed investments will be of benefit to New Zealand.

4. Active Investor Category

The Active Investor category is designed to link investor migrants with New Zealand businesses and enable them to actively contribute both financial and human capital to the New Zealand economy and is divided into three categories:

Global Investors
Professional Investors
General Investors

The Government has set a cap of 1000 places under this policy (around 300 applications). This quota will be primarily filled by Global and Professional Investors, with General Investors taking the remaining places.

5. Family Categories (all permanent residency)

a) Partner - husband, wife, de-facto (common law) or civil union partner of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

This category enables partners of New Zealand citizens and residents to apply for residence in New Zealand. In order to apply under this category you must meet all policy requirements, show that you and your New Zealand sponsor are in a genuine and stable relationship and have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least the last 12 months. You must also show that your relationship meets the minimum requirements for the recognition of a partnership, evidence that your partner is an eligible sponsor and that New Zealand is your sponsors primary place of established residence at the time your application is made and assessed.

b) Parent - you have a child who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

This category enables parents (in some situations grandparents and legal guardians) to join their children in New Zealand. In order to apply under this category you must show that you meet all policy requirements, have no dependent children and all of your adult children are lawfully and permanently outside the country in which you reside, have the "centre of gravity" of your family in New Zealand, be sponsored by your New Zealand child who is eligible to sponsor you, and is able (and/or their partner is able) to meet the minimum income requirement.

c) Brother, sister or adult child - you have a brother, sister or adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

This category enables siblings and adult children to join their family in New Zealand. In order to apply under this category you must show that you meet all policy requirements and you must show you have no other immediate family living in the same country in which you are living, have an acceptable offer of employment in New Zealand and be 55 years or younger at the time the application is lodged. You must be sponsored by an adult sibling or parent who is eligible to sponsor you and has been a New Zealand resident for at least three years. You must also show that your sponsor will meet a minimum income requirement, which is intended to ensure they can support themselves and any dependants.

d) Dependent Child - you are a dependent child with a parent who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

This category enables dependent children to join their parents in New Zealand. In order to apply under this category you must show that you meet all policy requirements, your sponsor is an eligible sponsor. You may qualify if you are up to 24 years old with no children of your own, single and fully dependent on your parents for financial support.

This information was kindly provided by the Migration Associates in conjunction with Montfort International and is correct at the time of publishing, please visit their website www.migrationassociates.com for further information about their company and the services they provide or if you wish to liaise with a Migration Associate to discuss your plans to emigrate to New Zealand please email: migrationassociates@miplc.co.uk.