Apply For A New Zealand Residence Visa

Key Considerations:

• Eligibility requires current employment with an accredited employer or a confirmed job offer.
• You have the option to either initiate your journey on a work visa within New Zealand and subsequently apply for the Straight to Residence Visa, or alternatively, submit your application from outside the country.
• It is imperative to provide English translations for any supporting documentation in languages other than English as part of your application process.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

The SMC Resident Visa is for individuals possessing the skills essential for New Zealand’s economic advancement. This particular visa affords the privilege of indefinite residence in the country. Those seeking to operate their own business are advised to explore the Entrepreneur Resident Visa option.

To initiate the application process under the migrant category, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in which you should highlight your professional background and qualifications. The selection of applications is followed by a points-based framework to assess expressions of interest.

Preference is given to EOIs with a point total of 180 or higher. Notably, this visa classification is not applicable to self-employed individuals. Effective October 9, 2023, revisions will be implemented in the migrant visa criteria. This particular visa affords the privilege of indefinite residence in the country.

Pacific Access Category Resident Visa

If you are a citizen of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, or Fiji, you have the opportunity to participate in a registration ballot under the pacific access category. Successful selection from the ballot could lead to an invitation to apply for New Zealand residence.

This visa allows you to reside, work, and pursue studies in New Zealand, along with the option to include your partner and dependent children aged 24 and under in your residence application, provided they were initially included in your ballot registration.

The visa quotas for the 2022 and 2023 ballots include 150 Kiribati citizens, 150 Tuvaluan citizens, 500 Tongan citizens, and 500 Fijian citizens.

Straight to Residence Visa

If you have an offer letter from an INZ accredited employer or have been working for one for a long time and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List, you can apply for a residence visa. You can also sponsor your partner and dependent children in your application. Your dependent children must be single and are financially dependent on you.

Dependent Child Resident Visa

For New Zealand citizens or residents, the opportunity exists to reunite with their children by bringing them to reside within New Zealand. Depending on their age and circumstances, they may also pursue educational or occupational undertakings locally.

Entrepreneur Resident Visa

This visa category is suitable for individuals who have maintained a self-employed status within New Zealand for a minimum of 6 months, or those who have successfully operated a self-employed business for a period of 2 years, make a capital investment of at least NZ $500,000, and contribute to the creation of 3 new job positions in New Zealand.

Eligibility For Residence Class Visa Holder

In New Zealand, being a Residence Class Visa holder denotes more than simply your legal standing; it’s an invitation to immerse oneself in a universe of opportunities. This visa gives you the freedom to call this fascinating country home. Your journey as a holder of a Residence Class Visa is sure to be an enriching and gratifying experience because you will have access to education, healthcare, and a high standard of life.

Depending on the particular category or stream under which you are applying, there may be variations in the requirements for obtaining a Residence Class Visa in New Zealand. However, a few standard requirements are as follows:

• Eligibility Category
• Good health and Character
• Age (for some categories)
• Proofs of identity and relationship
• Employment or investment documents
• English language proficiency
• Finances to cover you
• Sponsorship
• Expression of interest EOI

Criteria Demonstrating Dedication to New Zealand

These are the criteria for showing your commitment to New Zealand:

• You have accumulated a sufficient duration of stay within the country.
• As a resident, you have resided in New Zealand for a minimum of 184 days in each of the two 12-month segments during the 24 months immediately preceding your application for a permanent resident visa.
• No additional documentation is required apart from your passport.

Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a residence visa varies from case to case. However, in the majority of cases, the time period is between 1 and 3 months.

It’s important to remember that the immigration rules may change and that the particular requirements for each of the residence categories can differ significantly. Depending on your unique circumstances and the category you are interested in, it is advised to speak with us for the most accurate and current information regarding residency in NZ.

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