Eligibility quiz
Have you had a New Zealand resident visa for at least 2 years, counting from your first arrival on it if it was issued outside New Zealand?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in New Zealand for life
You can live in New Zealand indefinitely, as long as you meet any conditions on your visa.
Study in New Zealand
You can study in New Zealand without an immigration restriction.
Work in New Zealand
You can work for any employer and in any occupation.
Travel and return
A resident visa lets you leave and return while its travel conditions are valid.
A permanent resident visa lets you return at any time, without renewing travel conditions.
Support family applications
You can generally support a qualifying partner's application to live in New Zealand.
You can also support a dependent child's application; children are generally single and under 25, with extra rules for older children.
Each family member needs their own visa, and approval is not automatic.
Vote in elections
You can vote in elections if you meet the residence and other eligibility rules and are enrolled.
Use public healthcare
You are eligible for publicly funded healthcare and disability services.
These include relevant doctor, hospital, accident, maternity, prescription and disability services.
Individual services can have medical, funding or enrolment rules.
Get government support
You may qualify for government support, including Jobseeker Support, Student Allowance, Working for Families or NZ Superannuation.
Each payment has its own rules, including residence, income or age requirements, and some require time lived in New Zealand.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your online application.
See required documentsFill in your application
You can apply from inside or outside New Zealand. Create or sign in to a RealMe account, then fill in the Permanent Resident Visa application in English and upload your documents.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa?”
Submit your application
Pay the application fee during online submission, then submit your application. Paper applications are accepted only in special circumstances.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa application online?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application online while Immigration New Zealand makes its decision. Respond if it asks for more documents, a medical examination or an interview.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa application?”
Receive your visa
Follow Immigration New Zealand’s instructions to have your visa issued or linked to your passport. You can then live in New Zealand permanently and travel in and out without travel-expiry conditions.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa after approval?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Copy of your passport or ID
Provide a copy of your passport or other identity or travel document. Include the documents requested for any family members included in your application.
Visa photographs
Provide the required visa photograph. Include photographs for any family members included in your application if requested.
Resident visa evidence
Provide evidence of your current or former New Zealand resident visa and that you met its conditions. Immigration New Zealand also uses its own immigration and travel records, including when you use time spent in New Zealand to show your commitment.
Application form
Complete the Permanent Resident Visa application form in English, including the declaration and details of any eligible family members included. You normally need to have held your own New Zealand resident visa for at least two years; your partner’s residence alone is not enough. You do not need partnership evidence just because your partner lives in New Zealand.
Investment evidence *
Provide records showing your investment’s value and ownership. These can include bank records, property deeds or reports, share certificates, business ownership documents or valuation reports.
* Only if you use an investment to show your commitment to New Zealand.
May need translationTax residence evidence *
Provide a statement from Inland Revenue or a completed Confirmation of Tax Resident Status form. If you use the form, make sure Inland Revenue has completed its section.
* Only if you use tax residence to show your commitment to New Zealand.
Police certificates *
Provide police certificates for you and any family members who are asked for them. Follow the application’s instructions on which certificates to supply.
* Only if Immigration New Zealand requires them.
May need translationMedical evidence *
Provide the medical evidence requested for you or any family members included in your application. Immigration New Zealand may ask for it after you submit the application.
* Only if Immigration New Zealand requires it.
May need translationBusiness evidence *
Provide your latest business accounts, certified by a New Zealand chartered accountant. Include any other business evidence Immigration New Zealand asks for.
* Only if you use a business to show your commitment to New Zealand.
May need translationEstablished base evidence *
Provide evidence of your home ownership or work, as applicable. This can include a house deed, employment agreement, payslips, employer confirmation or documents showing self-employment or business involvement.
* Only if you use an established base to show your commitment to New Zealand.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Visa conditions
You must follow any conditions on your visa; breaking them can affect your immigration status or ability to get permanent residence.
Conditions can be added or changed, but a permanent resident visa has no visa conditions.
Residence can be lost
If you are outside New Zealand after your resident visa's travel expiry date, you cannot return on that visa.
Your visa can also be cancelled, or you can be deported for reasons including qualifying criminal convictions or fraud.
A permanent resident visa has no travel expiry date.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
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English Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas
Join on FacebookNew Zealand Visas - Study, Work, Partnership Etc.
English Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas
Join on FacebookFree Immigration Advise & Help Center for NZ Work, Residence & Partner Visa
Facebook group for people living in New Zealand interested in New Zealander visas (English, Malayalam, & Tamil)
Join on FacebookConsultation
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