Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who is a New Zealand citizen?
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 required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Open the Permanent Resident Visa application and create or use a RealMe account when directed. Complete the form in English with details about you, your partner and any family members included, and make the required declaration.
Open the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I apply online for a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa?”
Upload your documents
Upload your photograph and clear scans of the supporting documents requested in the application.
Open the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I apply online for a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the application fee online using a payment method offered in the application.
Open the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I apply online for a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed application online. A paper application is possible only if Immigration New Zealand accepts an exception for your circumstances.
Open the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I apply online for a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application’s progress online and tell Immigration New Zealand if your circumstances change. Send any further information or documents it asks for by the deadline it gives you.
Check your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa application online?”
Follow your visa instructions
Once approved, follow Immigration New Zealand’s instructions about your passport, visa and travel. Your Permanent Resident Visa lets you live in New Zealand indefinitely.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I do after my New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Proof of your relationship
Provide evidence that you and your partner have lived together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least five years. Use dated records covering the whole period, such as shared leases, bills, mail, finances or property records; photos, support letters and messages from times apart can also help. The partnership evidence checklist gives more examples.
Partner's citizenship records
Provide the New Zealand citizenship or passport evidence requested for your partner. It must show that your partner is a New Zealand citizen.
Partner's overseas residence records
Provide official travel and residence records, and any other evidence requested, showing that your New Zealand citizen partner lived outside New Zealand for the required five years. The records need to show that your partner spent less than three months in New Zealand in each relevant 12-month period.
Birth certificates *
Provide a birth certificate for each included child to show their relationship to you. A birth certificate for a child you share with your partner can also help show your relationship.
* Only if you include a dependent child in your application.
May need translationMarriage or civil-union certificate *
Provide your marriage or civil-union certificate to show your relationship with your partner.
* Only if you are married to or in a civil union with your partner.
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
Fiancee & Spouse Visas (Enhance Visa) 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺🇨🇦
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
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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