New Zealand has always been a popular place for people to visit. Whether you’re looking to move for work, life, or study New Zealand has a range of visas available.
If you’re a short-term visitor to New Zealand, you may need to apply for a travel visa. You can’t work on this visa and must prove you are only a temporary visitor by booking a return flight. You’ll also need to prove you have enough funds to support yourself. Some visitor visas let you study for up to 3 months.
Passport holders from 61 countries don’t require a visa to move to New Zealand but must have an NZeTA (New Zealand electronic travel authority). Check the NZ Immigration website to see if your country requires a visa.
Working holiday visas are popular with young people looking to move to New Zealand. Most of the time, working holiday visas require applicants to be aged between 18 and 30. However, some visas are available for people aged 18 to 35. Working holiday visas allow you to work and travel for up to 12 months. UK and Canada Working visas are valid for 23 months. Some things to know before you apply:
If you’re moving to New Zealand for business, you can apply for a three-month visa to cover your time there. Visitors from wavier countries don’t need to apply for a short-term business visa, but they will need a valid NZeTA.
If you want to move to New Zealand for over three months, you’ll need to apply for a work visa.
New Zealand is a popular destination for international students seeking full-time tertiary study. Any student planning to study for more than three months must apply for a student visa.
There are many different types of student visas, and the approval of your application will depend on what country you are from and how long you are studying. These visas are valid for up to four years. Some options for moving to New Zealand on a study visa include:
Fee Paying Student Visas: You’ll need to pay the total cost of your tuition and have an offer from an approved education provider. These are schools or universities approved by the Ministry of Education or NZ Qualifications Authority. Most universities and polytechnics qualify as approved providers.
Exchange Student Visas: To apply, you must be approved for a place in a student exchange programme and have been studying for more than three months.
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa: To apply, you must prove that a foreign government loan or scholarship will pay your tuition fees. You must also have an offer or confirmation of enrolment from an approved education provider in New Zealand.
Resident visas are very popular, and since COVID-19, the approval process for Skilled Migrant Resident Visas has been very slow. Skilled migrant visas are issued based on a points system, and even applicants with high points are waiting a long time for a New Zealand resident visa.
A faster way to gain residence in New Zealand is applying for residency as the partner or family member of a New Zealand permanent resident or citizen. Additional resident visas include:
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa
Parent Retirement Resident Visa
Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
Dependent Child Resident Visa
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa
Permanent Resident Visa
Religious Worker Resident Visa
Parent Resident Visa
Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
There are many more types of visas available. For the complete list of visas, see the Immigration New Zealand website.
If you’re not eligible for a working holiday visa, you may be able to move to New Zealand on a work visa. In general, you’ll need a job offer from a New Zealand business, or your skills will need to be in demand and benefit New Zealand.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa: If you have a job offer, you may be eligible for the Accredited Employer Work Visa. This visa is temporary and lasts for up to three years.
Talent Work Visas: If you have exceptional talent in the arts, sporting or cultural fields and are supported by a nationally recognised organisation, this is the visa for you.
Whether you’re moving for work, play or study, there’s a visa type to suit almost everyone. While we can’t help you sort your visa, Wise Move can help you move into your new home. See us for affordable moving options.
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