Getting a Permanent Residency in New Zealand is a dream for many foreign nationals. To achieve this, you must have a New Zealand Residence visa and have stayed in the country for over two years. This status qualifies you to apply for a Permanent Resident visa (Residence Permit), allowing you to stay indefinitely. This visa also unlocks access to a wide range of social benefits. Aside from staying legally in NZ for two years, many other factors contribute to the eligibility criteria for a permanent resident visa. Also, some guidelines are unique to certain groups of people. Let’s explore the guidelines for the best legal pathways leading to permanent residency in New Zealand.Â
What it Means to Get Permanent Residency in New Zealand
A temporary eligible visa allows you to travel in and out of NZ with specific conditions associated with the visa category. Also, the type of visa dictates the eligibility criteria, travel conditions, and duration of your entry permission. Temporary visa holders have limited options of jobs, schools, and courses to partake in. Meanwhile, New Zealand permanent residency allows you to work, study, and live in the country indefinitely. With access to all schools, job opportunities, and social benefits. You also get access to visit many countries in Australia and Europe visa-free.
Aside from these basic benefits, you also enjoy the following:
1. As a permanent resident in NZ, you can include your partner and dependent children (under 25 years old) in your visa application. This is only applicable when you included them in your original residence application.
2. You can enjoy sponsored medical services along with social security benefits.
3. Your children can attend public tuition-free schools and universities like citizens.
4. You can register and vote in elections after one year of residency.
5. Your children born in the country automatically become citizens of New Zealand by birth.
How to Get Permanent Residency in New Zealand
Immigrants can only get permanent residency after staying in the country with a temporary residency visa for at least two years. Only in rare cases can immigrants apply directly for permanent residency in New Zealand. For instance, the valid travel conditions are different for Australian citizens.
To be eligible for NZ permanent residency, your stay in the country must be under certain conditions. The temporary visas and channels that let you stay in the country beyond six months are discussed under New Zealand immigration. To be eligible for NZ permanent residency, your stay in the country must be under certain conditions. Let’s find out the primary eligibility conditions.Â
Primary Permanent Residency Eligibility Requirements
During your stay in NZ, prior to applying for a permanent resident visa, you must adhere to these basic requirements;
1. You must pass the character requirements (adhere to regulations and policies with no criminal record).
2. You must have held one visa in the last three months or hold one currently.Â
3. Every visa has limitations; you must live within the boundaries of your current visa.
4. Your first resident visa must have been obtained for at least two years.
5. You must prove that you plan to settle in New Zealand permanently.
Requirements for Non-Principal Applicants
Furthermore, applicants can include dependents in their applications. The eligible dependents are spouses, children, and legal wards (children and wards should be aged 24 and below). In immigration terms, the applicant is the ‘Main/Principal Applicant’ while the dependents are referred to as ‘Non-Principal Applicants’. Non-Principal Applicants can become permanent residents even when their main applicants have not been granted yet. This can happen when:
1. You are separated or divorced from your main applicant.
2. You have a restriction order against the principal applicant.
3. Your main applicant gets convicted of a crime against you or a dependent child.
4. The main applicant dies or becomes a New Zealand citizen.
6. Your main applicant died in the Christchurch terrorist attacks on 15th March 2019.
7. You were granted a resident visa or permit before 30 October 1995.
The New Zealand Permanent Residency Application Process
The step-by-step guide below will help you simplify the application process. Let’s get started…
1. Pick up and Complete the New Zealand permanent resident visa application form from the official Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website. This Resident or Former Resident Visa Holder (INZ 1175) also serves when applying for a subsequent Resident visa or variation of travel conditions on a resident visa. The forms must be completed in English with capital letters and then printed.Â
2. Attach two portrait photos of yourself that meet the NZ photo requirements. They must have been taken no more than three months ago.
3. Gather all the required documents for a Permanent Resident visa and prepare them for submission. The documents prove that you are eligible for the visa and vary based on eligibility criteria.
4. Book and attend your visa appointment. You will receive a confirmation email when you book the appointment. When you attend the appointment, you must submit the required documents. The visa application center where you applied will send your application to Immigration New Zealand for processing. Your visa application center can be in your home country or in NZ.
5. Pay the required fees via appropriate channels to avoid loss of money. You can pay online using a credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or via a bank transfer. The Immigration Cost, VAC Service Fee, and (if applicable) courier fee should be included in one payment. Also, Payment can be made at the time of your appointment.
6. Fill out the section L on your application form, where you provide your credit/debit card details.
7. After submitting all required documents, wait for a decision. You will receive information on your visa application after it gets processed. The decision will be sent to you via email.
The Processing Time for a Permanent Resident Visa Application
The New Zealand Residence Permit is usually processed within three or five months. However, most of the applications are processed within five months. Once you obtain the Residence Permit, you must transfer it to a new valid passport before you can travel if your passport has expired. To transfer your visa, you must Send your old and new passports, Submit a completed ‘Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa’, and Pay the stipulated transfer fee.
Documents Required for an NZ Permanent Resident Visa
The New Zealand immigration authorities require every applicant to submit the following documents with their application,
1. Travel passport and optional certificate of identity. You can submit your original passports or photocopies as required.
2. Recent portrait photographs of yourself not older than three months.
3. Your current resident visa as proof that you meet the time commitment requirements. You must have stayed in the country for at least 184 days in each of the last two years.
4. Police certificate showing that you have no criminal records.
5. Evidence that you fulfilled the conditions of your current visa. For instance, bank documents for immigrants who got in via the business visa programs.
6. Proof that you have New Zealand tax resident status associated with your eligible visa type.
New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa Application Fees
The New Zealand Permanent Resident visa attracts an application fee. It ranges between $220 and $260. You also have to pay a Visa application centre fee that costs $17 to $77 and a courier fee ranging between $13 and $100. All fees are paid in NZD.Â
Additionally, You can include your partner and dependent children in your resident visa application. The good part is that they don’t have to complete application forms or pay fees separately. However, your children over 24 must apply and pay separately. Moreover, If you were affected by the 2019 Christchurch attack in any way, you do not have to pay any fees.
How to Get Permanent Residency in New Zealand Without a Resident Visa
In special cases, permanent residency can be granted to immigrants without a resident visa. The recipient must be one of the following:
1. A refugee and protected person.
2. Successful applicant (with an offer letter from an Accredited Employer) under the Talent Residence from Work Category who meets a particular income threshold.
3. A spouse of a New Zealand citizen (legally married for over five years) who has been abroad for more than five years.
Conclusion
The New Zealand permanent residency visa selection process is fair. NZ immigration authorities have set up guidelines for immigrants to follow. These policies are to protect both applicants and citizens from exploitation and fraud. We did the heavy lifting to bring you all you need to know about permanent residency in New Zealand. This is to help our readers evaluate their eligibility and bolster the chances of a successful application.
