Simple Immigration Solution

New Zealand is a stunning island country in the Pacific Ocean, with turquoise lakes, golden beaches, and exquisite forests. It’s a popular destination for expats looking for a unique lifestyle and high quality of life. In fact, the country ranks well in many areas, including income, education, and health. Plus, there are multiple pathways to becoming a permanent resident in New Zealand.
1. Do I Need to Obtain a Visa to Move to New Zealand?
If you plan on staying for a longer period of time and reside in New Zealand, you need to apply for a long-stay visa that leads to residence. If you are visiting New Zealand for short trips, there is a likelihood that you will not need a visa— this depends on your country of residence make sure to check with the corresponding embassy/consulate.
2. Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Move to New Zealand?
US citizens who are traveling to New Zealand for a more extended period of time (over 3 months) will need to obtain a visa to be allowed to stay in the country. They do not need a visa only if they are staying for a short period of time. In this case, they can enter New Zealand with NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
However, for longer stays US citizens need to apply for the appropriate long-stay visa.
3. How Do I Move to New Zealand?
Here is how you can move to New Zealand for a period extending three months:
– Moving to New Zealand to work.
– Moving to New Zealand to study.
– Moving to New Zealand for family reunification.
– Moving to New Zealand to invest.
– Moving to New Zealand for retirement.
Anyone wishing to move to New Zealand permanently will need to get a resident visa. As mentioned above, there are many different ways how you can obtain a long-term resident visa in New Zealand, depending on why you’re moving to the country.
This does not apply to New Zealand citizens or Australian citizens.
Moving to New Zealand to Work
To be allowed to live in New Zealand indefinitely or for a period longer than 12 months (one year), you need to apply for a work visa. New Zealand issues over 80 different types of visas that allow you to work in New Zealand.
Some work visas lead to immediate residency, entitling you to live, study and work in New Zealand indefinitely. However, to be eligible for these types of visas, you must have the skills, experience, and qualifications needed for the New Zealand workforce.
You can apply online for most New Zealand work visas by setting up a New Zealand Government RealMe account. For some work visas, you need to apply in person— make sure to check with the immigration office before you apply.
Once you obtain your work visa, you should apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue. You will then give the number to your employer after starting work and use it for all your New Zealand tax matters.
Moving to New Zealand to Study
If you want to move to New Zealand to pursue your studies for longer than three months, you will need a student visa. To be eligible for a student visa, you need to be admitted into a New Zealand educational institution. The study program you can study depends on what the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has approved.
You can apply online on the Government’s official immigration website or at the New Zealand embassy or consulate in your home country.
Usually, you can work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time over holidays. Additionally, you can bring your close family members with you (spouse and children). But, keep in mind that not every study visa allows you to work or bring your family members with you to New Zealand. Therefore, it is recommended that you check prior to choosing your study visa type.
Moving to New Zealand for Family Reunification
Non-citizens who want to bring or join family members in New Zealand can do so by applying for a New Zealand family visa.
The family members eligible to join you in New Zealand are:
– Spouse.
– Parents.
– Children (biological or adopted).
– Dependent children aged 24 years and under.
– Grandparents (grandmother and grandfather).
The type of visa you need to apply for depends on your relationship with the person residing in New Zealand.
Moving to New Zealand to Invest
New Zealand has a range of investment visas that allow you to live there permanently by investing in the country. These investment visas are issued to wealthy individuals with the necessary financial means to make investments in New Zealand. To be eligible for an investment visa, you must meet the financial requirements. The financial criteria change depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
Most investment visas allow you to live indefinitely in New Zealand but some may have a limited validity period. This is why you should always check the conditions of your visa carefully before submitting your application.
Moving to New Zealand for Retirement
If you want to move to New Zealand to continue your retirement, you will need to apply for a New Zealand retirement visa. New Zealand offers two retirement pathways for anyone wishing to retire in the country. However, to be eligible for a retirement visa in New Zealand, you must meet the retirement criteria, including not having any dependent children. As such, if you have any dependent children, you will not be eligible for a retirement visa.
To retire in New Zealand, you can apply for one of the following retirement visas:
• New Zealand Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa– if you are over the age of 66 years and have NZD $750,000 to invest in New Zealand.
• New Zealand Parent Resident Retirement Visa– if you have a child who is a citizen or resident of New Zealand and meets the investment criteria.
The applications for retirement visas vary depending on the type of retirement visa you are applying for.
4. How Long Do I Need to Live in New Zealand to Win Citizenship?
To obtain citizenship in New Zealand as a foreigner, you must have lived in the country a minimum of 5 years under a resident visa. During these five years, you must have been physically present in New Zealand for at least 1350 days, with at least 240 days in each of those years. Additionally you must be proficient in the English language, and have a clear criminal record. Please note that if you meet the citizenship criteria, you can apply for citizenship by naturalization in New Zealand. The application can be completed online, in person, or by post.
Other ways you can obtain citizenship in New Zealand include:
– Citizenship by birth:
• If you were born in New Zealand before January 1, 2006
– Citizenship by descent:
• If you were born overseas and have a parent who was a citizen of New Zealand by birth or grant at the time you were born
5. Does New Zealand Allow Dual Citizenship?
New Zealand allows dual citizenship or multiple citizenship. But, many countries do not recognize dual citizenship; therefore, if you come from a country that does not allow dual citizenship, you must choose which citizenship you want to renounce and which one you want to keep. However, if you want to become a citizen of a country that does not allow dual citizenship, you can give up your New Zealand citizenship anytime.
You can keep both citizenships if you come from a country that allows dual citizenship.
6. Can I Lose My New Zealand Citizenship?
Yes, the Minister of Internal Affairs can take away your New Zealand citizenship. This means that once you lose your New Zealand citizenship, you will no longer be able to use the New Zealand passport and might be required to leave the country.
The Minister of Internal Affairs can revoke your citizenship for different reasons depending on how you acquired your New Zealand citizenship. For example, if you got your New Zealand by grant, you can lose your citizenship if:
• You got citizenship in another country and voluntarily acted against the interests of New Zealand.
• You acquired your New Zealand citizenship by committing fraud, hiding or presenting false information, etc.
7. Can My Children Have Dual Citizenship in New Zealand?
Your children can have dual citizenship in New Zealand; however, this depends on the other country’s (your home country) rules. For example, if your home country allows dual citizenship, your child can keep the other country’s citizenship and New Zealand citizenship.
But, if you come from a country that does not allow dual citizenship and your child is born in New Zealand, they need to wait until they reach the age of 18 to give up their New Zealand citizenship and become citizens of your home country.
Your child is considered a citizen of New Zealand automatically if:
• They are born in New Zealand.
• At least one of the parents was a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand at the time of birth.