Main Residence Visa Categories
- PR SMC
- Entrepreneur Visa
- Investment Visa
- Partnership (Marriage, De factor relationship, Civil Union
PR SMC
Starting from 29 September 2023, eligible migrants who have a minimum of two years experience working in New Zealand are able to apply for Residence visas through the Green List and the Sector Agreement Work to Residence pathways (subject to skill and wage requirements). Standard residence criteria including health, character, English and age apply.
Three Pathways for Skilled Residence:
- Green List Work to Residence Visa
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- Transport Sector Work to Residence
Green List Criteria:
Green list applicants need to earn occupation-specific median wages during the 24 months of employment. There is no requirement to match new thresholds unless there is a change in employment.
Median Wage Exemption:
Green List applicants who applied before 29 September 2023 would have only had to be earning median wage in order to be able to apply.
Sector Agreement Criteria:
Care Workforce and Transport Sector applicants must meet the pay requirements throughout their 24 months of work experience in New Zealand.
Entrepreneur Visa
Entrepreneur Work Visa
If you’re an experienced business person and you want to work in your own business in New Zealand. If you’re granted this visa, you can buy or set up a business in New Zealand, which you can do either without living here permanently or as a first step towards New Zealand residence.
Requirements:
- You must make a capital investment of at least NZ$100,000. If your business is in the science or ICT sectors, or shows a high level of innovation or export potential, we may be able to waive this requirement.
- You must score at least 120 points on our Entrepreneur Work Visa points scale.
- You must provide a business plan for the business you intend to buy or set up in New Zealand.
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
If you’re already in New Zealand on an Entrepreneur Work Visa or another visa that allows self-employment, and you want to live in New Zealand on a permanent basis. If you’re granted this visa, you’ll be able to continue operating your business in New Zealand and stay here indefinitely.
Requirements:
- You must have been self-employed for at least 6 months.
- If you’re applying after less than 2 years of being self-employed, you’ll need to have invested capital of at least NZ $500,000 and have created 3 new jobs in New Zealand.
Investment Visa
Investor Category 1 ( Investor Plus )
Requirements:
- Investment Capital – Investment of NZ$10 Million or more for 3 years in NZ
- Business Experience – None
- English Language – None
- Age – None
Investor Category 2
Requirements:
- Investment Capital – Minimum investment of NZ$3 million for 4 years
- Business Experience – Minimum experience of 3 years
- English Language – IELTS 3
- Age – up to 65 years old