Visa Types — New Zealand

Major New Zealand Visa Categories

*Note: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) policies, fees, and processing times change frequently. Always verify current details at immigration.govt.nz before making decisions. USD conversions are approximate (using ~0.60 USD per 1 NZD) and fluctuate with exchange rates.*

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa

Who it's for: Skilled workers seeking permanent residence based on qualifications, work experience, and job offers in New Zealand.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted through points-based system
• Points awarded for age (under 55), skilled employment, qualifications, and work experience
• Must meet health and character requirements
• English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 average or equivalent)
• Job offer or current skilled employment in NZ often required for strong applications

Processing Time: 6-12 months (varies based on complexity and verification needs)

Cost:

• EOI submission: NZD $530
• Resident visa application: NZD $4,290 (approx.)
• USD equivalent: ~$320 (EOI) + ~$2,570 (application)

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Work to Residence – Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Who it's for: Skilled workers with a job offer from an NZ-accredited employer.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Job offer from INZ-accredited employer
• Role must meet minimum wage thresholds (median wage or above, depending on category)
• Relevant qualifications/experience for the role
• Health and character checks
• Employer must have completed accreditation and job check processes

Processing Time: 15-20 working days (post-accreditation and job check approval)

Cost:

• Visa application: NZD $700-$750
• USD equivalent: ~$420-$450
• (Additional employer accreditation and job check fees apply separately, paid by employer)

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Essential Skills Work Visa (Legacy - Being Phased Out)

Who it's for: Historically for temporary skilled/semi-skilled workers; largely replaced by AEWV since 2022.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Job offer meeting skill/wage thresholds
• Labour market test (in some cases)
• Relevant experience/qualifications

Processing Time: N/A – largely discontinued for new applications

Cost: N/A (superseded by AEWV)

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Skilled Migrant Category Work Visa – Green List (Straight to Residence)

Who it's for: Highly sought-after occupations on New Zealand's "Green List" (e.g., healthcare professionals, engineers, IT specialists).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Occupation must be on the Tier 1 Green List
• Relevant qualifications and registration (if required for profession)
• Job offer meeting pay thresholds
• Health and character requirements

Processing Time: 4-6 months for residence pathway

Cost:

• Resident visa application: NZD $4,290 (approx.)
• USD equivalent: ~$2,570

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Investor Visa (Investor 1 & Investor 2 Categories)

Who it's for: High-net-worth individuals seeking residence through investment in the NZ economy.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

*Investor 1 (Higher tier):*

• Minimum investment: NZD $10 million over 3 years
• No English language requirement
• No age limit
• Acceptable investment sectors only

*Investor 2:*

• Minimum investment: NZD $3 million over 4 years
• Age limit: 65 years or under
• English language requirement (IELTS 3 or equivalent)
• 3 years of business experience
• Points-based system for eligibility

Processing Time: 4-8 months

Cost:

• Application fee: NZD $9,180-$32,000 (varies by category and complexity)
• USD equivalent: ~$5,500-$19,200

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Entrepreneur Work Visa / Entrepreneur Resident Visa

Who it's for: Individuals looking to establish or buy a business in New Zealand.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Detailed business plan
• Minimum investment: NZD $100,000 (for most businesses)
• Points-based assessment (business experience, qualifications, job creation)
• English language proficiency
• Health and character requirements
• Must show business will benefit NZ economy

Processing Time:

• Work visa: 4-6 months
• Resident visa (after 2 years operating business successfully): 3-6 months

Cost:

• Entrepreneur Work Visa: NZD $780
• Entrepreneur Resident Visa: NZD $4,290
• USD equivalent: ~$470 (work visa) + ~$2,570 (resident visa)

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Partnership/Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

Who it's for: Partners (spouses, civil union, or de facto partners) of New Zealand citizens or residents.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Genuine and stable partnership (typically 12+ months living together)
• Partner must be NZ citizen or resident
• Evidence of relationship (joint finances, cohabitation, etc.)
• Health and character requirements
• Sponsorship by NZ partner

Processing Time: 8-12 months (can vary significantly)

Cost:

• Application fee: NZD $2,750 (approx.)
• USD equivalent: ~$1,650

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Parent Resident Visa

Who it's for: Parents of NZ citizens or residents seeking to join family in NZ permanently.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Adult child must be NZ citizen/resident, meeting income threshold requirements
• Sponsor must guarantee support
• Health and character requirements
• Currently subject to periodic pauses/caps due to high demand (verify current status)

Processing Time: Historically 12-36+ months due to category caps and queues

Cost:

• Application fee: NZD $4,290 (approx.)
• USD equivalent: ~$2,570

*Note: This category has faced suspensions and cap limits in recent years—confirm current availability.*

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Visitor Visa

Who it's for: Tourists, those visiting family, or short-term visitors (not for immigration but often a preliminary step).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of sufficient funds
• Return ticket or onward travel evidence
• Genuine intention to visit temporarily
• Health and character requirements (for longer stays)

Processing Time: 3-4 weeks (standard); faster for some nationalities via NZeTA

Cost:

• Standard visitor visa: NZD $211-$341 (varies by application method/country)
• NZeTA (for visa-waiver countries): NZD $17-$23
• USD equivalent: ~$127-$205 (visa) or ~$10-$14 (NZeTA)

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Student Visa

Who it's for: International students enrolled in NZ educational institutions (pathway to work/residence visas post-study).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Offer of place from accredited NZ institution
• Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living costs
• Health and character requirements
• Genuine intention to study

Processing Time: 4-8 weeks

Cost:

• Application fee: NZD $375-$750 (varies by application location)
• USD equivalent: ~$225-$450

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Post-Study Work Visa

Who it's for: International graduates from NZ institutions seeking work experience post-graduation.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Completed qualification at NZ institution (Level 7 or above typically required for longer visa)
• Study must meet duration and location requirements
• Health and character requirements

Processing Time: 4-6 weeks

Cost:

• Application fee: NZD $700 (approx.)
• USD equivalent: ~$420

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Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Visa

Who it's for: Pacific Island workers for seasonal horticulture/viticulture work.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Job offer from RSE-accredited employer
• From eligible Pacific nations
• Health and character requirements
• Seasonal work contract (up to 7 months, or 9 months for some nationalities)

Processing Time: 2-4 weeks

Cost:

• Application fee: NZD $210 (approx.)
• USD equivalent: ~$125

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Key Recommendations

• Verify current fees and processing times at the official Immigration New Zealand website (immigration.govt.nz), as these change regularly
• Check Green List updates as occupations are added/removed periodically, affecting straight-to-residence eligibility
• Monitor category caps especially for Parent and family sponsorship categories, which face periodic suspensions
• Consult a licensed immigration adviser (NZ requires advisers to be licensed) for complex cases or before making financial commitments
• Exchange rates fluctuate—always calculate USD equivalents using current rates for financial planning

More about immigrating to New Zealand