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IF YOU wish to migrate to New Zealand, you need to apply to the New Zealand Immigration Service for resident status.
Resident status in New Zealand entitles you to live, study and work indefinitely in New Zealand.
When you are approved residence, you will be issued a Residence Visa if you apply outside New Zealand or a Residence Permit if you apply in New Zealand.
Residence
Visa
A Residence Visa is normally valid for one year and is for a single entry. You must use this visa before its expiry in order to activate your resident status. This visa allows you to travel to New Zealand and be granted a Residence Permit on arrival.
Residence
Permit
A Residence Permit allows you to reside in New Zealand for an indefinite period. However, this permit will expire once you leave New Zealand.
If you wish to leave New Zealand temporarily after taking up residence, you must have a valid Returning Residence Visa in your passport to ensure your re-entry into New Zealand. You will be issued your first Returning Resident's Visa when residence is approved.
Settlement
Fees
Once your residence application is approved in principle, you may be required to pay a settlement information fee and a migrant levy.
* Settlement Information Fee
* Migrant Levy
If these fees are payable, they must be paid before your residence visa is issued or residence permit is granted.
A settlement information fee of NZ$90 applies to all successful principal or sole applicants whose residence application is approved.
A MIGRANT LEVY of NZ$235 for each person (up to a maximum of NZ$940 per application) applies to all successful principal applicants and accompanying family members under the following categories:
* General Skills; and
* Business Investor; and
* Entrepreneur; and
* Employees of Relocating Businesses.
Under the Family category, a migrant levy of NZ$125 for each person (up to a maximum of NZ$500 per application) applies to all successful principal applicants and accompanying family members.
Sufficient
Resources
You are expected to have sufficient personal resources to maintain yourself and your dependants for the first 24 months as a resident in New Zealand.
When applying for residence in New Zealand, it is a requirement to declare in your residence application form (Section E) that you have these personal resources for the first 24 months of your stay in New Zealand.
The content of this declaration will be made available to Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) should you apply for an emergency benefit.
Citizenship
Enquiries
In New Zealand, residence and citizenship are different. If you are granted residence, you retain your original citizenship. However, you may apply for New Zealand citizenship later.
The New Zealand Immigration Service does not administer citizenship law.
Enquiries about New Zealand citizenship and passports should be addressed to the Department of Internal Affairs or the appropriate section of a New Zealand Diplomatic and Consular Office.

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