New Zealand Immigration

New Zealand welcomes applications from people wishing to come here, whether it is to visit, study, work or live. New Zealand needs people who are 'keen to make a go of it', people with qualifications and experience, who would not be a drain on our resources.

It will cost you money to process your application for residency, and unfortunately if you find that you have not been successful, you will not receive a rebate of the fees you have paid. If after having assessed your points you wish to proceed further, go to your nearest immigration office and apply for a residency permit. Remember, you then have to go through their assessment. Do not make any serious plans to move until you have received your residency permit.

There are many New Zealand Immigration Offices around the world where expert help and information can be received, and the necessary application forms applied for.

Policy in the temporary field has been aimed at facilitating the entry of tourists and business visitors, and New Zealand has arrangements for visa-free entry for citizens of over 25 countries.

If, on the other hand, you are not from a visa-waiver country, or if:

• you want to study
• you want to work at a job you have already arranged
• you are sponsored for a visit by a relative or friend in New Zealand
• you want to get medical treatment

then you will need to apply for a visa. Three months is the standard period for a visit to New Zealand for visitors from both visa-waiver and visa-required countries.

If you wish to extend your visit, you must demonstrate viable means of support or other good reasons, before a further three month permit will be granted. British citizens only can receive a six months' permit on arrival. You may also apply for a further visitor's permit if there are good reasons why you cannot leave New Zealand, or if you are a genuine tourist.

If you know you want to visit New Zealand for more than three months before you arrive, then you should apply for a visa to stay the length of time you require (up to 12 months) before travelling to New Zealand, whether you are from a visa-required or visa-waiver country.

Visitors who do not apply in advance for a longer stay are usually only permitted to be in New Zealand for a stay of up to six months in any 12-month period. You must then leave this country, and stay away for the same period you were here, e.g. if you were here for six months, then you must stay away for six months before returning to New Zealand as a visitor.

Applications for work permits are considered in the light of the local labour market. Policy allows entry on student visas of people wishing to undertake long-term courses at universities and other tertiary institutions, although some courses of less than three months' duration can be attended without a student permit. Provision is also made for people to enter New Zealand for medical treatment in certain circumstances.