Live, work and study in New Zealand.

  • Include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under, in your residence application.
  • Claim 3 to 6 points for your qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher), New Zealand occupational registration or income. However, you cannot combine points from any of these skill categories. For example you cannot combine points from your qualification with points from your income.
  • Claim 1 point for each year of skilled work in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 points. These points can be combined with the points from your qualification, New Zealand occupational registration or income.

Check the visa requirements

  • You must have a job or a job offer in New Zealand to apply. Your employment must be with an accredited employer and either full-time and permanent, for a fixed-term of at least 12 months or a contract for services of at least 6 months.

You must submit sufficient evidence when you apply. If you do not provide sufficient evidence, we may decline your application and not refund your fee.

Documents we need include police certificates, medical certificates, proof you meet our English language standards and evidence of your job or job offer. You may need to provide proof of your qualification or registration in New Zealand.

Plan your application

These steps are a general guide to help you gather the evidence you need for a complete application. An application containing all the documents we require is processed faster.

Visa options include those that allow you to work, study, visit, bring or join family, stay longer or live permanently in New Zealand.

Apply online or on paper

You must pay all visa fees.

The application process depends on the type of visa you apply for and if you are applying online or on paper.

 

Document preparation  fees affect from 2024
Cost
From
NZD $2600
Processing time
80% within
12 weeks

VISA Process

Decide which visa to apply for

Visa options include those that allow you to work, study, visit, bring or join family, stay longer or live permanently in New Zealand.

Check the visa requirements

You may need to meet specific requirements for your:

  • health
  • character and identity
  • financial situation
  • skills and qualifications
  • length of time you have lived in New Zealand.

Prepare your documents

Allow enough time for you to get any official documents we ask for, and to get them translated into English if they are not already.

Apply online

You must pay all visa fees.

The application process depends on the type of visa you apply for and if you are applying online or on paper.

We process your application

How long you wait for a decision about your visa depends on a number of factors, including:

  • which visa you applied for
  • where you apply from
  • how many other visa applications we have received.
Organise proof of skilled job or job offer

What to do

Gather your:

  • detailed job description
  • employment agreement.

If you have a contract for services you must prove you have:

  • a history of contract work and
  • completed 12 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand.