Our Immigration Services

Main Categories for Residence

Depending on your plans for the future, your qualifications and/or your financial means available, there are several categories you may be eligible for to apply for permanent residence in New Zealand. The following are the main categories:

Skilled Migrants
Family
Business Investor

Brief outline of the main categories -

Skilled Migrants - Points based To be considered under this category you need to be of good health, good character, have a reasonable standard of English and be no older than 55 years of age. You will also need to meet the threshold of 110 points to register an Expression of Interest. Expressions of Interest will be ranked and those with the top points will be invited to apply for residence.

Skilled Migrants - Offer of Employment An offer of employment from a NZ employer or current employment in New Zealand may be essential in this category.

Work to Residence Talent Policy If you are not older than 55 and you have an exceptional talent in art, sports or culture or if you hold a job offer for a profession that is on the long term skill shortage list you may be eligible to apply for this special work visa.

Business - Investment - Points Based If you have a minimum of NZ$1,500,000 available for investment and a minimum of NZ$1.5 million for settlement in New Zealand for 5 years, under the age of 54, IELTS of 3.0 for applicant who mother tongue is not English, you may be eligible to apply for residence in this category.

Entrepreneur - Not points based If you have your own business in your country of origin AND you have a sound business plan and sufficient funds to realize your plan AND to support yourself and your family while starting your business, related to the business you have in your country of origin, you may be eligible for a Long Term Business Visa which may enable you to apply for permanent residence in the Entrepreneur category after 2 years.

At this moment, August 2004, the Long Term Business Visa is one of the most difficult visas to qualify for and to apply for successfully; it is recommended to ask advice first from a reputable migration consultant before making the considerable costs involved in applying for this visa.

Family - Not points based If you: are in a genuine and stable marriage or de facto relationship (whether heterosexual or same sex) with a New Zealand citizen or resident who sponsors your application or have immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents and who live permanently in New Zealand and you are the dependent child of New Zealand citizens or residents or if you are a parent, sibling or legal guardian of a NZ citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible in this category. Health and Character requirements apply.

Australia: For details on Australian categories, please contact our office