New Zealand visa questions and answers

Yes. You can apply directly to Immigration New Zealand. Our free guides and Pathway Finder help you do that. If you get stuck on one step, or would rather someone handle the whole application, a licensed immigration adviser can help.

Only licensed immigration advisers and exempt people, such as New Zealand lawyers, Community Law Centres and Citizens Advice Bureau. Anyone else giving New Zealand immigration advice, including on social media or forums, is breaking the law. Check an adviser on the Immigration Advisers Authority register before you pay.

Start with the Pathway Finder. It asks up to four questions and points you to the visas that may fit, with links to the guide for each one.

With one-step help, you prepare and lodge your own application and an adviser helps with the part you're stuck on, for a fixed price. With full service, a licensed adviser prepares and lodges the whole application and deals with Immigration New Zealand for you. Compare the options.

A full-time job offer (at least 30 hours a week) from an accredited employer with an approved job check, pay at least at the rate for your job, and either 2 years of relevant experience or a qualification at level 4 or higher. English is required for skill levels 3 to 5. Read the work visa guide.

Up to 5 years for most jobs, or up to 3 years for jobs at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5. After reaching the maximum, you usually need to spend 12 months outside New Zealand before getting another AEWV.

Only with approval. You can work only for the employer, in the job and location on your visa, unless you get a variation or a Job Change approved. You also can't take a second job.

No. Employers and agents can't charge you fees for the job or pass on recruitment costs. If someone asks you to pay for a job offer, be very careful.

Up to 3 years, depending on your qualification. A master's degree gives 3 years and a postgraduate diploma gives 1 year. From 16 November 2026, a level 7 graduate diploma with a bachelor's degree also qualifies. Apply within 3 months of your student visa expiring.

From 24 August 2026, two new pathways were added: the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway. Most applicants now only need to meet the wage threshold that applied when they started their skilled work experience. See the residence guide.

6 points on the points-based pathway. You claim points from qualifications, occupational registration or income, and can add New Zealand skilled work experience. You can't combine qualification and income points.

A list of hard-to-fill jobs with faster residence. Tier 1 roles can apply for the Straight to Residence Visa straight away. Tier 2 roles can apply for the Work to Residence Visa after 24 months of work in New Zealand.

No. Self-employment doesn't count as relevant experience on the Skilled Work Experience or Trades and Technician pathways.

At least 12 months in a genuine and stable relationship, living together after you both turned 18. Read the partner and family guide.

From NZD $5,360. INZ says 80% of applications are decided within 7 months.

Up to 5 years, with multiple entries and no limit on each visit. Parents must leave New Zealand in year 3 for a health and insurance check. It doesn't lead to residence.

A single sponsor needs at least NZD $72,800 a year to sponsor one parent, or NZD $109,200 combined for joint sponsors. Parents can instead show their own income or funds. Figures update each April.

For tertiary study of a year or more, NZD $20,000 a year for living costs, plus tuition paid for one course or one year. School students need NZD $17,000 a year. Read the study guide.

Up to 25 hours a week during study and full-time in scheduled holidays, depending on your visa conditions.

A multiple-entry visitor visa allows up to 6 months in any 12 months. A single-entry visa allows up to 9 months in 18 months. You need at least NZD $1,000 a month, or NZD $400 if accommodation is prepaid. Read the visit guide.

Only for a business or employer based outside New Zealand. Working for a New Zealand client or employer isn't allowed on a visitor visa.

NZD $5 million in the Growth category over 3 years, or NZD $10 million in the Balanced category over 5 years. It's a resident visa from the start. Read the investor guide.

Yes, through the Business Investor Work Visa. You invest at least NZD $1 million in an established business with 5+ staff that has traded for 5 years, have NZD $500,000 to live on, and must be 55 or younger. Residence can follow after 3 years, or 12 months on the NZD $2 million fast-track.

Citizens of eligible Pacific countries aged 18 or over, with a job offer from a Recognised Seasonal Employer in horticulture or viticulture. Other countries only in exceptional circumstances. Read the seasonal work guide.

Up to 7 months in any 11 months. Citizens of Kiribati and Tuvalu who live there can stay 9 months.

At least the adult minimum wage, with a higher rate for workers who've done 2 or more seasons. Workers must be paid for at least 30 hours a week, averaged over 4 weeks.

Two seasonal visas that opened on 8 December 2025. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is for experienced workers, for up to 3 years. The Peak Seasonal Visa is for entry-level roles, for up to 7 months. Neither needs English.

Standard accreditation if you'll hire up to 5 overseas workers, high-volume for 6 or more, and triangular if you place workers with other businesses, such as labour hire. Use the accreditation planner.

INZ fees are NZD $775 for standard, NZD $1,280 for high-volume and NZD $4,060 for triangular. Each job check costs NZD $735.

Your first accreditation lasts 12 months. Renewals last 24 months for standard and high-volume, or 12 months for triangular. Allow at least 5 weeks for a renewal.

At least 14 days for skill level 1 to 3 jobs, and 21 days for skill level 4 or 5. Jobs on the Green List, jobs paying at least NZD $70 an hour, and Global Workforce Seasonal roles don't need advertising.

Act quickly. You're liable for deportation, and you may have only 42 days from when your visa expired to appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal on humanitarian grounds. A Section 61 request is another option. Read what to do now.

A request to Immigration New Zealand to grant a visa to someone who is in New Zealand unlawfully. It's decided in absolute discretion, INZ doesn't have to consider it or give reasons, and there's no right of appeal.

A Potentially Prejudicial Information letter. Immigration New Zealand sends it when it has information that could lead to your application being declined, and gives you a deadline to respond. Respond carefully and on time; this is a good point to get help from a licensed adviser.

Tell a police officer or immigration officer you want to claim, complete the Confirmation of Claim form (INZ 1071), and provide a written statement and evidence. No one is deported while their claim is being processed. Read the refugee and protection guide.