Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Primary temporary work visa requiring job offer from an accredited employer. Employer must obtain accreditation (NZD $775-1,280) and job check approval (NZD $735) before worker can apply. Stay duration: 5 years for most jobs (skill levels 1-3), or 3 years for skill levels 4-5. Recent 2024 reforms removed median wage threshold - employers now pay appropriate market rate. Work authorization available 30-40 days after application. Includes seasonal options: Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) from December 2025. Path to residence via Skilled Migrant Category after required NZ work experience.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer from AEWV-accredited employer
- •Employer sends application link
- •English language proficiency (skill levels 4-5 if not exempt)
- +2 more requirements
Active Investor Plus Visa
High net worth investor visa requiring substantial investment in NZ. Two categories introduced April 2025: Growth category (NZD $5 million for 3 years) or Balanced category (NZD $10 million for 5 years). Simplified investment process focuses on actively growing NZ economy. Must maintain investment for required period and spend required time in NZ. Direct pathway to permanent residence. No business management required - passive investment acceptable. Streamlined compared to previous Investor visas. April 2025 changes made process more straightforward for qualifying investors.
Key Requirements:
- •NZD $5M (Growth) or $10M (Balanced) investment
- •3-year (Growth) or 5-year (Balanced) commitment
- •Invest in approved investment categories
- +2 more requirements
Business Investor Work Visa
New visa category opened November 24, 2025, replacing the Entrepreneur Work Visa. Two investment pathways: NZD $1 million investment offers 3-year work-to-residence pathway; NZD $2 million investment offers fast-track residence after 12 months. Must invest in business employing at least 5 full-time equivalent staff. Requires NZD $500,000 to support self and family during establishment. Must demonstrate business experience: owning business with 5+ full-time employees OR generating NZD $1 million annual revenue. Valid up to 4 years. Allows partner and dependent children inclusion. Modernizes business immigration with clear investment thresholds and employment requirements.
Key Requirements:
- •NZD $1M or $2M investment in qualifying business
- •Business must employ 5+ full-time equivalent staff
- •NZD $500K settlement funds
- +2 more requirements
Citizenship
New Zealand citizenship available after 5 years as resident. Presence requirements: 1,350 days total in past 5 years with 240 days in each of those years. Cannot be out of NZ longer than 4 months in any 12-month period. Must understand and speak English, meet character requirements, and ensure all residence visa conditions met or cancelled. Permanent Resident Visa not required - can apply for citizenship directly after meeting residence requirements. Most applicants pursue citizenship rather than Permanent Resident Visa as it offers full benefits including NZ passport and voting rights. Dual citizenship allowed - NZ does not require renunciation of other citizenship.
Key Requirements:
- •5 years as resident (most pathways)
- •1,350 days total presence in past 5 years
- •240 days per year in each of those 5 years
- +4 more requirements
Green List (Straight to Residence)
Fast-track residence visa for occupations on the Green List with Straight to Residence pathway. Includes highly skilled roles in healthcare, engineering, ICT, construction, and other priority sectors. Allows direct application for residence without requiring prior work visa or points. Must have job offer or current employment in Green List occupation at required skill level, meet registration requirements, and demonstrate qualification/experience. Partner and children can be included. No work-to-residence period required - residence granted immediately upon approval.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer or employment in Green List STR occupation
- •Meet occupation-specific registration/licensing
- •Relevant qualifications and experience
- +2 more requirements
Green List (Work to Residence)
Two-stage pathway for Green List occupations not eligible for Straight to Residence. Stage 1: Work visa for 2 years in Green List occupation. Stage 2: Apply for residence after meeting requirements. More occupations qualify for Work to Residence than Straight to Residence. Includes skilled roles across various sectors. Must maintain employment in approved occupation, meet wage requirements, and demonstrate commitment to NZ. Clear pathway to residence with defined timeframe. Partner and children can be included from initial work visa stage.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer in Green List WTR occupation
- •Meet occupation requirements (qualifications, registration)
- •Work 2 years in approved role
- +2 more requirements
Parent Visa
Residence visa for parents of adult New Zealand citizens or residents. Two categories: Parent Resident Visa (requires adult children to meet income threshold and sponsor financially) and Parent Retirement Resident Visa (for parents with investment funds). Must have adult child who is NZ citizen or resident as sponsor. Sponsor must meet minimum income requirements to demonstrate ability to support parents. Expression of Interest system with limited annual numbers. Long processing times due to demand. Health requirements significant due to age. Brings families together but requires strong financial commitment from adult children.
Key Requirements:
- •Adult child who is NZ citizen or resident
- •Sponsor meets income requirements
- •Meet health and character requirements
- +2 more requirements
Partner Visa
Allows partners of New Zealand citizens, residents, or certain temporary visa holders to live in NZ. Must demonstrate genuine and stable partnership. Partnership can be married, civil union, or de facto relationship (living together for 12+ months in genuine and stable relationship). Initial temporary visa granted, followed by residence visa if relationship continues. Evidence required includes joint finances, shared household, social recognition of relationship. Supported work visa holders may support partner visas if meeting requirements. Does not include dependent children sponsorship under partner visa - they apply separately.
Key Requirements:
- •Partner who is NZ citizen, resident, or qualifying visa holder
- •Genuine and stable relationship
- •Living together 12+ months (de facto) or married/civil union
- +2 more requirements
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa
Points-based pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers. Current system requires only 6 skilled resident points from occupation, qualification/income, and NZ work experience. MAJOR AUGUST 2026 CHANGES: Two new pathways launching. Skilled Work Experience pathway: 5+ years relevant experience including 2 years in NZ at 1.1x median wage (skill levels 1-3). Trades/Technician pathway: Level 4+ qualification plus 4 years post-qualification experience including 18 months in NZ at median wage. Reduced NZ work experience requirement from maximum 3 years to 2 years. Simplified wage requirements - maintain median wage throughout (no increase needed). Increased points for NZ university qualifications.
Key Requirements:
- •Minimum 6 skilled resident points
- •Current system: occupation, qualification/income, NZ work experience
- •2026 pathways: 2-5 years relevant experience including NZ component
- +2 more requirements
Student Visa
Allows full-time study at accredited NZ institutions. Requires offer of admission, proof of funds (NZD $20,000 per year plus tuition), and English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 undergraduate, 6.5 postgraduate). Visa fee increased October 2024 to NZD $750 (overseas) from $375. Post-Study Work Visa available: 3 years for Level 7+ (bachelor's or higher) graduates who studied full-time for 30+ weeks. PSWV costs NZD $495, requires NZD $5,000 funds, must apply within 3 months of student visa expiry. August 2026 changes improve residence pathway - reduced required work experience from 3 to 2 years for most applicants.
Key Requirements:
- •Offer of admission from accredited institution
- •Proof of funds: NZD $20,000/year + tuition (or $1,667/month if under 1 year)
- •English: IELTS 6.0 (5.5 minimum per band) undergraduate, 6.5 (6.0 minimum) postgraduate
- +2 more requirements
Working Holiday Visa
Allows young people (typically 18-30, some countries 18-35) from partner countries to work and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 months. 2026 opening dates confirmed for capped schemes. Applicants can only apply for themselves - cannot bring partner or children. Must organize own visas if traveling with others. Popular pathway for experiencing NZ lifestyle while working to support travel. Can work for multiple employers. Cultural exchange focus with work rights to support travel. No direct path to residence but good way to explore NZ before committing to immigration.
Key Requirements:
- •Citizenship of partner country
- •Age 18-30 (some countries 18-35)
- •Valid passport
- +3 more requirements