New Zealand is considered one of the top destinations people want to migrate to for various reasons – including work-life balance, a better quality of life, and work opportunities. If you plan to move there permanently, you must have a Permanent Residence in New Zealand or PR.
With a New Zealand PR visa, you can live, work, and study in New Zealand for as long as you want. It does not require you to renew the visa periodically, and you also don’t have to worry about having to leave the country after living there for a specified period.
Who is eligible for a New Zealand PR? How to apply, and what are the required documents? Read on to know everything about applying for a New Zealand PR.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent Residence in New Zealand lets you live, work, and study indefinitely without visa renewals and with full travel freedom.
- Applicants must usually hold a resident visa for at least 2 years, meet health, character, English, and employment requirements.
- The Skilled Migrant Category is the most popular PR route, using a points-based system based on age, qualifications, and work experience.
- Other PR pathways include family sponsorship and business or investment routes, depending on your background and goals.
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Eligibility Criteria for Getting PR in New Zealand
You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for permanent residence in New Zealand:
- Must have held a resident visa for at least 2 years
- Must have met all the conditions of your resident visa
- Must be between 18 – 55 years of age
- Should speak and understand English
- Must have a job offer from an employer in New Zealand
- Should be in good health
- No criminal record
- Have a minimum of two years of work experience and enough documents to prove it
- Commitment to contribute to New Zealand’s economy
How to Apply for Permanent Residence in New Zealand?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for permanent residency in New Zealand:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Check the eligibility criteria and make sure you meet the basic requirements.
Step 2: Take the NZQA Assessment
If your educational qualifications are from institutions outside of New Zealand, you need to take the NZQA assessment. However, this can sometimes be skipped if your overseas qualifications are recognised and mentioned under the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.
Step 3: Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submit an EOI online as to why you want to settle in New Zealand.
Step 4: Wait for the Invitation
If your EOI is accepted, you will receive an invitation to apply for PR. Complete the application and provide supporting documents to verify your age, qualification, work experience, etc. Pay the application fees.
Step 5: Approval of PR Visa
After your application is verified and approved, you will receive the PR visa.
Documents Required for New Zealand PR
The documents can vary depending on your route to PR. However, the following are common for all visa types that you need to submit with your application:
- Valid passport (original or copy) as proof of identity
- Medical certificates to show you are in good health
- Police clearance certificate as proof of good character, which must be less than 6 months old at the time of submission
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Educational certificates, including the New Zealand Qualification report
- Job offer letter including details of your employer, working hours, remuneration, position and other essential information.
- Proof of funds such as bank statements
Pathways to Permanent Residency in New Zealand
New Zealand offers multiple pathways for permanent residence. Some of the common routes include:
Skilled Migrant Category
You must find a skilled job in New Zealand to apply under the Skilled Migrant category. It is a points-based immigration system; the points are awarded based on age, educational qualifications, employment, and work experience.
To apply, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and meet all other eligibility criteria. If the EOI is accepted by immigration officials and you get a decent score, you will receive an Invitation to Apply for PR.
This is the most common route to securing permanent residence in New Zealand.
Family Category
If you are a partner, parent, or dependent child of a New Zealand permanent resident, you can apply for PR. However, the relative must sponsor you to complete the PR process.
Business and Investment Category
If you plan to start your own business or invest in properties in New Zealand, you can apply for PR under this category. For the business category, you must have a two-year business background in New Zealand. In some cases, it can be six months. To apply under the investor category, you must invest in properties to live in the country.
Points System for Permanent Residence in New Zealand
New Zealand uses a points-based system under the Skilled Migrant Category visa to select migrants who can contribute to the country’s economy.
These points are based on their age, qualifications, work experience, employment, etc.
Here’s a breakdown of the points:
| Category | Breakup | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 20-29 | 30 |
| 50-55 | 5 | |
| Educational Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree or diploma | 50 |
| Master's or doctorate degree | 55 | |
| Work Experience | 2 years | 10 |
| 10 years | 30 | |
| Employability | Skilled employees working for more than 1 year | 60 |
| People looking for a job less than a year | 50 | |
| Family | Applicant’s close family or relatives living in New Zealand | 10 |
Source: www.tataaig.com
Final Thoughts
If you wish to relocate to the picturesque New Zealand, then becoming a permanent resident of the country is a must. This will let you live and work in the country indefinitely. Before applying for the PR, make sure you have understood all the eligibility requirements for a smooth and successful PR application.
Permanent Residence in New Zealand – FAQs
Yes. A Permanent Resident Visa allows you to enter and leave New Zealand without restrictions.
Yes. After living in New Zealand for at least 5 years and meeting the eligibility requirements, you can apply for citizenship.
The application fee for a PR visa is NZD 315. However, the medical tests, English proficiency test, and police clearance certificates are going to cost you extra.
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