OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.: Date received: / / Application no.

May 2019 INZ 1003

Self-Assessment Guide
for Residence in New Zealand
A guide to the options for gaining residence in New Zealand

Residence in New Zealand KIA ORA – WELCOME

New Zealand welcomes new migrants – people who
Potential migrants who want to live in New Zealand will contribute to our country by bringing valuable
permanently must first obtain a residence class visa skills or qualifications, setting up a business, or making
entitling them to live, study and work indefinitely a financial investment.
in this country. This guide summarises the various
We also encourage family reunification by allowing
residence categories and the requirements you will
residents and citizens to sponsor or support other
need to meet to live in New Zealand as a resident.
family members for residence. We believe migrants make
If, after reading this guide, you want more a valuable contribution to our society, and help us develop
details about applying for residence, visit and strengthen our relationships with other parts of
www.immigration.govt.nz. the world.

If you’re a New Zealand or Australian citizen, Requirements of your residence

you don’t need to apply for residence to live in class visa
New Zealand, although you will still need to show
a valid New Zealand or Australian passport on your We can impose requirements on you if you are granted
arrival in New Zealand. a resident visa under the Investor, Employees of Relocating
Businesses, Entrepreneur Residence or Skilled Migrant
If you are entering New Zealand with a current categories. Details of these requirements are given under
Australian Permanent Residence Visa or a current the sections about these categories later in this guide.
Australian Resident Return Visa, you will normally The Minister of Immigration can also impose requirements
be granted a New Zealand resident visa on arrival. on you if the Minister has granted a resident visa to you
However, you can still be refused residence if you are as an exception to instructions.
not of good character. (See ‘Character requirements’ The requirements may remain for up to two years after
for further information.) you are first granted residence except if you are granted
In New Zealand, residence and citizenship are residence under the Migrant Investment Instructions, in
different. If you are granted residence, you retain which case requirements will remain for up to four years.
your original citizenship, and you can also apply for
New Zealand citizenship. Immigration New Zealand
(INZ) does not administer citizenship law. Enquiries
regarding New Zealand citizenship and passports
should be directed to the Department of Internal
Affairs or a New Zealand consular or diplomatic office.
See our website www.immigration.govt.nz for
further information.

immigration.govt.nz
 CONTENTS
Residence in New Zealand 1

KIA ORA – WELCOME 1

Requirements of your residence class visa 1
How decisions are made 3
Your health, character and English language ability 3
Your application 3
Other things you need to know 4

SKILLED/BUSINESS STREAM 6
Skilled Migrant Category 6
Skilled Migrant quick check 7
The Skilled Migrant Category points system 8
Business categories 9
Residence from Work categories 10

FAMILY SPONSORED STREAM 13

Family Category 13

INTERNATIONAL/HUMANITARIAN STREAM 16
Refugee Family Support Category 16
Pacific Access Category 17
Samoan Quota Scheme 18
Victims of domestic violence 18
Pitcairn Islanders 18
For more information 18

2 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

If you show us that you’ve met them after this English language requirements
time, we will write to you confirming that the
requirements no longer apply. After this your You will have a better chance of settling
residence status is permanent. It is important successfully in New Zealand if you can speak
that you meet the requirements within this time English. You (and everyone else aged 16 or over
as if you don’t you (and any accompanying family who is accompanying you) will need to meet a
members) may become liable for deportation. minimum standard of English if you are applying
under the Skilled Migrant, Pacific Access or
Business categories (except the Investor Plus
How decisions are made (Investor 1 Category)). If you are applying under
Religious Worker instructions you will be
The Minister of Immigration sets residence required to meet the minimum English language
instructions. By law, INZ must assess applications requirements. You won’t need to meet English
according to the rules of these instructions. language requirements if you’re applying under
any other residence from work categories.
However, all partners and/or children included
Your health, character and in any residence from work category application,
English language ability including under Religious Worker instructions,
will need to meet English language
Health requirements requirements.

Read our leaflet Health Requirements (INZ 1121) Details of the minimum standards for each
for full details of the health information you will category, and what evidence you need to
need to submit as part of your application. provide, can be found on our website
www.immigration.govt.nz. Alternatively,
Character requirements see our leaflet English Language Information
(INZ 1060).
You and any family members included in your
application must be of good character, whatever
the category. To prove that, you and everyone Your application
in your family who is 17 years of age and older
needs to provide police certificates from: Principal applicant
• your country of citizenship (unless you can The principal applicant is the person who will
provide satisfactory evidence to an be primarily assessed against the instructions
immigration officer that a police certificate criteria. If this is you, you should fill in the
is either not available or is unduly difficult application form.
to obtain); and
• any country you have been in for 12 months or Non-principal applicants
more in the last 10 years, whether in one visit
Non-principal applicants are any other people
or more.
who you include in the application, such as your
For information on how to obtain a police partner and/or children.
certificate you can visit our website
www.immigration.govt.nz/policecertificate. Partners
Accessing the website is the quickest means of You can include your partner in your application,
obtaining this information. However, if you do but you must have been living together in a
not have access to the internet you can call us genuine and stable relationship for at least
on 0508 55 88 55 if you are in New Zealand. 12 months and meet other minimum
You will probably be refused residence in requirements for your partnership to be
New Zealand on character grounds if: recognised. See ‘Minimum requirements
for recognition of partnerships’.
• you have ever been convicted and sentenced
to imprisonment for five years or more; or
• you are subject to a current or permanent
prohibition on entering New Zealand, or have
been deported from another country; or
• there is reason to believe you might be
associated with criminal groups, constitute
a danger to New Zealand, or engage in criminal
offending after your arrival.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 3

 Dependent children Other things you need to know
You can include your children and your partner’s
children in your application if they are single Agents, advisers and third parties
and aged 17 or younger or are single, aged
You can apply for residence by completing and
18-24 years and have no children of their own.
submitting the necessary forms yourself or you
Children aged 21 to 24 years must be either
can ask another person – such as a friend,
totally or substantially reliant on you or your
lawyer, or immigration adviser – to help you.
partner for financial support, whether or not
(We refer to people who help you in this way
they are living with you or your partner.
as your ‘agent’, ‘adviser’ or ‘representative’.)
Your partner’s children cannot be approved for We give all applicants equal treatment so you
residence unless you and your partner are able are free to choose whether or not to use an
to meet the minimum requirements for agent. Our website www.immigration.govt.nz
recognition of partnerships (see ‘Minimum has lots of information about migrating to and
requirements for recognition of partnerships’). settling in New Zealand and also provides links
to other services that may be able to help you.
If you are applying for residence under the
Parent Category or the Parent Retirement Please be aware of the following if you do decide
Category, you will not be eligible for residence to use an agent, adviser or representative.
if you have dependent children. • You can give your own address or your agent’s,
adviser’s or representative’s address as our
Custody of dependent children
point of contact. However, there may be times
If you have custody of a child who is under when we want to work directly with you.
16 years of age and you are separated or • If you give your agent’s, adviser’s or
divorced from the other parent, you need representative’s address, we will send them
to provide us with evidence that you have all correspondence about your application –
the legal right to remove that child from including notices for interviews and
their home country. original documents.
• If you stop using the services of your agent,
Customary adoptions adviser or representative, or hire a new one,
Children who have been informally adopted you will need to tell us in writing or we will
at an early age by members of their extended continue to deal with them. If you are changing
family according to custom are regarded as your immigration adviser, please use the form
members of the host family into which they Immigration Adviser Details (INZ 1160).
were adopted and will not be approved for • You are responsible for any documents
residence as part of your family. or information that you submit with your
application as well as any information that
Mandatory inclusion of family members your agent, adviser or representative submits
on your behalf.
If you submit a residence application and
hold a work visa and your partner and/or Immigration levy
children hold temporary visas linked to your
work visa, they must be included and cannot Applicants for residence must pay an immigration
be subsequently removed from your residence levy when they submit their application.
application. Failure to do so may result in your Information about the immigration levy and
application being declined. the amount you will need to pay are in our
Fees Guide (INZ 1028) and on our website
www.immigration.govt.nz/fees.

4 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

Advance passenger screening Tax obligations while residing
New Zealand has implemented a system in New Zealand
designed to enhance the security of If you are planning to work in New Zealand,
New Zealand’s borders. You may be refused you will need an IRD number. All your tax,
permission to board your flight to come to, entitlement and personal details are linked
or return to New Zealand if: to this number, which is unique to you. This is
• you do not have an appropriate visa to enter administered by Inland Revenue, New Zealand’s
New Zealand; or tax service. You can apply for an IRD number
• your visa has expired; or online at www.ird.govt.nz/irdnum-individuals.
• your visa has not been transferred to your Most types of individual income derived from
current/new passport or the passport being overseas are temporarily exempt from tax in
used to enter New Zealand. New Zealand if you fulfil certain conditions.
The temporary tax exemption is available to
To minimise any disruption to your travel plans, new migrants and returning New Zealanders
please ensure your travel documents are up to who have not been resident for tax purposes
date and that you have the appropriate and in New Zealand for at least 10 years. See
current visa. If you have any questions check www.ird.govt.nz/temp-tax-exemption for
www.immigration.govt.nz. further information.
New Zealand Residence Programme Importing your car, boat, and/or
The Government manages the number of people household items
who are granted residence in New Zealand each
You may be able to bring your car, boat,
year through the New Zealand Residence
and/or household items to New Zealand free
Programme (NZRP). The NZRP contains
of Customs charges. For detailed information
residence goals set by the Government which
on restrictions, and to find out if you must pay
aim to maximize the contribution of the NZRP
Customs charges, see the New Zealand Customs
to the economic and social wellbeing of
Service website www.customs.govt.nz.
New Zealand and meet New Zealand’s
For enquiries telephone 0800 428 786
humanitarian commitments. On the following
(within New Zealand), +64 9 300 5399
pages you will find an overview of the various
(outside New Zealand), or email
instructions and the rules for each of the
feedback@customs.govt.nz.
resident visa categories that make up the NZRP.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 5

 SKILLED/BUSINESS STREAM Applying under the Skilled Migrant Category
The Skilled Migrant Category prioritises people
The purpose of the Skilled/Business stream is to
who are qualified, skilled migrants and already
help skilled and entrepreneurial migrants gain
have skilled jobs (or job offers) in New Zealand.
residence in New Zealand. The categories in this
Research has confirmed that these migrants are
stream are the:
able to settle more quickly than others and as a
• Skilled Migrant Category; result match New Zealanders in salary levels and
• Business Categories (Migrant Investment standards of living.
Instructions, Entrepreneur Residence,
Employees of Relocating Businesses); and The process
• Residence from Work categories (Talent
Step one: Self-assessment
(Accredited Employers) Residence Instructions,
Talent (Arts, Culture, and Sports) Residence Complete the points indicator and
Instructions, and Long Term Skill Shortage List). view the criteria on the INZ website
www.immigration.govt.nz/skilledmigrant.
Once you have an idea of what you may be able
The Skilled Migrant Category to claim points for, you should examine the
New Zealand offers many opportunities for criteria in detail by consulting the Skilled Migrant
skilled migrants, particularly in industries and Category Expression of Interest Guide (INZ 1101).
regions experiencing growth and skill shortages.
Step two: Create and submit an EOI
The Skilled Migrant Category is for potential
migrants who are interested in gaining Complete an Expression of Interest. In this, you
New Zealand residence and have readily tell us about your health, character, age and
transferable skills and experience. English language ability, as well as the factors
that will earn you points. When it is completed,
Expression of Interest (EOI) process submit it to INZ where it will be checked to ensure
Applying under the Skilled Migrant Category is that all relevant information has been supplied.
a two-stage process: you submit an EOI into the You can complete and submit an Expression of
EOI Pool. If it is selected from the Pool and you Interest form online at www.immigration.govt.
are invited to apply for residence, you will be given nz or on a hard copy form, which you can
four months to lodge a residence application. download from our website. The online form is
easier to complete and is also less expensive
The prerequisites than submitting a paper form.
To be considered under this category you need You need at least 100 points to submit an
to be of good health, good character, have a Expression of Interest.
reasonable standard of English, and be under
the age of 56 years. To have an EOI accepted, Step three: EOI Pool selection
you will also need to be claming at least 100
points for what are called ‘employability and Expressions of Interest that have enough
capacity-building factors’—factors such as points above a set number are selected
skilled employment, recognised qualifications automatically. The selection point may change
and skilled work experience. as necessary to manage the achievement of
the New Zealand Residence Programme.
The points system See www.immigration.govt.nz for more
information on the number of points needed
The points system is designed to prioritise for automatic selection.
potential migrants who have the most to offer
New Zealand so that INZ can decide who to Once your Expression of Interest has been
invite to apply for residence. Points are available selected from the pool, following some checking,
for skilled employment in New Zealand, work you may be invited to lodge an application
experience, qualifications and age. Bonus points for residence.
are also available. The points and bonus points
are set out on the table under ‘The Skilled
Migrant Category points schedule’.

6 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

An Expression of Interest is current for a period Step six: Settling in New Zealand
of six months from the date of submission
to the pool. If selection(s) of Expressions of We have a range of tools and resources
Interest occur within the six-month period and to help you prepare for living and working
yours is not selected, we will automatically in New Zealand.
withdraw your Expression of Interest at the The New Zealand Now website
end of the six-month period. If your Expression (www.newzealandnow.govt.nz) is a
of Interest is selected from the pool but later migrant’s guide to living, working and moving
returned to the pool by an immigration officer to New Zealand. It includes tips on getting
(for example if you are not awarded some of the started in New Zealand and settling in.
points you claimed, but still have at least 100
The NZ Ready tool (nzready.immigration.govt.nz)
points), your Expression of Interest will also
covers a range of topics, and generates a
be automatically withdrawn from the pool, six
tailored list of things to know and things to do
months from the date it was first submitted.
to make your migration journey a success.
If your Expression of Interest is withdrawn,
you can submit another one if you wish.
Skilled Migrant points indicator
If we have not selected any Expressions of
Interest over the six-month period, all If your want to check how many points you
Expressions of Interest will remain in the pool are able to claim, use the points indicator at:
until we make the next selection. www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator.

Step four: Invitation to Apply

If you are drawn from the pool, we may send you
an Invitation to Apply for residence. After you
have been invited to apply you will need to send
us all the necessary documents to support the
claims you made in your Expression of Interest
– such as passports, qualifications and relevant
certificates (original documents or certified
copies). The application for residence is a much
simpler form to complete because you
will have supplied much of the necessary
information with your Expression of Interest.

Step five: Residence application assessment

We assess your application against the Skilled
Migrant Category criteria. We also verify
everything you have told us in your Expression
of Interest. If you are awarded enough points
to meet the selection criteria at the date your
Expression of Interest was selected, including
points for skilled work experience or recognised
qualification(s), you may be granted residence.
You will need to be awarded points for skilled
employment in New Zealand—either a job or job
offer—unless you have a Master’s or Doctorate
level qualification awarded following two years
of full-time study in New Zealand. If you have
enough points to meet the criteria at the date
your Expression of Interest was selected, but
you are not awarded points for skilled
employment or a Master’s or Doctorate gained
in New Zealand, you will be able to apply for a
work visa for the purpose of obtaining skilled
employment in New Zealand. While your work
visa is valid, the decision on your application
will be deferred.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 7

 The Skilled Migrant Category points schedule
The table below shows how points are allocated under the Skilled Migrant Category. Refer to the
Skilled Migrant Category Expression of Interest Guide (INZ 1101) to get more information, definitions
of terms, and an indication of your potential points score and eligibility under this category.
Factors Points
Skilled employment
Current skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand 50
Bonus points for skilled employment or offer of skilled employment
In an area of absolute skills shortage 10
In a region outside Auckland 30
Partner’s skilled employment or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand 20
High remuneration (see ‘SMC terms’ for details) 20
Skilled work experience
2 years 10
4 years 20
6 years 30
8 years 40
10 years 50
Bonus points if skilled work experience in New Zealand
1 year or more 10
Bonus points for work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage
2 to 5 years 10
6 years or more 15
Points for recognised qualification
Recognised level 3 qualification, if included on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment 40
Level 4 to 6 on the NZQF (e.g trade qualification, diploma) 40
Level 7 or 8 on the NZQF (e.g bachelor degree, bachelor degree with Honours). 50
Level 9 or 10 on the NZQF (e.g Masters degree, Doctorate) 70
Bonus points for qualifications
2 years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised bachelor degree (level 7 on the NZQF)
10
New Zealand qualification
1 year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification
10
(levels 8, 9, or 10 on the NZQF)
2 years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification
15
(level 9 or 10 on the NZQF)
Partner’s qualifications – recognised level 7 or 8 qualification 10
– recognised level 9 or greater qualification 20
Points for age
20 to 39 30
40 to 44 20
45 to 49 10
50 to 55 5

8 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

Business categories Both categories
All funds must be legally earned and owned
You can be granted residence under the Migrant
either solely by you, or jointly by you and your
Investment Instructions, the Entrepreneur
partner or you and your dependent children.
Residence Category, or Employees of Relocating
If the funds are owned partly by your partner,
Businesses Category. We also have another
you will need to have been living in a genuine
business category – the Entrepreneur Work Visa
and stable partnership for a minimum of
– that is a temporary entry category intended
12 months and meet the minimum requirements
to lead to residence under the Entrepreneur
for recognition of partnerships (see ‘Minimum
Residence Category.
requirements for recognition of partnerships’)
People wanting to establish a business in for the funds to be acceptable.
New Zealand can be granted a work visa under
the Entrepreneur Work Visa Category for three Investor (Investor 2 Category)
years, and apply for residence under the
The Investor (Investor 2 Category) is a points-
Entrepreneur Residence Category after
based category in which applicants must first
operating their own business for two years or
submit an Expression of Interest and claim
after operating it for six months if it is a high
points in the areas of age, English language,
value business, which meets the criteria below.
business experience, and investment funds.
For more information on the Entrepreneur
The Expression of Interest will be entered into
Work Visa, please check our website
a pool if the minimum entry requirements noted
www.immigration.govt.nz.
in the table above are met and a minimum score
of 20 points is achieved. Expressions of Interest
Migrant Investment Instructions
will be selected from the pool periodically
Key Investor Plus Investor according to their points ranking. Selection
requirements (Investor (Investor 2 Category) from the pool may result in an Invitation to Apply
1 Category) for residence.
Age No requirement 65 or younger
You will need to state what evidence you have to
Business No requirement Minimum of support your claims for points on the Expression
experience three years
of Interest form, but won’t need to actually
Investment Minimum of Minimum of provide documents until you submit your
funds NZ$10 million NZ$3 million application for residence.
Principal No requirement Qualify for a
applicant’s minimum of 1 point Entrepreneur Residence Category
English for English language
language ability under To apply under the Entrepreneur Residence
instructions BJ5.35; Category you need to:
or other evidence
under instructions • have successfully established a business
BJ5.35.1 or BF2.1. in New Zealand
Family No requirement Same as principal • be self-employed in the business
member’s applicant or pre- • be healthy and of good character
English purchase ESOL
language tuition. • meet a minimum standard of English
Applicants under both categories must be healthy and
• not have applied for or been granted social
of good character. If approved residence, applicants welfare benefits in New Zealand.
under both categories must maintain their investment
funds in New Zealand for a minimum period of time. They
must also spend a certain number of days in New Zealand
as residents. Find out more about these conditions on
our website.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 9

 Each category has additional specific requirements. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise must support
the relocation of the business. We will consult with
Entrepreneur Residence Entrepreneur Residence New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to determine
Category (2 years) Category (6 months)
its support for the relocation of the business.
You must have been You must hold a current
lawfully working in your Long Term Business Visa To be approved under this category you need to:
business in New Zealand or Entrepreneur Work Visa
for at least two years. and have been lawfully • be a key employee of a business that is
working in your business proposing to relocate to New Zealand
in New Zealand for at least
six months.
• not qualify for residence under other
residence categories
Your business has You have invested at least
significantly benefited NZ$0.5 million into your
• be healthy and of good character, and
New Zealand and is trading established business and • meet a minimum standard of English.
profitably. have created a minimum
of three full-time jobs You are a key employee if the chief executive
for New Zealand citizens officer of the relocating business satisfies us
or residents. that you will be essential to the operation of the
business in New Zealand.
To have successfully established a business in
New Zealand you must have established or If your application is approved, we will send you
purchased, or made a substantial investment a letter setting out the requirements that apply
(a minimum of 25 per cent of the shareholding to you, your partner and children (see
of a business) in a business operating in ‘Requirements of your residence class visa’).
New Zealand. Under the Employees of Relocating Businesses
Category, these requirements are that you:
A business is considered to benefit New Zealand
• work in the business for the 24 months
significantly if it promotes New Zealand’s
following its relocation to New Zealand
economic growth through, for example:
• tell us if your address changes within this
• introducing new or enhancing existing time, and
technology, management or technical skills; or
• show us that you’ve met the first requirement
• introducing new or enhancing existing within three months after the initial 24-month
products, services or export markets; or period has ended.
• creating new or significantly expanding
existing export markets; or
Residence from Work categories
• creating new job opportunities for
New Zealand citizens or residents; or
• revitalising an existing business.
Talent (Accredited Employers)
Residence Category
The business must be trading profitably on the
date you lodge your application or must clearly This is a residence category for people who were
have the potential to become profitable within granted a 30-month temporary work visa to
the following 12 months. allow them to work for an accredited employer
in New Zealand.
Employees of Relocating To be approved for residence you must:
Businesses Category
• be in New Zealand when the application for
This category aims to promote New Zealand residence is lodged
as a place in which to relocate businesses. • have held a work visa granted under the Talent
To be considered under this category the (Accredited Employers) Work Category for at
owner(s) of the relocating business needs least 24 months
to satisfy us that the business will: • during the currency of that visa, have been
• operate in New Zealand; and employed in New Zealand for a period of
24 months by an accredited employer (or
• be of benefit to New Zealand; and
another employer if you were granted a
• comply with all relevant employment and variation of conditions to your work visa by
immigration law in force in New Zealand. INZ allowing you to work for them instead)
• have current ongoing employment with
a minimum base salary of NZ$55,000.

10 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

• hold full or provisional registration, if full or A New Zealand organisation of national repute
provisional registration is required to practise is defined as:
in your occupation in New Zealand, and • a New Zealand organisation that has a
• be healthy and of good character. nationally recognised record of excellence
Your employment must be: in a field of art, culture or sport, or
• a New Zealand organisation that has a
• full-time (on average, at least 30 hours per week)
nationally recognised record of excellence in
• ongoing (permanent or indefinite, or for a fostering exceptional talent in a field of art,
stated term of at least 12 months) culture or sport.
• genuine, and You must provide a completed Talent (Arts,
• compliant with relevant employment law in Culture and Sports) Sponsorship Form (INZ 1091)
force in New Zealand. This includes having a from an organisation of national repute with
written employment agreement specifying the your application for residence. Either the
necessary terms and conditions, and meeting organisation or an individual citizen or residence
holiday, special leave and occupational health class visa holder must agree to sponsor you for
and safety requirements. residence, and undertake to provide you with
If you have a base salary of NZ$90,000 you may financial support and accommodation during the
be eligible for a permanent resident visa. first two years of your residence, if this should
be necessary.
Employers who want to know more about
employer accreditation should go to our Arts, cultural or sporting organisations that
website: www.immigration.govt.nz/ want to know more about sponsoring applicants
talentaccreditedemployer. under the Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Work
Category should see our Talent (Arts, Culture and
Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) Sports) Sponsorship Form.
Residence Category
Long Term Skill Shortage List
This is a residence category for people with Residence Category
exceptional talent in a field of art, culture or
sport who were sponsored by a New Zealand art, This is a residence category for people who were
cultural or sporting organisation for a 30-month granted a 30-month work visa to allow them to
open temporary work visa allowing them to be work for an employer in New Zealand in an
actively engaged in their field in New Zealand. occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
To be approved you must: To be approved for residence you must:
• be in New Zealand when the application for • have held a work visa granted under the Long
residence is lodged Term Skill Shortage List Work Category for at
least 24 months; and
• have held a work visa granted under the Talent
(Arts, Culture and Sports) Work Category for • currently have employment (see below)
at least 24 months with a minimum base salary of NZ$45,000
that is in either:
• during the currency of that visa, have been
actively engaged in your field of art, culture • the occupation for which you were granted a
or sport throughout a period of 24 months work visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage
in New Zealand List Work Category, or
• be sponsored for residence by a New Zealand • an occupation which is listed on the Long
organisation of national repute in your field Term Skill Shortage List at the time your
(see below) application for residence is made, and
• still be prominent in your field • hold full or provisional registration, if full or
• show that your continued presence in provisional registration is required to practise
New Zealand will enhance the quality of in that occupation in New Zealand, and
New Zealand’s accomplishments and • be healthy and of good character.
participation in your field of art, culture
or sport
• be healthy and of good character, and
• not have applied for or been granted any social
welfare benefits in New Zealand.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 11

 Your employment must be: A sponsoring organisation must:
• full-time (on average, at least 30 hours • be a charity registered with Charities
per week) Services with a primary purpose of advancing
• ongoing (permanent or indefinite, religion, and
or for a stated term of at least 12 months) • agree to sponsor you for a period of at
• genuine, and least five years (including maintenance,
accommodation and repatriation (if required)),
• compliant with relevant employment law in
and provide evidence of their financial ability
force in New Zealand. This includes having a
to sponsor you for this period, and
written employment agreement specifying the
necessary terms and conditions, and meeting • provide evidence of a genuine and long-term
holiday, special leave and occupational health need for a religious worker. Evidence may
and safety requirements. include, for example, a statement from the
sponsoring organisation or its governing
To find out which occupations are included on body, with information about growth or
the current Long Term Skill Shortage List, visit expansion of the organisation and/or the
our website www.immigration.govt.nz/ltssl. religious services/activities the sponsoring
organisation provides; and
Religious Worker instructions
• provide a copy of an employment agreement
This is a residence category for people who hold or a description of the religious work you are
a work visa under Religious Worker instructions. being sponsored to undertake.
To be approved for residence under Religious
Worker instructions you must:
• have genuine, ongoing New Zealand-based
religious work with a sponsoring organisation
whose primary purpose is advancing
religion, and
• have held a work visa under Religious Worker
instructions for at least three years, and
• have training and/or experience in religious
work of at least five years, and
• be aged 55 years or under at the time you
apply for residence, and
• meet the minimum English language
requirements (see English Language
Information (INZ 1060) for full requirements
and information on how to meet them), and
• be healthy and of good character.

12 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

FAMILY SPONSORED STREAM • have been included as a partner in or
supported an application where a residence
The purpose of the Family Sponsored stream class visa was granted on the basis of a
is to help reunite families in New Zealand partnership in the five years immediately
by granting residence to the family members preceding the date the current application
of New Zealand citizens and residents. is made, or
The Family Sponsored stream includes the • have been included as a partner in or
Partnership, Dependent Child, Parent and supported more than one previous application
Parent Retirement residence categories. where a residence class visa was granted on
For information about the Parent Retirement the basis of a partnership.
Category, see the Parent Retirement Category Note: A residence class visa is considered to
Guide (INZ 1171). have been granted on the basis of a partnership
if the New Zealand partner:
Family Category • previously supported a successful application
under the Partnership Category, or
Partnership Category • was the principal applicant in a successful
application under the Partnership Category
This category is for people who have a
• was the principal applicant in any successful
New Zealand resident or citizen partner and
residence class visa application that included
want to come to live in New Zealand with them.
a secondary applicant partner who was also
The minimum requirements for recognition of
granted residence, or
partnerships apply to all residence applications.
• was granted residence as the partner of
Minimum requirements for recognition a principal applicant in any residence class
of partnerships visa application.

To be granted residence in New Zealand you New Zealand residence requirements

and your partner need to prove you:
Your partner will need to show us that
• are living together (and have been for a New Zealand is their primary place of residence.
minimum of 12 months) in a genuine and When your application is made and assessed
stable relationship they should:
• are both aged 18 years or older (or can provide
• hold a valid New Zealand or Australian
evidence of parental/guardian/other consent
passport, or
if either of you are 16 or 17 years of age)
• hold a New Zealand residence class visa which
• met each other prior to your application being
was granted on the basis that they held an
made, and
Australian Permanent Residence Visa or an
• are not close relatives according to Schedule 2 Australian Resident Return Visa.
of the Marriage Act 1955 or Schedule 2 of the
Civil Union Act 2004. (These Acts are available Permanent resident visa
on the internet at www.legislation.govt.nz.)
You may be eligible for a permanent resident
Is my partner eligible to support me? visa if you:
• meet all the other requirements under the
If you are applying for residence under the
Partnership Category
Partnership Category, you need to be supported
by your New Zealand partner. Your partner is not • have a New Zealand citizen partner who has
eligible to support you if they: been residing outside New Zealand for a period
of five years, and
• have been convicted at any time of any offence
involving domestic violence or of a sexual • have been living together in a genuine and
nature prior to the date the application is stable relationship for at least five years.
made (unless granted a character waiver), or
Parent Category
• were the perpetrator of an incident of
domestic violence which has resulted in the The Parent Category allows parents of
grant of a residence class visa to a person New Zealand residents or citizens to apply for
under the category for victims of domestic residence. You need to submit an Expression of
violence, or Interest and be invited to apply before you can
make an application. For more information on
the Parent Category, please also see the Parent
Category Guide (INZ 1207).

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 13

 How does the Parent Category work? If costs are incurred by the Crown or a third
party as a result of your sponsor breaching their
The requirements sponsorship undertakings, you will be deemed
To be eligible under this category you need to have breached the conditions of your visa and
to meet all of the requirements to: may become liable for deportation. These costs
will also be considered to be a debt owed by the
• be of good health, sponsor, and the sponsor will be liable to be
• be of good character, pursued by the Crown or the third party to
• have no dependent children, recover this debt.
• have a reasonable standard of English – see
The process
English Language Information (INZ 1060) for full
requirements and information on how to meet Step one: You submit an Expression of Interest
them (alternatively, you can agree to pre-
purchase English for Speakers of Other You complete and send us an Expression of
Languages (ESOL) tuition), and Interest form. You can get the form from either
• have an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen the INZ website, www.immigration.govt.nz, or
or resident and who is an eligible sponsor. an INZ office. In this you will tell us about your
health, character, age, English language ability,
You will also need to meet the requirements of as well as the specific requirements of the
either tier one or tier two, and your adult child Parent Category. When it is complete, submit it
will need to be an eligible sponsor. to INZ with the correct fee. You will need to
indicate which tier you are submitting your
The two-tiered system
Expression of Interest under.
To gain residence under the Parent Category,
Please note that INZ will not accept fees
you will need to meet the requirements of one
payments made in cash. You should not send
of two tiers:
any other documentation with your Expression
Tier one: You must either have a guaranteed of Interest form.
lifetime minimum income of at least
NZ$27,584 per annum for a single person or Step two: We select Expressions of Interest
NZ$40,523 per annum for a couple, or bring Please note that as at 12 May 2017, no
at least NZ$500,000 of settlement funds to selections from the Pool will be made until
New Zealand, or your sponsoring adult child must further notice.
have an income of at least NZ$65,000 per annum
by themselves or NZ$90,000 per annum when Expressions of Interest are submitted into the
combined with the sponsor’s partner. Pool under either tier one or tier two. Periodically,
Expressions of Interest are selected from the
Tier two: You must have a sponsoring adult child Pool as follows:
who has an income of at least NZ$33,675 per
• first, Expressions of Interest in tier one, in date
annum and, if you have other adult children,
order, and
they must all live lawfully and permanently
outside the country that you live in. • second, Expressions of Interest in tier two,
in date order.
Eligible sponsors
Expressions of Interest can stay in the Pool
Amongst other things, to be an eligible sponsor for an extended period of time.
your adult child must:
Once your Expression of Interest has been
• have been a New Zealand resident or citizen selected from the Pool and checked, you may
for at least three years before you apply be invited to lodge an application for residence.
for residence, Checking will generally involve assessing
• be ordinarily resident in New Zealand and have whether the claims you have made in your
spent at least 184 days in New Zealand in each form appear to meet the requirements of the
of the three years immediately before you category. If your Expression of Interest is
apply for residence, and selected from the Pool under tier one but later
• for the first ten years of your residence in returned to the Pool by an immigration officer
New Zealand, undertake to ensure your under tier two (this will happen if you do not
maintenance in New Zealand and that you appear to meet the requirements of tier one,
have suitable accommodation, and to pay for but appear to meet the requirements of tier
any costs of your deportation or repatriation, two), your Expression of Interest will be placed
should it be necessary. in the queue in tier two based on the date you
originally submitted the Expression of Interest.

14 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

If, while your Expression of Interest is in the Dependent Child Category
Pool, there is a change in your circumstances or
in the information that you have provided to This category is for people who are dependent
INZ, you must inform INZ. If any information is children of a New Zealand citizen or resident and
found to be false or misleading, we may choose who want to live permanently in New Zealand.
not to invite you to apply for residence or your Some children of New Zealand citizens or
residence application may be declined should residents are New Zealand citizens by birth or
you be invited to apply based on that information. descent. If you are a citizen, you do not need to
apply for residence. Check the Department of
Step three: We invite you to apply for residence Internal Affairs website (www.dia.govt.nz) for
information about who is a New Zealand citizen.
If you have been successful, we send you:
You may be granted residence if:
• an official Invitation to Apply for residence
• your original Parent Category Expression • you are aged 17 or younger
of Interest Form (INZ 1202) • you are single, and
• a Parent Category Residence Application • your parent(s) are lawfully and permanently
(INZ 1206), and in New Zealand.
• a Sponsorship Form for Residence (INZ 1024). OR
At this stage, you will need to check and • you are aged 18 to 24 years
complete the Expression of Interest form, • you are single
complete the application form, and get your • you have no children of your own, and
sponsor to complete the sponsorship form.
Send us all of these forms, with the appropriate • your parent(s) are lawfully and permanently
application fee and immigration levy* and all in New Zealand.
the necessary documentation to support your If you are aged 21 to 24 years, you must be
application, such as passports, birth certificates totally or substantially reliant on an adult for
and financial documents (original documents financial support (whether or not that adult is
or certified copies). your parent, and whether or not you are living
with that adult).
Step four: Decision-making
You must also:
We assess your application for residence against
residence instructions. We also fully verify • have been born or adopted before your
everything you have told us in your Expression parents applied for residence, and been
of Interest. Depending on whether you are able declared on your parents’ application for
to demonstrate you meet the requirements of residence, or
the Parent Category, you may have your • have been born after your parents applied
application approved in principle. for residence, or
• have been adopted by your parents as a result
Step five: Granting residence of a New Zealand adoption or an overseas
If your application is approved in principle, you adoption recognised under New Zealand law.
will need to submit your passport to Your parent(s) are lawfully and permanently
Immigration New Zealand. If you have applied in New Zealand if they are:
under tier one and have stated you will meet the
requirements by bringing settlement funds to • citizen(s) of New Zealand, or
New Zealand, you will also need to transfer the • the holder(s) of a New Zealand residence class
settlement funds to New Zealand. Once you visa, or
have done this, you may be granted residence. • citizen(s) of Australia living in New Zealand.

Sibling Adult Child Category Custody or visitation rights

The Sibling Adult Child Category closed on 15 If you are under 16 years of age and you have a
May 2012. No new applications can be accepted. parent living outside New Zealand, your parent
in New Zealand must provide evidence that the
custody or visitation rights of the parent living
outside New Zealand will not be breached by
your coming to live in New Zealand.

* This application fee and immigration levy is in

addition to the fee for your Expression of Interest.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 15

 INTERNATIONAL/ Eligible sponsors
HUMANITARIAN STREAM An eligible sponsor is a New Zealand citizen
or resident who:
The purpose of the International/Humanitarian
• was granted residence in New Zealand because
stream is to fulfil New Zealand’s obligations as a
they were a refugee
good international citizen. Included in this
stream are United Nations mandated refugees • has never sponsored any other principal
who are approved under the annual Refugee applicant under the Refugee Family Support
Quota and asylum seekers who claim refugee Category (or Refugee Family Quota), and
status in New Zealand. • is in New Zealand.
The categories in this stream are: Tier one sponsors for the queue
• Refugee Family Support Category
Tier one sponsors may sponsor their parent,
• Pacific Access Category grandparent, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew,
• Samoan Quota Scheme niece, adult sibling or adult child, and that
• victims of domestic violence, and person’s partner and/or dependent children.
• various other special policies for Tier one sponsors must:
specific countries. • be an eligible sponsor, and
• have no ‘family member’ who is eligible for
Refugee Family Support Category residence in New Zealand under any other
category of residence instructions, and either
The Refugee Family Support Category allows for • have no ‘immediate family’ living lawfully and
a number of refugees’ family members to be permanently in New Zealand, or
considered for residence in New Zealand each year.
• be the ‘sole carer’ of a dependent relative or
You may only lodge an application for residence
relatives in New Zealand and have no other
under this category if your New Zealand
‘immediate family’ in New Zealand (the cared-
sponsor’s registration was selected from the tier
for relative must also have no other
one or two queues and you are invited to apply.
‘immediate family’ in New Zealand).
You (and your partner and/or dependent
children) may be granted residence under the Tier two sponsors for the queue
Refugee Family Support Category if: Tier two sponsors may sponsor their parent,
• your sponsor meets the ‘eligible sponsor’ adult sibling, adult child, or grandparent (if that
requirements (see below) grandparent is the sponsor’s legal guardian), and
• you are not eligible for residence in that person’s partner and/or dependent children.
New Zealand under any other residence Tier two sponsors must:
category
• have been a New Zealand citizen or residence
• you are healthy and of good character, and class visa holder for at least three years before
• you apply within 12 months of us writing lodging their registration
to your sponsor advising that their • have spent a total of 184 days or more in
registration has been selected from New Zealand in each of those three years
the tier one or two queue.
• have no other ‘family member’ who is eligible
Two-tier registration system for residence in New Zealand under any other
category of residence instructions, and
for sponsors
• be an eligible sponsor.
Registrations from tier one sponsors will be
given first access to the available places under For more information about lodging a
the Refugee Family Support Category by entry registration under the Refugee Family Support
into the tier one queue. Category, see Refugee Family Support Category
Tier One Sponsor Registration Form (INZ 1094),
Registrations are selected from the tier one Refugee Family Support Category Tier Two
queue in order of their entry into that queue Sponsor Registration Form (INZ 1192), or visit
until the available number of places is met. www.immigration.govt.nz.
If the annual number of places available is not Note: potential applicants who are in New Zealand,
filled by people included in tier one registrations must be here lawfully and not have claimed
from the queue, INZ will call for registrations refugee status in New Zealand to be eligible
from tier two sponsors within a specified period. to be included in a sponsor’s registration.

16 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

Pacific Access Category Acceptable offers of employment
The offer of employment can be for either you
The Pacific Access Category (PAC) allows a quota or your partner (if they are included in your
of Fijian, Tongan, Tuvaluan, and Kiribati citizens application, and you meet all the requirements
to be granted residence in New Zealand of our Partnership Instructions). Offers of
each year. employment may be in either a skilled or
This category is run by ballot. You can only apply unskilled occupation but at least one must be:
for residence under this category if you lodged • for ongoing employment (permanent,
a registration during the annual registration indefinite or for a stated term of at least
period and your registration was drawn from the 12 months)
ballot. (The only exception to this is if the annual
• for full-time work (averaging at least 30 hours
quota of places is not filled by applicants drawn
per week)
from the ballot. See ‘Unfilled places’.)
• current at the time we assess your application
You may qualify for residence under this and grant you residence
category if:
• genuine
• you are a citizen of Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu or Kiribati • for a position that is paid by salary or wages
• your registration is drawn from the ballot (positions of self-employment or payment by
• you lodge your application for residence under commission and/or retainer are not acceptable)
the PAC within eight months of us writing to • accompanied by evidence of full or provisional
you advising that your registration has been registration, if full or provisional registration is
drawn from the ballot (or within the time required by law to take up the offer, and
frame specified by INZ) • compliant with relevant employment law in
• you were aged between 18 and 45 years force in New Zealand. This includes having a
inclusive at the registration closing date written employment contract specifying the
• you or your partner have an acceptable offer necessary terms and conditions, and meeting
of employment in New Zealand holiday, special leave, minimum wage, and
• you meet a minimum level of English occupational health and safety requirements.
language ability
Minimum income requirement
• you meet a minimum level of income (if you
have dependent children), and If you have dependent children you will have
• you meet health and character requirements. to show that you will meet a minimum income
requirement to ensure that you can support
Any partner and/or dependent children who are yourself and your dependants if you come to
included in your application must also meet New Zealand. If your partner has a job offer,
health and character requirements. their salary or wages may also be taken into
If you are a citizen of Tonga, you must either be account. For the current figure, go to
in Tonga or lawfully in New Zealand when you www.immigration.govt.nz.
apply for residence under this category. You If you and your partner both have an offer
must also have been born in Tonga or born of employment in New Zealand, both of your
overseas to a Tongan citizen who was born wages or salaries may be taken into account
in Tonga. when determining if the minimum income
If you are a citizen of Kiribati, you must either be requirement is met, provided (at the time the
in Kiribati or Fiji or lawfully in New Zealand when application is assessed) an immigration officer
you apply for residence under the PAC. You must is satisfied that your relationship meets our
also have been born in Kiribati or born overseas minimum requirements for recognition of
to a Kiribati citizen who was born in Kiribati. partnerships (see Partnership Instructions).
The second offer of employment must meet
If you are a citizen of Tuvalu, you must either be all the requirements for an acceptable offer of
in Tuvalu or Fiji or lawfully in New Zealand when employment except the requirement that the
you apply for residence under the PAC. You must offer be for full-time employment.
also have been born in Tuvalu or born overseas
to a Tuvaluan citizen who was born in Tuvalu.
If you are a citizen of Fiji, you must either be in
Fiji or lawfully in New Zealand when you apply
for residence under the PAC. You must also have
been born in Fiji or born overseas to a Fijian
citizen who was born in Fiji.

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 17

 Minimum English Any partner and/or dependent children included
language requirement in your application must also meet health and
character requirements.
For you to meet the minimum level of English
ability, an immigration officer must be satisfied You must be in Samoa or lawfully in New Zealand
that you are able to read English, understand when you apply for residence under the Samoan
and respond to questions in English, and Quota instructions.
maintain an English language conversation You must also meet the acceptable offers of
about yourself, your family or your background. employment, minimum income and minimum
English language requirements set out in the
Unfilled places Pacific Access Category section.
If the annual quota of places under the PAC
is not filled by applicants drawn from the ballot, Unfilled places
we will call for residence applications from If the annual quota of places under the Samoan
any citizens of the PAC countries who are Quota Scheme is not filled by applicants drawn
lawfully in New Zealand with a job offer. from the ballot, we will call for residence
Applicants must also meet all other residence applications from any citizens of Samoa who
criteria, as listed above. are lawfully in New Zealand with a job offer.
For more information see our Registration Form Applicants must also meet all other residence
for Pacific Access Category (INZ 1092). criteria, as listed above.
For more information see our Samoan Quota
Scheme Registration Form (INZ 1086).
Samoan Quota Scheme
The Samoan Quota Scheme allows a quota of Victims of domestic violence
Samoan citizens to be granted residence in
New Zealand each year. We can help you if you have been living in
The Samoan Quota Scheme is run by ballot. a relationship with a New Zealand citizen or
You can only apply for residence under these resident that has ended because that person
instructions if you lodged a registration during was violent towards you and you are unable
the annual registration period and your to go back to your home country.
registration was drawn from the ballot. (The only
exception to this is if the annual quota of places Pitcairn Islanders
is not filled by applicants drawn from the ballot.
(See ‘Unfilled places’ below). New Zealand recognises that there are few
You may qualify for residence under the Samoan employment opportunities on Pitcairn Island.
Quota Scheme if: If you are a Pitcairn Islander, you can apply for
residence in New Zealand if you have a firm offer
• you are a citizen of Samoa of employment in New Zealand and are of good
• you were born in Samoa or born overseas health and character.
to a Samoan citizen who was born in Samoa
• your registration is drawn from the ballot
For more information
• you lodge your application for residence under
the Samoan Quota Scheme within eight If you would like further information or the
months of us writing to you advising that your necessary forms for any of the residence
registration has been drawn from the ballot categories referred to in this guide, please
(or within the time frame specified by INZ) visit our website www.immigration.govt.nz.
• you were aged between 18 and 45 years If you’re interested in the Skilled Migrant
inclusive at the registration closing date Category, you can register an Expression
• you or your partner have an acceptable offer of Interest online.
of employment in New Zealand If you have questions about any of the
• you meet a minimum level of English information in this guide:
language ability • see our website www.immigration.govt.nz/
• you meet a minimum level of income if you contactus, or
have dependent children, and • telephone our call centre on 0508 558 855
• you meet health and character requirements. (within New Zealand).

18 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019

Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019 – 19
20 – Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand – May 2019