Individual & Family

New Zealand offers a range of residence pathways for individuals and families seeking to build their future in New Zealand. Each pathway has specific eligibility criteria and requirements, making it important to identify the option that best suits your circumstances.

We provide professional immigration advice and assistance across a wide range of residence categories, including:

• Skilled Residence – Skilled Migrant Category, Green List Work to Residence and Straight to Residence pathways
• Family and Partnership Residence – Partner of a New Zealander and other eligible family-based pathways
• Parent Residence – Parent Resident Visa for eligible parents of New Zealand citizens or residents
• Business and Investment Residence – Business and investment-based residence pathways
• Religious Worker Residence – for eligible religious workers
• Care Workforce and Transport Work to Residence – for eligible workers in specified occupations
• Other Special Residence Pathways – including specific pathways available under New Zealand immigration policy

Our experienced team can assess your circumstances, explain the relevant residence options and assist with preparing a well-supported application in accordance with current Immigration New Zealand requirements.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a key work visa pathway for skilled migrants who have a full-time job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.

To qualify, you must have a genuine job offer that meets Immigration New Zealand requirements, including the required hours of work, pay, skills and/or qualifications for the role. The position must also meet the applicable job check requirements.

The AEWV process involves three key stages:

1. Employer Accreditation – the employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand to employ migrant workers.
2. Job Check – the employer must have the position approved through the job check process.
3. Work Visa Application – once the employer and job have been approved, the migrant worker can apply for the AEWV.

Your visa conditions will specify the employer, job and location where you are permitted to work. The duration of the visa depends on the occupation, pay rate and other applicable requirements.

An AEWV may also provide a pathway towards residence for eligible migrants, depending on their occupation, employment, qualifications and the requirements of the relevant residence category.

The Work to Residence Visa provides a pathway to New Zealand residence for eligible skilled workers employed in a Tier 2 role on the Green List.

To qualify, you generally need to be 55 years or younger, have a job or job offer with an accredited employer, meet the specific requirements for your Green List occupation, and have completed at least 24 months of eligible full-time work in New Zealand in a Tier 2 Green List role. You must also meet the applicable wage, qualification or registration, health, character and English language requirements.

The 24 months of eligible work must generally be completed within the 30 months immediately before applying for residence. Once you meet the requirements, you can apply for a Work to Residence Visa, which allows you to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

Students who successfully complete an eligible qualification in New Zealand may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, allowing them to remain in New Zealand and gain valuable work experience.

The duration and work rights of the visa depend on the qualification completed and the applicable Immigration New Zealand requirements. Depending on the qualification, eligible graduates may be able to work in New Zealand for up to three years.

The Post-Study Work Visa provides graduates with an opportunity to gain New Zealand work experience and explore longer-term employment and residence pathways.

Recently, the New Zealand government has made changes to post work visa rules and it’s important that students seek professional advice before starting out their application.

The Student Visa allows international students to study full-time at an approved education provider in New Zealand. It may also allow eligible students to work while studying, subject to the conditions of their visa.

To apply for a Student Visa, students generally need an offer of place from an approved education provider, evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves and pay for their studies, and appropriate health and character documentation.

The visa conditions and duration depend on factors including the course of study, education provider, tuition fees and the length of the programme.

Studying in New Zealand can provide access to internationally recognised education and, for eligible graduates, potential pathways to post-study work and longer-term opportunities in New Zealand.

We can offer applicants guidance on the process for a positive result.

The Visitor Visa allows eligible visitors to travel to New Zealand for holidays, to visit family and friends, or for other short-term purposes. Visitors can enjoy New Zealand’s attractions and, in some circumstances, undertake short-term study.

A Visitor Visa generally allows you to stay in New Zealand for a limited period, subject to the conditions and duration granted with your visa. Visitors must meet Immigration New Zealand’s requirements, including demonstrating that they are a genuine visitor, have sufficient funds for their stay, and meet applicable health and character requirements.

A Visitor Visa does not generally allow you to work in New Zealand. If you intend to work, study for a longer period, or stay for another purpose, you may need to consider a different visa option.

The team at New Start NZ offer full guidance and support.

The Specific Purpose Work Visa is for people who need to come to New Zealand to work for a specific purpose or event for a defined period of time.

This visa may be suitable for people coming to New Zealand for business assignments, sporting events, performances, music and entertainment, specialist work, installations, or other specific purposes.

Applicants must meet the requirements for their specific purpose or event and provide evidence of the work they will undertake and the time required to complete it. The visa conditions will specify the work, employer and location permitted in New Zealand.

The length of the visa depends on the specific purpose or event and the applicable Immigration New Zealand requirements.

New Zealand offers partnership-based visa options for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents, as well as partners of eligible temporary visa holders.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, or Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa.

Applicants must demonstrate that they are in a genuine and stable partnership and meet the relevant Immigration New Zealand requirements. The type and duration of visa available will depend on your partner’s immigration status, the nature and duration of your relationship, and your individual circumstances.

Partnership-based visas can provide eligible partners with the opportunity to visit, work, live and study in New Zealand, subject to the conditions of the visa granted.