Residence pathways

Residence visas are are the most strictly assessed, and problems that may have been overlooked at earlier stages are much more likely to cause residence applications to be declined. INZ treats residence as a last line of defence, so they need to be certain that a person meets the criteria before they approve the visa. There are many pathways to residence in New Zealand and a successful application depends wholly on proving beyond reasonable doubt that you fit the criteria of the visa category that you wish to apply for.

Even when going through the same general pathway, for example partnership or working, the relevant law at the residence stage is different to the temporary entry stage. This could mean that issues which have never been raised before suddenly become very important to your application, or it could mean that residence becomes impossble until these criteria are met or evidential requirements are cleared. In some cases for example with health or character, it may even mean that residence is not possible.

The best way to ensure a clear pathway through to residnece is to plan the previous stages with this in mind. There are many things whcih can be done at the work visa stage (or earlier) to make residence a little smoother.

The categories and pathways for residence in New Zealand

The category that we would apply under will depend on the strength of meeting the criteria for the specific category. There are preferrable options as well, so it may be worth pursuing a plan to meet the criteria for a specific category rather than applying under a less favourable category. Each category is organised to suit the type of peopel that the New Zealand Government wants to settle in New Zealand.

* Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
* Family Categories - Partnership, Parent, Parent Retirement and Dependent Child categories
* Business Categories - Entrepreneur Work Visa -> Entrepreneur residence visa, Migrant investment Categories 

Category summary

The information here is to help you get an idea of what category may be possible for you. We prepare a full assessment for all clients to make sure the chances of success are as high as possible. If you think you meet the general criteria listed below, it means that you may have a chance, but residence visa applications can be long and difficult so it pays to get professional advice before you start so you can progress as smoothly as possible. 

*Note that the criteria published here is correct at the time of publication, but as criteria can change from time to time, please check with us if you are not sure.

1. Skilled Migrant Category

• English level needs to be IELTS 6.5 or more
• Skilled job - Must meet definition of skilled employment [SM7.10] must be currently working in NZ or have a real job offer
• Have good health and good character
• You have suitable qualifications and / or experience for your employment
• Age under 55

Meeting the points threshold is also necessary and there are a variety of ways to do this, so not having occupational registration for example does not mean that all is lost.

2. Green list / Skilled residence

• You must have a current job with an accredited employer
• meet the minimum income requirements
• May have a requirement to work for an accredited employer for 2 years
• May have an English requirement
• Greenlist Tier one or two requirements

3. Family Categories

   a. Partnership Category

• You need to be in a stable and genuine partnership with a New Zealand citizen, or holder of a residence visa
• meeting the criteria of this category shouldn't be too hard, but proving it can be very difficult
• NZ partner must not have supported more than one other person for residence before and must have no criminal history involving sexual or domestic violence crime 

  b. Parent retirement category

• You need to have an adult child who is legally resident in New Zealand
• have (NZD) $1,000,000 to invest in NZ
• have (NZD) $500,000 in settlement funds
• have an annual income of at least (NZD) $60,000

 c. Parent category

• You need to hav a NZ citizen or resident child earning over the income threshold
• EOI system is randomly drawn
• You cannot have any dependent children

 4. Business categories

  a. Entrepreneur Work Visa -> Entrepreneur residence visa

The EWV by itself is not a residence visa, but a special type of work visa that allows self employment. If after a set period of time the applicant meets certain criteria for successful establishment of a business, then it is possible to apply for an Entrepreneur residence visa.

As a category this is complex and take s alot of planning. INZ generally treat this category strictly but problems usually only occur when clients want to pursue a direction that is outside the approved business plan. It is also important to distinguish the business aspects and immigration aspects of the application. The main problems we see then to be that clients may be very good at business, but arrange the application only with the considerations of the business and not of immigration.

• Minimum capital investment of $100,000 (excluding working capital)
• Applicants must have proper business experience
• A detailed business plan must be produced and prove clearly the value of the business 
• At least 120 points based on factors such as: number of years self employed, management experience, number of NZ workers employed, age, business based outside of Auckland, approved export business turnover, capital investment and unique or new products for NZ. 
• English - IELTS 4 or above

After 6 months or after 2 years of being self-employed in their business, the applicant may apply for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa. The difference is basically in how much money you have invested in your business and how many full time jobs you have created for New Zealanders. After 6 months you need to have:

• Invested over $500,000 in your business
• Created at least 3 ongoing full time jobs for NZers
• Acceptable standard of health and chararcter

Applying after 2 years all you need to have done is met the targets in your business plan

  b. Migrant investment categories

The investment categories are mainly concerned with having the required threshold of funds of maintenance and funds for investment. It is important to prove ownership of these funds, invest them in apprved investments and transfer them through the banking system