Frequently Asked Questions about New Zealand Immigration
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How long does it take to get a permanent residence visa?
Processing times vary widely from branch to branch at Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and also depend on the type of visa being applied for. As a general rule however, it takes most applicants for permanent residence in New Zealand 6 to 12 months (including the time required to prepare the application and qualification recognition before lodgement) to receive a decision. This may be quicker if applicants have a qualifying job offer. Spousal and temporary work visas tend to be a little quicker at 2 to 6 months, while applicants requiring professional registration can take an
additional 6 to 12 months to process.
Once approved, how long before I must move?
Normally, your arrival must be within one year from the date of your medical tests or police certificates, which occur during the processing of your residence visa application. So, if you deduct part of the official processing time, you will generally be left with 6 to 12 months to land in New Zealand. The exception is for temporary visas, such as work visas, in which case you may only
have a number of months to enter the country.
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Will the immigration authorities or Embassy help me to prepare my application and make sure that everything is correct before applying?
NO. This type of service is no longer provided by the Government. The authorities exist to enforce immigration law, make decisions on residence applications and to issue residence visas. Although basic information and application forms are available, the authorities are unable to provide
independent advice and personalised guidance on your specific case.
Only a professional New Zealand migration consultant can provide this kind of service.
Can the immigration authorities refuse my application?
YES. A surprisingly large number of applicants are unaware how strictly the immigration regulations are enforced and are often unnecessarily refused or delayed due to technical errors on their application or by submitting the wrong supporting documentation. So it is advisable to seek the professional guidance and independent advice of a migration consultant BEFORE lodging an application for residence. Consultants exist to help you find the best way through the immigration maze and are highly effective in doing so.
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My migration consultant has assessed me as being eligible for residence in New Zealand. If I apply without his or her help, can I be certain of success?
NO. Although you may fundamentally qualify under the immigration policy, you are by no means guaranteed of success. In order to be approved, your application must be prepared in accordance with the prevailing immigration regulations and submitted together with the appropriate supporting documentation. The ways in which to do this are not always clearly set out by the immigration authorities and can result in many applicants presenting their cases wrongly, inevitably leading to refusal. So you are strongly advised to seek the assistance of a migration consultant for the entire residence visa process.
Why do most people use an officially-recognised migration agent to double-check their visa application?
Mostly to protect themselves from the HIGH FAILURE RATE: up to 50% of people in the immigration process under some visa classes FAIL to successfully receive their permanent residence visas - due to application errors, unbearable delays, misunderstandings or a variety of other technical reasons. This compares to an average success rate of over 95% for those applicants that apply through an officially-recognised migration agent.
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What is a permanent resident?
Essentially, a residence permit is a right affixed into your passport granting you the permanent right to live and work in a country. As a resident, you are eligible for state medical care, but must be resident in New Zealand for at least two years before qualifying for social welfare assistance (i.e. Unemployment benefits). Temporary residents (those on student and work visas) are generally not entitled to medical care or social welfare assistance at any time and are generally unable to remain in the country for longer than 4 years. These applicants are recommended to take out private health insurance.
When I migrate, will I lose my current passport?
NO, not necessarily. Firstly, you will enter as a permanent resident which does not affect your current citizenship status. After five years you can apply for New Zealand citizenship (but this is not obligatory). The New Zealand Government universally allows dual-nationality (i.e. the holding of two passports), so you could retain your current passport and obtain a New Zealand passport as well. Having said this, you must check that your own country of citizenship allows dualnationality, as this right must be reciprocal. If not, you will need to surrender your other passport in order to become a New Zealand citizen.
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