By RELOCATE SUPPORT

Moving to New Zeland
Step-by-step Immigration Guide

Moving to New Zealand

New Zealand, a picturesque island nation in the Pacific Ocean, offers turquoise lakes, golden beaches, and lush forests, making it a sought-after destination for expats in search of a unique lifestyle and exceptional quality of life. The country consistently ranks well in various areas, including income, education, and healthcare. Moreover, New Zealand provides multiple pathways to achieving permanent residency. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to move to New Zealand.

Do You Need a Visa to Move to New Zealand?

Your need for a visa to enter New Zealand largely depends on the duration and purpose of your stay. Tourists from certain countries may not require a visa for short visits. However, for longer stays or plans to become a resident, you'll typically need a long-stay visa leading to permanent residency. To ensure compliance, it's essential to consult the New Zealand embassy or consulate in your home country.

Moving to New Zealand: Visa Requirements for US Citizens

If you're a US citizen planning an extended stay in New Zealand (over 3 months), obtaining a visa is mandatory. For short visits, an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) may suffice. For prolonged stays, such as for work, study, family reunification, investment, or retirement, specific long-stay visas aligned with your relocation purpose are essential.

Pathways to Relocate to New Zealand

To embark on your journey to New Zealand, explore these pathways:

  1. Moving to New Zealand to Work: For stays exceeding 12 months, a work visa is typically required. New Zealand offers a range of work visas, and some may lead to permanent residency. Eligibility hinges on your skills, qualifications, and their alignment with New Zealand's workforce needs.
  2. Moving to New Zealand to Study: Planning to study in New Zealand for over three months? A student visa is the gateway. Admission to an NZQA-approved educational institution is a prerequisite. It's vital to verify your study visa's work and family reunion provisions as they vary.
  3. Moving to New Zealand for Family Reunification: Non-citizens can reunite with family members residing in New Zealand via family visas. Eligible family members include spouses, parents, children (biological or adopted), dependent children (up to 24 years old), and grandparents.
  4. Moving to New Zealand to Invest: Affluent individuals seeking permanent residency can explore investment visas. These visas mandate substantial financial investments, with criteria varying based on the chosen investment visa.
  5. Moving to New Zealand for Retirement: If your retirement dream includes New Zealand, retirement visas are available. Specific criteria, including age and financial thresholds, apply. Typically, dependent children are not eligible under retirement visas.

Pros and Cons of Moving to New Zealand

New Zeland offers numerous advantages and some challenges:

Can I Move to New Zealand With Pets?

Moving your pets (cats and dogs) to New Zealand involves adhering to specific biosecurity requirements:

  • Your pets must be microchipped.
  • They must meet the minimum age requirements specified in veterinary certification.
  • Pets, except those from Australia, should have resided in their home country for at least six months before arriving in New Zealand.
  • Your pets must have proof of treatment against specific risk organisms, including external and internal parasites, rabies, canine influenza, and more (depending on the species).

To import your pets, you'll need various documents, such as an import permit issued by MPI, a veterinary certificate, original laboratory reports, and an importer dog breed declaration.

However, some animals are not allowed to enter New Zealand, including live birds, ferrets, guinea pigs (unless from Australia), mice and rats (except for laboratory animals), snakes, and certain dog breeds like American Pit Bull Terriers, Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, and Perro de Presa Canario.

Popular Expat Areas in New Zealand

If you're considering a move to New Zealand, you might wonder where the best places to settle are. New Zealand offers a range of cities and towns that cater to different preferences. Here are some popular destinations for expats:

Wellington:

Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is a preferred choice for many expats. It's a great place for individuals, couples, and families. The city boasts excellent educational and career opportunities, making it attractive to career-oriented expats. However, it's important to note that Wellington can be relatively expensive, particularly in terms of housing.

Auckland:

Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is a modern metropolis on the North Island. It's a hub of business, education, and entertainment. Expats in Auckland enjoy diverse job prospects, top-notch healthcare, and a vibrant culinary scene. Similar to Wellington, Auckland's living costs, especially housing, can be high.

Queenstown:

Located on the South Island, Queenstown is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and outdoor activities, making it a haven for adventure enthusiasts. While Queenstown offers a unique lifestyle, it may not be the best choice for those seeking career opportunities outside of the tourism sector. Its remote location necessitates access to a vehicle.

Napier:

Napier, situated on the eastern coast of the North Island, is known for its vineyards, scenic coastline, and leisurely pace of life. This charming city provides career options in a relaxed environment. Napier boasts a lively dining scene with fine restaurants, bars, and cafes. It's also more budget-friendly compared to larger cities.

Wanaka:

Wanaka, a picturesque resort town on the South Island, offers stunning views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. It's an ideal spot for nature lovers and hikers. Despite its smaller size, Wanaka provides job opportunities, making it an appealing choice for families and couples.

FAQ

Can I Import My Personal Belongings to New Zealand?

If you plan to bring your personal belongings to New Zealand without incurring import duties, certain conditions must be met:

  1. You should be present in New Zealand when your belongings arrive.
  2. It is mandatory to declare the contents of your household goods or personal belongings to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
  3. You must possess a document that permits you to reside in New Zealand. This could be a New Zealand or Australian Passport, a New Zealand permanent resident, returning resident, or resident visa, a permanent resident visa issued by the Commonwealth of Australia Government, a work visa valid for 12 months, a work visa issued under specific policies, or a visitor visa valid for at least 3 years.
You are permitted to bring various items duty-free, including furniture, chinaware, glassware, silverware, cutlery, household appliances, electronics, personal computers, sound systems, personal sporting equipment, household linen, bedding, trailers, musical instruments, and more.

However, certain items are prohibited from entering New Zealand, such as indecent material (videotapes, films, records, CD-ROMs, and publications), weapons (e.g., flick knives, butterfly knives, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters), weapons disguised as other objects, and equipment for using cannabis or methamphetamine.

Relocating to New Zealand: Application Process

Upon identifying the suitable visa category for your New Zealand adventure, the application process typically entails completing requisite forms, compiling necessary documentation, and, in some instances, submitting an online application via the official New Zealand Government immigration website. Thoroughly reviewing specific requirements for each visa category is paramount. When necessary, applications should be lodged through the New Zealand embassy or consulate in your home country.

How Long Do I Need to Live in New Zealand to Win Citizenship?

To obtain citizenship in New Zealand as a foreigner, you must have lived in the country a minimum of 5 years under a resident visa. During these five years, you must have been physically present in New Zealand for at least 1350 days, with at least 240 days in each of those years.

Additionally, you must be proficient in the English language and have a clear criminal record. Please note that if you meet the citizenship criteria, you can apply for citizenship by naturalization in New Zealand. The application can be completed online, in person, or by post.
Other ways you can obtain citizenship in New Zealand include:

  • Citizenship by Birth: If you were born in New Zealand before January 1, 2006.
  • Citizenship by Descent: If you were born overseas and have a parent who was a citizen of New Zealand by birth or grant at the time you were born.

Does New Zealand Allow Dual Citizenship?

New Zealand allows dual citizenship or multiple citizenship. But, many countries do not recognize dual citizenship; therefore, if you come from a country that does not allow dual citizenship, you must choose which citizenship you want to renounce and which one you want to keep. However, if you want to become a citizen of a country that does not allow dual citizenship, you can give up your New Zealand citizenship anytime. You can keep both citizenships if you come from a country that allows dual citizenship.

Can I Lose My New Zealand Citizenship?

Yes, the Minister of Internal Affairs can take away your New Zealand citizenship. This means that once you lose your New Zealand citizenship, you will no longer be able to use the New Zealand passport and might be required to leave the country.

The Minister of Internal Affairs can revoke your citizenship for different reasons depending on how you acquired your New Zealand citizenship. For example, if you got your New Zealand by grant, you can lose your citizenship if you got citizenship in another country and voluntarily acted against the interests of New Zealand or acquired your New Zealand citizenship by committing fraud, hiding or presenting false information, etc.

๏ปฟCan My Children Have Dual Citizenship in New Zealand?

Your children can have dual citizenship in New Zealand; however, this depends on the other countryโ€™s (your home country) rules. For example, if your home country allows dual citizenship, your child can keep the other countryโ€™s citizenship and New Zealand citizenship.

But, if you come from a country that does not allow dual citizenship and your child is born in New Zealand, they need to wait until they reach the age of 18 to give up their New Zealand citizenship and become citizens of your home country.

Your child is considered a citizen of New Zealand automatically if they are born in New Zealand and at least one of the parents was a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand at the time of birth.

Useful Information Before Moving to New Zealand