Australian Resident Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Australian Resident Visa
Stay	Indefinitely
Cost	NZD $0
Eligibility timing	Apply on arrival only
Eligibility	Australian citizen or permanent resident
Processing	Granted at New Zealand border
Work rights	Any employer or occupation
Study	Permitted
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Expires each time you leave
Citizenship (NZ)	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Visa record	Not stated in the source
NZeTA	Required for Australian permanent residents
IVL	Not required

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Purpose

This visa allows eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

Australian temporary residents cannot get this visa.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident.
• Arrive in New Zealand before applying; you cannot apply before travel.
• Be of good character.
• Provide proof of identity through your passport.

Australian permanent residents travelling on a foreign passport must hold either:

• A valid Australian Permanent Resident Visa, or
• A valid Australian Resident Return Visa.

If your Australian visa was issued electronically, ensure it is linked to the passport you will travel on.

Character requirements

You may not meet character requirements if you:

• Have a criminal conviction.
• Have been deported, removed or excluded from another country.
• Are considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest.

This may include registered sex offenders or people associated with a gang.

If you are unsure whether you meet character requirements, apply for a visa before travelling to New Zealand.

NZeTA and levy

• Australian permanent residents must hold an NZeTA before travelling.
• Australian citizens do not need an NZeTA.
• Neither Australian citizens nor Australian permanent residents pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

How to apply

1. Confirm you meet the Australian status and character requirements.
2. If you are an Australian permanent resident, obtain an NZeTA before travel.
3. Complete an arrival card while travelling to New Zealand.
4. Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
5. On arrival, Immigration New Zealand checks your identity, Australian status, character and intentions.
6. If approved, you are granted a resident visa at the border.

There are no immigration fees for the visa.

Arrival requirements

Everyone must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• Air travellers: from 24 hours before the journey begins.
• Sea travellers: from 24 hours before the ship leaves its last overseas port for New Zealand.
• A paper declaration is available if you cannot complete it online.

Customs and Biosecurity also assess entry requirements.

Rights in New Zealand

With this visa, you can:

• Live in New Zealand indefinitely.
• Work in any occupation for any employer.
• Study in New Zealand.

Travel conditions

You may travel to and from New Zealand as often as you wish. However, your resident visa expires each time you leave New Zealand.

You may apply for a variation of travel conditions allowing travel for up to 24 months without affecting your New Zealand residence status.

Important warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Do not meet character requirements.
• Refuse a requested photo, fingerprints or iris scan.
• Provide false or misleading information in a visa application, to an immigration officer or on an arrival card.

Immigration New Zealand may stop you travelling at check-in or refuse entry on arrival if you do not meet good-character requirements.

Permanent residence

Australian citizens and residents who want to remain in New Zealand permanently may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, subject to its requirements, including requirements for bringing family.