Permanent Resident Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Permanent Resident Visa
Stay	Indefinitely
Cost	From NZD $315
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Eligibility timing	Resident visa held two years
Work rights	Work indefinitely
Study	Study indefinitely
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Travel indefinitely
Citizenship	May qualify after five years
Family sponsorship	Partner and dependent children
Visa record	eVisa issued if approved
Visa conditions	No visa conditions

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Purpose

This visa lets eligible resident visa holders live permanently in New Zealand and travel freely in and out of the country.

Eligibility

You must:

• Have held a resident visa for at least 2 consecutive years.
• Hold a current resident visa, or one expired no more than 90 days ago.
• Have met any conditions on your resident visa.
• Show commitment to living permanently in New Zealand.
• Be of good character.

The 2-year period starts on:

• Your first arrival in New Zealand, or
• The resident visa issue date if already in New Zealand.

Commitment to New Zealand

You must provide evidence under at least 1 of 5 approved commitment pathways.

For the time-based pathway, you must have been in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each of the last 2 years. Immigration New Zealand uses travel records as evidence.

Rights and Travel

The visa allows you to:

• Live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
• Travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely.
• Hold the visa without conditions.

Keep the visa in a valid passport to travel. If your passport expires, transfer the visa to your new passport before travelling.

Family Provisions

You may include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger.

Family included in original resident application

A non-principal applicant may be included if they were included in the original resident application.

• Only the principal applicant must meet the commitment requirement.
• Each family member is assessed for identity and character.
• Non-principal applicants normally apply with, or after, the principal applicant.
• Exceptions may apply after separation, death, citizenship, or family violence.

A former dependent child must apply independently if no longer dependent.

Family not included originally

Each newly added family member must independently:

• Have held a resident visa continuously for 24 months.
• Meet identity, character and commitment requirements.

Adding family members does not guarantee their residence.

An exception applies to certain dependent children of Active Investor Plus or Investor 1 or 2 Resident Visa holders.

Required Documents

Submit:

• Passport or certificate of identity details-page scan.
• Passport pages with visas and entry/exit stamps.
• One acceptable photo for each applicant.
• Certified English translations of non-English documents.
• Scanned copies of original documents.
• Evidence of resident visa status and conditions compliance.
• Evidence of commitment to New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand may later request:

• Medical examination or chest X-ray evidence.
• Police certificates.
• Evidence that children are financially dependent.

Police certificates, if requested, must be less than 6 months old when submitted.

How to Apply

1. Gather identity, eligibility and commitment evidence.
2. Obtain certified translations where required.
3. Create or log into an online Immigration New Zealand account.
4. Complete the online application.
5. Upload documents and pay applicable fees.
6. Check your online account for updates.
7. Respond if further information is requested.

Immigration New Zealand emails the decision. If approved, you receive an eVisa copy.

Cost and Processing

• Fees start from NZD $315.
• Processing time: 80% within 2 weeks.
• Final costs and process information depend on passport nationality.

Arrival Requirement

Everyone entering New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

You may start the digital declaration anytime, but can submit it only from 24 hours before travel begins. A paper form is available for travellers unable to complete it online.

Important Warnings

• Provide complete documents to help avoid delays.
• Enter identity details exactly as shown in your passport.
• Incorrect identity details may delay, decline, or affect entry.
• If outside New Zealand when resident visa travel conditions expire, the resident visa also expires.
• A criminal conviction or security risk may result in refusal.