New Zealand goals
Identify your goal first — then see the visa paths and preparation steps that fit your situation. Each goal page explains which visas apply, what documents you need, and how to plan your timeline.
9 goals · 6 common situations
Browse by goal
New Zealand immigration goals — working, joining family, or studying — each involve different visa pathways. Pick a goal to see matched visas, documents, and timelines.
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Select your goal and we'll filter situations that match.
Showing 9 of 9 goals
Popular goals
Work in New Zealand
AEWV, working holidays, and skilled migration pathways.
Study in New Zealand
Student visas, pathway student visas, and post-study work options.
Partner Visa New Zealand: Requirements, Costs & How to Apply
Partner of a worker or resident visa: relationship evidence, work rights, and the path to residence.
Become a New Zealand Citizen
Pathways to New Zealand citizenship, eligibility requirements, the citizenship ceremony, and what it means to be a New Zealand citizen.
Work
Skilled Migration to New Zealand
The Skilled Migrant Category: points system, expressions of interest, and employer-sponsored pathways to residence.
Working Holiday in New Zealand
Working holiday visa for New Zealand: eligible countries, age limits, seasonal work, and extending your stay.
Planning tips
- Start with your goal, not a specific visa — the right pathway depends on your situation.
- Check processing times early — some routes take months and affect your planning window.
- Gather documents before applying — missing paperwork is the most common cause of delays.
- Verify official sources — rules change often; always cross-check with government websites.
VisaMind provides guidance based on official sources — not legal advice or eligibility decisions.
FAQ
New Zealand immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit New Zealand
AEWV is a 3-step process: the employer must first be Accredited (Standard, High-Volume, Triangular, or Franchisee), then post a Job Check confirming the role meets pay and conditions, and then the worker applies for the visa. The visa is issued in entry-level, intermediate, or senior tier based on the role's pay band and the worker's qualifications, with maximum durations of 5 years.
Applicants need to score at least 6 points across these categories: qualification (3–6 points depending on Bachelor's, Master's, PhD), occupation registration (for regulated occupations), income premium (1–3 points based on income above the median wage), and NZ-acquired work or study experience. Reaching 6 points and having an accredited skilled job in NZ qualifies for an Expression of Interest (EoI), which is then assessed.
PSWV gives graduates of recognised NZ qualifications 1–3 years of open work rights, depending on the level and location of study. Master's and PhD graduates get the full 3 years; Level 7 graduates get 3 years; Level 4–6 get 1 year (with location-based rules). PSWV is often used as a bridge to AEWV and SMC residence applications.
The Parent Resident category is a ballot-based system: parents of NZ citizens or residents register an Expression of Interest, and INZ runs ballots multiple times per year selecting EoIs at random subject to a sponsorship-income test. The sponsoring child must meet a New Zealand-based income threshold, scaled by the number of parents being sponsored. The Parent Retirement category is income- and investment-based with no ballot.
Permanent residents can apply for citizenship after 5 years of New Zealand residence, with at least 240 days in NZ in each of those 5 years and 1,350 total days. Applicants must have intent to remain in NZ, demonstrate good character, and have sufficient English-language skills. Dual citizenship is permitted.
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