Who can be included in an Application for Residence?
The applicant's partner and dependent children can be included in one application. "Partner" includes wife or a de facto partner who has lived with the applicant in a genuine and stable relationship for over 2 years. Dependent children include unmarried children aged 19 years of age or younger, who may be considered dependent if they are totally or substantially reliant on their parents for support, and have no children of their own.
Parents, siblings and homosexual partners cannot be included in an application, and must make a separate application in their own right, which may be reliant on the original principal applicant's case being successful.
If you are engaged to a non-New Zealander, the situation is different. A fiancé (e) in a situation where the couple have not lived together for at least 2 years, will not meet the de facto policy, and therefore cannot be included in an Application for Residence, and must apply separately later, under either Family Policy, or enter New Zealand on a Visitor's Visa prior to marriage.
What is a principal applicant?
The principal applicant is the applicant for residence, rather than the spouse or children, if applicable. That person must meet the requirements of policy, and is the person who completes and application from as the applicant. The applicant may be either person in a relationship, providing that person meets policy. The person, who is principal applicant, then must meet the requirements of the Returning Resident's Visa Policy, in order to give his/her other family members full residence status.
What is a close family member?
For Family Category applications, a close family member includes parents, siblings (brothers and sisters) and children over the age of 18, who are able to financially support the applicant/s.
Under General Skills Policy and Business Investor Policy, a close family member includes parents, siblings and children, who have had permanent residence for over 3 years, and be living in New Zealand at the time the application is lodged.
Humanitarian policy expands the close family member concept to also include grandparents and close extended family members.
How are points for work experience calculated?
Points for work experience are calculated on the basis of 1 point for every 2 complete years' work experience that is relevant to the qualification claimed. Note that the work must be relevant, in the mind of the immigration officer, to the qualification for which points have been claimed. Work experience must be full-time which, for immigration purposes, is considered to be 30 hours or more per week. Work experience at less than 30 hours per week can be accumulated to the point that it equates to a full-time equivalent. Extra work experience points can be claimed for work experience in New Zealand.
Is there a minimum amount of money I must transfer to New Zealand?
In terms of the General Skills and Business Investor Category, if you have claimed points under the settlement category for assets, then the level that you have claimed for, must be transferred to New Zealand; it will be either $NZ 100,000 or $NZ 200,000. Other than that, there is no requirement for you to transfer funds to New Zealand, but you must be aware that new changes to New Zealand law mean that as a new arrival, you will not be entitled to welfare or unemployment benefits for 2 years from the date of your arrival.
Is there policy that allows an applicant to "retire" in New Zealand?
New Zealand does not have a "retirement" policy. If an applicant cannot meet any of the standard policies, then the will not be able to move on a permanent basis to New Zealand. At best, they could come as visitors, and spend 6 out of 12 months in New Zealand, or a maximum of 9 out of 18 months here.
Is there a maximum age limit for people wanting to apply for immigration?
As the Principal Applicant under the General Skills category you must be aged 55 years or younger while Principal Applicants in the Investor category may be 84 years or younger to apply.
What is an IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The New Zealand Immigration Service chose IELTS because it is an international test that is available worldwide. IELTS tests results must be less than 2 years old when you lodge your application.
My qualifications require assessment by the NZQA, who is the NZQA?
NZQA stands for New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The NZIS provide independent evaluations of overseas qualifications. An assessment of your qualifications generally takes approximately 12 weeks.
When I have my Residence Visa does that guarantee I will gain employment?
Unfortunately a visa or permit does not guarantee you will obtain immediate employment upon reaching New Zealand.
What is the difference between a Visa and a Permit?
A Permit endorsement in your passport allows you to be in New Zealand while a Visa is an endorsement in your passport that allows you to enter (or re-enter) New Zealand.
How long will it take for the Immigration Service to process my application?
Processing times vary greatly with each branch of the NZIS and depend on staff workloads at the time your application is received. The NZIS target is approximately three months however we would advise you to be prepared for the assessment process to take up to 6-12 months.
How long is a Residence Visa valid for travel to New Zealand?
Residence Visa's issued by the New Zealand Immigration Service are normally current for travel to New Zealand for 12 months from date of issue. People who fail to travel to New Zealand while their visa remains current must submit another residence application.
What happens if I cannot arrive in New Zealand within the correct timeframe?
Any family members in the application, who do not meet the requirement to arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of the approval in principle date, will have their Residence Visa lapse, and thereby be unable to take up permanent residence. A new application would need to be lodged for that person, and they would need to meet policy as it stood on the date they applied. It is important to note that each person's requirement is only to enter for a short time, and they can leave once they have completed their RRV immigration formalities.
How do I get a Returning Residents Visa?
Upon arriving in New Zealand for the first time with your current Residence Visa you will be issued with a Returning Residence Visa, this is valid for 2 years.
What happens if my RRV expires when I am out of the country?
If you are the principal applicant in an Application for Residence, and your RRV expires when you are out of the country, your residence will lapse. If you are a non-principal applicant, then your residence is reliant upon the principal applicant either having a valid RRV, or a valid Residence Permit (i.e. is in New Zealand). In that case, the non-principal applicant's RRV can be made current, to equate with the principal applicant's status. Such a person may, however, be required to complete fresh medicals and police clearances.
Can I buy a property in New Zealand, and if I do, will it entitle me to New Zealand residence?
As a non-resident, a person may buy property in New Zealand up to 1.25 hectares in area size. Over that size, Overseas Investment Commission approval must be obtained, before the purchase will be allowed. As a New Zealand resident, there are no restrictions on property purchases. Please note that the owning of property as an overseas citizen, does not entitle the owner to any exemptions for meeting residence policy. On its own, ownership of land in New Zealand does not qualify a person for residence.
Is there any legal requirement to register with any authority in New Zealand?
No. You do not need to advise a local authority where you are living, or what you are doing.
How do I open a bank account in New Zealand?
You can, as a foreign national, open a bank account in New Zealand, and transfer funds in and out of the country, unimpeded by Government authorities. You will need to provide your passport, in order to open the account.
What is New Zealand Citizenship and when can I apply for that?
Citizenship and Residency are quite different. As a resident you retain your country’s citizenship, after you have resided in New Zealand for a minimum of 3 years you may apply for New Zealand citizenship.
