Moving to New Zealand
6 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
Keep your job, work remotely
New Zealand digital nomad (visitor) option
Visitor visa with remote-work allowance (visitor visas applied for on or after 27 January 2025)
Remote employees and freelancers working for overseas employers or clients who want a few months in New Zealand; no income threshold.
- What you need
- Remote work only for employers or clients outside New Zealand; no work for NZ employers and no goods or services to NZ businesses or people.
- Must be a genuine visitor; remote work can accompany another purpose such as a holiday or visiting family.
- Not for
- Anyone wanting to live in New Zealand long term
- Working for New Zealand clients
- Where you apply
- Online. US, Canadian and UK citizens normally visit visa-free with an NZeTA. The Immigration NZ page refers to visitor visas; whether NZeTA visitors are covered was not confirmed.
- How long it takes
- Not applicable.
- First permit
- Length of the visitor stay (visa-waiver lengths by nationality not confirmed in this pass).
- Renewal
- Further visitor stays subject to visitor rules.
- Family
- Each family member visits on their own visitor status.
Retire or live on savings
New Zealand retirement visa
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa
People aged 66 or over with NZD 750,000 to invest in New Zealand for 2 years, NZD 500,000 to live on and NZD 60,000 a year of income.
- What you need
- Aged 66 or over.
- NZD 750,000 or more to invest in New Zealand for 2 years. (NZD 750,000)
- NZD 500,000 or more in maintenance funds to live on. (NZD 500,000)
- Annual income of NZD 60,000 or more. (NZD 60,000 a year)
- Acceptable travel and/or health insurance for the whole stay.
- Not for
- Anyone who wants to work
- People seeking permanent residence
- Where you apply
- Online. Apply to Immigration New Zealand.
- How long it takes
- Not stated.
- First permit
- Up to 2 years.
- Renewal
- Further visas possible if requirements are still met (not confirmed in this pass).
- Family
- A partner can be included and must meet the same requirements.
A job offer
New Zealand skilled migrant visa
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Skilled workers aged 55 or under with a job or offer from an accredited New Zealand employer who reach 6 points through qualifications, registration or pay (pay of 3x the SMC wage threshold, NZD 105 an hour, alone gives 6).
- What you need
- Aged 55 or younger when you apply.
- 6 skilled resident points: 3-6 from qualification, occupational registration or income, plus up to 3 for skilled work experience in New Zealand.
- Income route: pay of 1.5x, 2x or 3x the SMC wage threshold earns 3, 4 or 6 points. 3x is currently NZD 105.00 an hour.
- Working for, or a job offer from, an accredited employer: at least 30 hours a week, permanent or fixed-term of 12+ months (or contracts of 6+ months).
- Speak and understand English (citizenship, study or approved test less than 2 years old).
- Not for
- People over 55
- People without an accredited-employer job or offer
- Where you apply
- Online. Online with Immigration New Zealand.
- How long it takes
- Not shown on the page.
- First permit
- Resident visa with indefinite stay.
- Renewal
- Not needed; a permanent resident visa can follow.
- Longer term
- 0Citizenship after about 5 years.
- Family
- Partner and dependent children can usually be included (not detailed in the extract read).
Invest
New Zealand investor visa
Active Investor Plus Visa (Growth and Balanced categories)
Investors with at least NZD 5 million to invest for 3 years (Growth) or NZD 10 million for 5 years (Balanced), for residence with very short minimum time in New Zealand.
- What you need
- Growth category: at least NZD 5 million invested for at least 36 months. (NZD 5,000,000)
- Balanced category: at least NZD 10 million invested for at least 60 months. (NZD 10,000,000)
- Time in New Zealand as a resident: Growth 21 days over 36 months (reduced by 14 days per extra NZD 1 million, up to 42 days); Balanced 105 days over 60 months.
- Police certificates for everyone aged 17 or over in the application.
- Not for
- Investors with under NZD 5 million
- Where you apply
- Online. Apply to Immigration New Zealand.
- How long it takes
- Not stated.
- First permit
- Resident visa allowing indefinite stay (with conditions during the investment period).
- Renewal
- Not applicable.
- Longer term
- 0Citizenship after about 5 years.
- Family
- Partner (genuine and stable, living together 12+ months) and dependent children aged 24 or under.
Study
New Zealand student visa
Fee Paying Student Visa
People accepted by a New Zealand education provider who can show NZD 20,000 a year for living costs plus tuition.
- What you need
- Tertiary or English study of 1 year or more: NZD 20,000 for each year (NZD 1,667 a month for shorter study). (NZD 20,000 a year)
- Travel and health insurance from course start until the visa expires (PhD students exempt).
- Offer of place from an education provider and tuition paid.
- Not for
- People who need full-time work during term
- Where you apply
- Online. Online with Immigration New Zealand.
- How long it takes
- Not stated.
- First permit
- Period of paid study, up to 4 years.
- Renewal
- New application for further study.
- Family
- Not covered in the extract read.
Treaties and special cases
New Zealand working holiday visa
Working Holiday visa (United Kingdom, Canada and USA schemes)
UK citizens aged 18 to 35 (up to 36 months), Canadians aged 18 to 35 (up to 23 months) and Americans aged 18 to 30 (up to 12 months) who want to travel and work in New Zealand.
- What you need
- UK: 18 to 35. Canada: 18 to 35. USA: 18 to 30.
- Canada and USA: at least NZD 4,200 for living expenses. UK: at least NZD 350 for each month of the stay. (NZD 4,200)
- UK scheme cap: 15,000 visas a year. No cap stated on the Canada and USA pages.
- Not for
- US citizens over 30
- People who have held a New Zealand working holiday visa before (USA scheme)
- Where you apply
- Online. Online through Immigration New Zealand, in English.
- How long it takes
- Not stated on the pages read.
- First permit
- UK: 12, 23 or 36 months. Canada: 12 or 23 months. USA: up to 12 months.
- Renewal
- Not renewable as a working holiday; one visa per scheme for the USA (UK and Canada not checked).
- Family
- Working holiday visas are individual.
- Your passport
- UK: 18-35, up to 36 months. Canada: 18-35, up to 23 months. USA: 18-30, up to 12 months.