🇳🇿Visa options for New Zealand
New Zealand offers 75 visa types across 6 categories — from skilled-worker and study visas to family, investment, digital-nomad, and permanent-residency pathways. 38 lead to PR; 56 don't require a job offer. Here's every New Zealand visa tracked by VisaMatch.
75visa types
6categories
38PR pathways
56no job needed
Check which New Zealand visas you qualify for →
Visa categories in New Zealand
All New Zealand visa types
Work (24)
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Primary work visa for those with a full-time job offer from an accredited employer in NZ.
Business Investor Work Visa
Work visa allowing Business Investor Category applicants to work in NZ while their residence application is being processed.
Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa
Work visa for private domestic staff employed by diplomatic or consular personnel posted to NZ.
Entrepreneur Work Visa
Work visa for establishing and operating a business in NZ.
Essential Skills Work Visa
Former work visa for skilled workers with job offers.
Fishing Crew Work Visa
Work visa for foreign crew members working on NZ-flagged or chartered fishing vessels operating in NZ waters.
Global Impact Visa
Work visa for entrepreneurs accepted into the Edmund Hillary Fellowship programme.
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Former work visa for occupations on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa
Free work visa for migrant workers who have been exploited by their employer.
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
Work visa enabling partners of NZ citizens or residents to work in NZ.
Partner of a Student Work Visa
Work visa for partners of eligible student visa holders.
Partner of a Worker Work Visa
Work visa for partners of eligible NZ work visa holders.
Post Study Work Visa
Open work visa for international graduates who have completed eligible NZ qualifications.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa
Limited visa for workers from Pacific Island nations to carry out seasonal work in NZ's horticulture and viticulture industries under the RSE scheme.
Religious Worker Work Visa
Work visa for religious workers coming to NZ to carry out religious duties for an established religious organisation.
Short-term Graduate Work Visa Working & Skilled
New 6-month open work visa for international graduates whose qualification does NOT qualify them for the existing Post-Study Work Visa, giving time to look for work and potentiall…
Silver Fern Job Search Visa
Former job search visa for young skilled workers.
South Island Contribution Work Visa
Work visa for individuals who have worked in the South Island and want to continue contributing to the region.
Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa
Work visa for individuals coming to NZ for a specific purpose or event: sports, entertainment, religious work, contractual obligations, or international relations.
Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa
Work visa for seasonal workers from any country to fill labour shortages in NZ horticulture and viticulture when RSE workers are insufficient.
Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
Former work visa for highly talented individuals sponsored by accredited employers.
Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
Work visa for individuals with exceptional talent in arts, culture, or sports who are sponsored by a recognised national organisation in NZ.
Working Holiday Extension Work Visa
Extends a Working Holiday Visa by an additional 3 months if the holder has completed 3 months of specified seasonal work in horticulture or viticulture.
Working Holiday Visa
Allows young people (typically 18-30, some schemes 18-35) from 46+ partner countries to holiday and work in NZ for up to 12 months (some schemes 23 months).
Residence Permit (19)
2021 Resident Visa Residence
One-off residence visa for individuals present in NZ on 29 September 2021.
Active Investor Plus Visa Residence
Residence visa for investors.
Business Investor Category Resident Visa Residence
Residence visa for business investors with significant capital to invest in NZ business ventures.
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa Residence
Permanent residence for care workers who have worked 24 months in designated care roles (Aged/Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, etc.) with accredited employers.
Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa Residence
Residence visa for key employees of businesses relocating to NZ, allowing them to live and work permanently.
Entrepreneur Resident Visa Residence
Residence for individuals self-employed in NZ for at least 6 months on Entrepreneur Work Visa, or 2 years on another visa.
Investor 1 Resident Visa Residence
Former residence visa for investors with NZD 10 million.
Investor 2 Resident Visa Residence
Former residence visa for investors with NZD 3 million.
New Zealand Citizenship by Grant Residence
Citizenship acquired through application after meeting residency, language, and character requirements.
Pacific Access Category Resident Visa Residence
Ballot-based residence for citizens of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, and Fiji aged 18-45.
Permanent Resident Visa Residence
Allows indefinite residence with unlimited travel.
Samoan Quota Resident Visa Residence
Ballot-based residence for Samoan citizens.
Second or Subsequent Resident Visa Residence
For individuals whose NZ resident visa has expired.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa Residence
Points-based resident visa for skilled workers with job offers or employment from accredited employers.
South Island Contribution Resident Visa Residence
Residence visa for holders of a South Island Contribution Work Visa who have completed the required period of employment in the South Island.
Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1) Residence
Permanent residence pathway for skilled workers with job offers in high-demand Green List Tier 1 occupations.
Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa Residence
Resident visa for holders of a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa who have completed 24+ months of employment with an accredited employer.
Transport Work to Residence Visa Residence
Residence pathway for transport sector workers (bus drivers, truck drivers) who have worked 24 months in designated transport roles in NZ.
Work to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 2) Residence
Residence pathway for skilled workers after completing 24 months of work in a Green List Tier 2 in-demand occupation in NZ.
Visitor & Transit (18)
Business Visitor Visa Visitor
Short-term visa for visiting New Zealand for specific business purposes such as attending meetings, exploring business opportunities, or negotiating contracts.
Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for dependent children of NZ citizens or residents to visit New Zealand for up to 9 months.
Child of a Student Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for dependent children (aged 19 or under) of student visa holders to visit NZ and study for up to 3 months per calendar year.
Child of a Worker Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for dependent children of eligible work visa holders to visit NZ and study for up to 3 months per calendar year.
Group Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for groups traveling to New Zealand for the same purpose with identical travel arrangements.
Guardian Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for parents or legal guardians of children holding current New Zealand student visas to reside in and provide care for their child.
Interim Visa Visitor
Automatically granted visa allowing individuals to remain lawfully in NZ while their application for another temporary visa is being assessed.
Limited Visa Visitor
Temporary entry visa for visiting NZ for an express purpose: events, ceremonies, medical treatment, short-term study, family emergencies, or RSE work.
Medical Treatment Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for individuals visiting New Zealand specifically for pre-approved medical treatment or consultation.
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) Visitor
Electronic pre-travel authorization for citizens of 60+ visa waiver countries, Australian permanent residents, and certain other travelers.
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for parents and grandparents with children or grandchildren who are New Zealand citizens or residents.
Parent Boost Visitor Visa Visitor
A visitor visa for parents of NZ citizens or residents, providing longer stays.
Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents to visit New Zealand.
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for partners of NZ student visa holders to visit and stay for the same duration as their partner's student visa.
Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa Visitor
Visa for partners of eligible NZ work visa holders to visit and stay for the same duration as their partner's work visa.
Temporary Retirement Category Visitor Visa Visitor
A visitor visa for retirees who want to retire temporarily in New Zealand.
Transit Visa Transit
Visa allowing passage through Auckland International Airport to another country.
Visitor Visa Visitor
General visa for visiting New Zealand for tourism, visiting family and friends, or short-term study up to 3 months.
Humanitarian & Protection (5)
Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Resident Visa (CORS) Humanitarian
Resident visa for refugees nominated by approved community organisations or UNHCR.
Refugee and Protection Status Claim Humanitarian
Claim process for individuals seeking refugee or protected person status in NZ.
Refugee Family Support Resident Visa Humanitarian
Residence pathway for individuals sponsored by family who arrived in NZ as refugees or protected persons.
Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa Humanitarian
Free permanent residence pathway for victims of family violence within a partnership with a NZ citizen/resident.
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa Humanitarian
Free work visa for victims of family violence who were in a partnership with a NZ citizen/resident, or hold a partnership-based visa.
Study & Training (5)
Dependent Child Student Visa Student
Enables parents with valid work or student visas to bring dependent children to study at primary or secondary schools in NZ.
Exchange Student Visa Student
Visa for individuals accepted into approved student exchange schemes to study full-time in NZ.
Fee Paying Student Visa Student
Visa for international students who finance their studies independently, through family support, loans, or partial scholarships.
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa Student
For applicants with a foreign government scholarship seeking to pursue full-time studies in NZ exceeding 3 months.
Pathway Student Visa Student
Enables international students to undertake up to 3 courses, one after another, on a single visa while completing a structured study pathway.
Family (4)
Dependent Child Resident Visa
Residence visa enabling NZ citizens or residents to bring their dependent children to live permanently in NZ.
Parent Resident Visa
Ballot-based residence visa for parents of NZ citizens or residents.
Parent Retirement Resident Visa
Permanent residence for parents of NZ citizens/residents who meet financial thresholds.
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
Permanent residence visa for partners of NZ citizens or residents who have been living together in a genuine, stable relationship for at least 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to New Zealand
How many visa types does New Zealand offer?
New Zealand offers 75 visa types across 6 categories — covering work, study, family, investment, and permanent-residency pathways.
Can I move to New Zealand without a job offer?
Yes — 56 of New Zealand's 75 visa types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include points-based skilled visas, investor and entrepreneur visas, digital-nomad and remote-worker visas, study visas, and family-sponsored pathways.
Does New Zealand offer a pathway to permanent residency?
Yes. 38 of New Zealand's visa types lead — directly or indirectly — to permanent residency. PR typically requires meeting time-in-country, income, language, and eligibility thresholds specific to each visa.
Which New Zealand visa is right for me?
It depends on your goal. Employment-based visas suit skilled workers with qualifications and experience; family visas fit those with a spouse or close relative in New Zealand; investor and golden visas target entrepreneurs with capital; study visas cover education; digital-nomad and retirement visas suit remote workers and retirees. VisaMatch checks your profile against every New Zealand visa in seconds.
How do I check my eligibility for New Zealand?
Use VisaMatch's free eligibility checker. Enter your nationality, age, occupation, income, and education, then select New Zealand. You'll see every New Zealand visa you qualify for, with links to the official government source for each.
New Zealand in depth
Air qualityGoodAQI 10
ClimateTemperate maritimeMild year-round with regional variation between the North and South Islands.
Infrastructure7.8/10Good infrastructure and high-quality healthcare.
Cost of living78Index, NYC = 100
SafetySafeLow crime, among the safest countries in the world.
Internet85 MbpsGood
Political stabilityStableHighly stable parliamentary democracy.
Inflation2.8%Purchasing power index 78
Immigrant friendliness4.0/5The Skilled Migrant points system and Green List give clear, well-defined pathways for in-demand occupations.
Income tax39%Top marginal rate on income above NZD $180,000; other bands are 10.5%, 17.5%, 30%, and 33%.
Median salaryNZD 69,836/yr
Healthcare accessUniversal (publicly funded, Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora)Conditional — only holders of a work visa valid for 2 years or more get access to publicly funded healthcare on the same basis as citizens (from their first day in NZ); those on shorter-term work visas must pay privately or hold private insurance, though accident-related treatment is always covered by ACC regardless of visa status.
Best-performing job sectors
Agriculture/agritech — +3% YoY, core economic strength
Tourism — +6% YoY
Tech — +5% YoY, growing Auckland/Wellington scene
Curated research pass, sourced per field (tax, salary, healthcare and legal figures cite an official or named source) — not live data. Refreshed periodically, not real-time.
See full New Zealand insights →
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