How many visa pathways are available for New Zealand?

There are 5 visa pathways available for New Zealand, including 4 routes that lead to permanent residency.

What is the cheapest visa option for New Zealand?

The lowest government application fee for a New Zealand visa is $280 USD. Costs vary significantly by visa type, so compare all pathways to find the best fit for your situation.

Can I get permanent residency in New Zealand?

Yes. New Zealand has 4 visa pathways that offer a route to permanent residency. Eligibility depends on your qualifications, work experience, and the specific visa category.

How long does it take to get a visa for New Zealand?

Processing times for New Zealand visas vary by pathway. The fastest options can be processed in as little as 1 month, though timelines depend on your application type and individual circumstances.

Moving to New Zealand

5 visa pathways4 routes to PRFrom $280Updated 2026

New Zealand runs one of the most pragmatic immigration systems in the developed world. The Skilled Migrant Category uses a points-based selection like Canada or Australia, but with markedly lower scores accepted. For green-list occupations the country offers "Straight to Residence" — permanent residency on day one, no temporary stage. Tier 6 of the r/IWantOut wishlist for a reason.

Find my best New Zealand visa

✦Straight to Residence visa grants PR immediately for green-list roles (no temporary stage)
✦Accredited Employer Work Visa is the main employer-sponsored route, faster than equivalents in AU
✦Working Holiday Scheme open to citizens of 45+ countries (18–30 years, up to 23 months)
✦Strong public healthcare + cleanest air + low population density compared to AU peers

Skilled Worker(3)

Straight to Residence

STR

Permanent residency granted immediately on arrival for green-list occupations — no temporary stage required. One of the most generous skilled-worker pathways in the developed world.

1–3 months$4,300 feePR in direct

Skilled Migrant Category

SMC

Points-based selection for skilled workers. Lower threshold than Canada Express Entry or AU SkillSelect. Path to PR after meeting points + employment requirements.

6–12 months$4,300 feePR in direct

Accredited Employer Work Visa

AEWV

Employer-sponsored work visa requiring the employer to be NZ-accredited. Two-year initial visa, renewable, leads to Skilled Migrant residency.

2–4 months$460 feePR in ~3yr

Entrepreneur(1)

Active Investor Plus

AIP

Investor visa requiring NZD $5M into NZ businesses (or $15M passive). Active management of investment counts as fewer dollars required.

6–10 months$16,800 feePR in direct

Working Holiday(1)

Working Holiday Visa

WHV

12–23 month working holiday visa for citizens of 45+ partner countries (UK, Canada, US, EU members, Japan, etc.). Age 18–30 (35 for some countries).

1–2 months$280 fee

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Which New Zealand visa is right for you?

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