What happens after you are granted residence in New Zealand?

After obtaining residence status in New Zealand, while your residence allows you an indefinite stay, it only provides you travel conditions for two years.

Should you want to convert the residence to a permanent residence, you will need to meet the necessary requirements to obtain permanent residence.

New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa

A New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa allows you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, with no travel restrictions. It is an important milestone that provides long-term security and flexibility, allowing you to leave and re-enter New Zealand freely without affecting your visa status.

Most migrants become eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding a Resident Visa for at least two years and demonstrating their commitment to New Zealand.

Our immigration team can help you assess your eligibility and prepare your application to ensure the strongest possible outcome.

What Is the Difference Between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa?

A Resident Visa allows you to live and work in New Zealand but includes travel conditions, usually valid for two years. This means your ability to leave and re-enter New Zealand may be restricted.

A Permanent Resident Visa, however, has:

  • No travel restrictions

  • No expiry date

  • The ability to live in or outside New Zealand indefinitely

Permanent residence gives you greater freedom and long-term stability.

Who Can Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Have held a New Zealand Resident Visa for at least two years

  • Have met all conditions of your Resident Visa

  • Meet character requirements

  • Can demonstrate your commitment to living in New Zealand

You must show evidence of your commitment by meeting at least one of the commitment criteria set by Immigration New Zealand.

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Commitment to New Zealand Requirements

To qualify for permanent residence, you must meet at least one of the following five commitment pathways.

1. Spending Enough Time in New Zealand

You must have been physically present in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each of the two years immediately before applying

Immigration New Zealand keeps records of your travel history, so you usually do not need to provide this evidence yourself.

2. Becoming a New Zealand Tax Resident

You may qualify if you can demonstrate New Zealand tax residence status.

This requires:

  • Being present in New Zealand as a resident for at least 41 days in each of the two years before applying, and

  • Being officially recognised as a New Zealand tax resident

Evidence may include:

  • Inland Revenue statements, or

  • Confirmation of Tax Resident Status endorsed by Inland Revenue

3. Investing in New Zealand

You may qualify if you have invested at least NZD $1,000,000 in New Zealand for a minimum of two years in acceptable investments.

Evidence may include:

  • Bank documentation

  • Property ownership documents

  • Share certificates

  • Business ownership and valuation reports

4. Owning or Operating a Business in New Zealand

You may qualify if you have:

  • Established or purchased a business in New Zealand at least 12 months ago, or

  • Purchased at least a 25% share in an existing New Zealand business

The business must be actively trading and benefiting New Zealand.

Evidence may include:

  • Financial statements certified by a New Zealand chartered accountant

  • Confirmation from an accountant that the business is actively operating

  • Business ownership and registration documents

5. Establishing a Base in New Zealand

You may qualify if you have established a permanent base in New Zealand.

This requires:

  • Living in New Zealand as a resident for at least 41 days in the year before applying, and

  • Spending at least 184 days in New Zealand across the two years before applying

You must also demonstrate at least one of the following:

  • Owning and living in a home in New Zealand, or

  • Working full-time in New Zealand for at least 9 months, or

  • Being self-employed or actively involved in a New Zealand business

Evidence may include:

  • Property ownership documents

  • Employment agreements and payslips

  • Employer confirmation letters

  • Business ownership and operational documents

At Pier Law we encourage you to begin the process of pursuing permanent residency as soon as possible, if you qualify. If you leave your application to late, you may risk losing your residence status altogether.

If you feel that you may not be able to meet any of the requirements above, speak to us so we can discuss alternatives.

There are many different paths to becoming a permanent resident or citizen so get in touch with us today and we can help you determine the best pathway for you and your family.

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Permanent residence provides significant long-term benefits, allowing you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely without travel restrictions. You have the freedom to leave and return to New Zealand at any time and may also live overseas without affecting your status. Permanent residents can access healthcare, education, and other public services, subject to eligibility requirements. This status also provides greater stability and security, and supports your pathway toward New Zealand citizenship.

Pathway to New Zealand Citizenship

Permanent residence is an important step toward becoming a New Zealand citizen. Most applicants become eligible for citizenship after holding residence status for at least five years, provided they meet other requirements such as physical presence and character.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Zealand Permanent Residence allows you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, with no restrictions on travel in and out of the country.
A Resident Visa has travel conditions that limit how long you can leave and re-enter New Zealand. This is typically for a duration of two years. A Permanent Resident Visa allows unrestricted travel and has no expiry date.
You can usually apply if you have held a New Zealand Resident Visa for at least two years and have met all visa conditions including staying in New Zealand for 184 days in a year for a period of two years.
Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances, but most Permanent Resident Visa applications are processed within two to three weeks.
No. A Permanent Resident Visa allows you to travel and live overseas indefinitely. There may be instances in which you may lose permanent residence in the event of criminal offending.
If your partner and children were included in your original residence application, you can include them in your permanent resident visa application as well.
You are not restricted to living in New Zealand as you have indefinite travel conditions. The benefits of a holding permanent resident status is largely similarly to holding residence status where you can access public healthcare, education, and other services, subject to eligibility requirements.
Yes, a permanent resident visa may be cancelled due to fraud, providing false or misleading information, or serious character concerns/criminal convictions.
In theory, you need to have held residence status for 5 years to apply for NZ citizenship (other requirements apply). This does not necessarily need to be 5 years of holding permanent residence status. So long as you have held residence for 5 years, whether it is as a permanent resident or not, you will meet one of the requirements for NZ citizenship.

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Muhammad Bin Kamarudin

Senior Associate | Solicitor

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