Immigration New Zealand Logo
Skip to main content for this page

Go to homepage - Immigration New Zealand - Te Ratonga Manene.

In New Zealand, it's 5:17 p.m. on Thursday 20 June
  • Ask a question
  • Contact us
Home > Knowledge base

How can I become a New Zealand resident?

To become a resident of NZ, you must meet the requirements of at least one residence category available in our current residence program.

There are specific requirements listed for each of these categories, and beside those, each person applying for residence (which includes partners and dependant children as well) must also meet health and character requirements.

Firstly, you should assess yourself against our residence policies, to see which (if any) residence category may best apply to you. Our Self-Assessment Guide may be downloaded and printed for this purpose.

Once you have found the residence category best suited to you, please click on that residence category on our Live pages, for a detailed description on requirements and steps to apply.

This answer was last updated on 1 October, 2012.

Did this answer your question?

Related Questions

  • How do I obtain New Zealand Citizenship or Passport?
  • Who can live in New Zealand?
  • Are there any age restrictions for residence applicants?
  • What health requirements must I meet?

  • Apply now
  • Find a visa
  • About New Zealand
  • For employers
  • Settlement services
  • Business services

Search knowledge base

Browse by Topic

  • Partner of a NZ Citizen/Resident
  • Online Services
    • Expression of Interest
    • Immigration Website
    • Student visa
    • Troubleshooting
    • Working Holiday
  • Privacy
  • Information for immigration advisers/lawyers
  • Visa Application Centres
    • Asia
    • Pacific region
  • Information for NZ Employers
  • Study in NZ
    • Children of workers or students
    • General information
    • Guardians of students
    • Students wanting to work
  • Work in NZ
    • Other work topics
    • Work to Residence
    • Working Holiday
  • Visit NZ
  • Business and Investment
    • Investing in NZ
    • Running a business in NZ
  • Live in NZ
    • Australian citizens/residents
    • Family Categories
      • Adult Child/Adult Sibling
      • Dependent Child
      • Parent of NZ citizen or resident
      • Partner of NZ citizen or resident
      • Partner/spouse of NZ citizen or resident
    • Information for new residents
    • Other residence categories
    • Other residence categories
    • Residents wanting to travel
    • Skilled Migrant
      • Expression of Interest (EOI)
      • Invitation to Apply (ITA)
    • Work to Residence Policy
  • Life in New Zealand
  • Useful Information
    • Application Process information
    • General topics

Still can't find an answer?

If you still can't find an answer to your question within the Knowledge Base, you can send us an online query.

Go to www.newzealand.govt.nz. Contact us l About us l Legal l  Site map