Make New Zealand Your Permanent Home

How to Get PR in New Zealand

Quick answer: To get permanent residency in New Zealand, you first obtain a Resident Visa. Most skilled workers do this through the Skilled Migrant Category or the Green List, usually with a job at an accredited New Zealand employer. After holding your Resident Visa for at least 2 years and showing commitment to New Zealand, such as spending 184 days in NZ in each of those years, you apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. It costs from NZD 315, and 80% of applications are processed within 2 weeks.

Resident Visa vs Permanent Resident Visa

New Zealand PR Requirements: Skilled Migrant Category (From 24 August 2026)

All SMC pathways need a genuine full-time job (at least 30 guaranteed hours a week) with an accredited employer. The job must be permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months. You must also be 55 or younger, meet the English standard (for example IELTS 6.5 overall) and pass health and character checks.

New Zealand PR points: the 6-point system

For example, a UK applicant with an overseas bachelor’s degree (4 points) who works 2 years in New Zealand (3 points) reaches 6+ points. Overseas work experience earns no points on this pathway.

Green List: Straight to Residence and Work to Residence

• Tier 1 – Straight to Residence: if your occupation is on Tier 1 and you have an accredited employer job offer and the required qualifications or registration, you can apply for residence straight away. This is the closest thing to “New Zealand direct PR”.
• Tier 2 – Work to Residence: work in a Tier 2 occupation for an accredited employer for 24 months, then apply for residence.

The Green List covers in-demand roles in areas such as healthcare, engineering, construction and tech.

Is There a New Zealand Express Entry?

No. New Zealand does not have an “Express Entry” system like Canada’s. The closest equivalents are the Skilled Migrant Category and Green List Straight to Residence. Unlike Canada, most New Zealand routes need a job with an accredited employer. If you want a points-based system without a job offer, compare Canada and Australia.

New Zealand PR Time: How Long Does It Take?

• Straight to Residence (Green List Tier 1): usually the fastest route, with priority processing.
• Skilled Migrant Category: about 80% of applications decided within around 4 months (mid-2026), after you meet the NZ experience requirements.
• Work to Residence: 24 months working before you can apply.
• Permanent Resident Visa: after 2 years on a Resident Visa, and 80% are processed within 2 weeks.

Most skilled migrants reach full PR in about 3–5 years from arriving on a work visa.

Immigration to New Zealand From the UK

UK citizens have some of the best options for moving to New Zealand:

• Working Holiday Visa: UK citizens aged 18–35 can stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years. This is a great way to gain the NZ experience that SMC pathways reward.
• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): a job with an accredited employer can lead to residence through the SMC or the Green List.
• Recognition: many UK qualifications and professional registrations (for example nursing, teaching and trades) are well recognised, though NZ registration may be needed.
• Visiting: UK citizens can visit New Zealand visa-free with an NZeTA for short stays. They cannot live there permanently without a resident visa.

Planning to work first? See our Work in New Zealand guide. Students can explore Study in New Zealand, where an NZ degree can earn up to 5 SMC points.

New Zealand PR Age Limit

The Skilled Migrant Category has a maximum age of 55 at the time you apply. Some other routes, such as partner and investor categories, have different rules. If you are over 55, an investor route or family-based route may be more realistic.

New Zealand Citizenship by Investment?

New Zealand does not sell citizenship. The Active Investor Plus visa gives residence to people who make large approved investments in New Zealand. You can later apply for citizenship after meeting the normal residence requirements, generally 5 years of living in New Zealand.

Benefits of New Zealand Permanent Residency

• Live, work and study anywhere in New Zealand indefinitely.
• Access to public healthcare and domestic tuition rates.
• Sponsor eligible family members.
• Travel in and out of New Zealand freely with a Permanent Resident Visa.
• A pathway to New Zealand citizenship.
• Easier travel to Australia, where NZ permanent residents can apply for some Australian visas.

How GIEC Global Helps With New Zealand PR

New Zealand’s 2026 rules reward the right job, wage and NZ experience. GIEC Global’s immigration consultants, supporting clients from the UK, India and worldwide, help you:

• check your New Zealand PR eligibility and pathway;
• calculate your SMC points and wage thresholds;
• plan a route through a Working Holiday or AEWV to residence;
• prepare a complete Resident Visa application; and
• move from a Resident Visa to a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years.

Learn more about New Zealand permanent residency with a free initial assessment.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global immigration team. Information reflects the Skilled Migrant Category changes from 24 August 2026, the NZD 35.00 median wage from 9 March 2026, Green List pathways and Immigration New Zealand’s Permanent Resident Visa requirements. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Always confirm current requirements on immigration.govt.nz before applying.