Permanent residence visas are issued to those who hold one of the New Zealand resident visas in different categories. Note that to receive this visa, no more than three months must have passed since the expiration date of your visa. Identity requirements, commitment to New Zealand, and good character are necessary conditions for obtaining this visa.
In the following, we will study the visa application process, the documents that you must provide, the visa application fee, the processing time, and other details.
What is a New Zealand permanent resident visa?
If you have a New Zealand residence visa for two years and comply with this country’s laws during this period, you can apply for a New Zealand permanent residence visa.
Permanent resident visa holders can work and live in New Zealand without any restrictions.
Also, these people will not face any restrictions on traveling. If you want to apply for a permanent resident visa, you must consider the following:
- You can bring your partner and children aged 24 and younger to New Zealand under this visa, provided they have applied for the primary resident visa.
- If you intend to travel, your permanent residence visa must be entered in a valid passport.
- Non-principal applicants cannot apply for a permanent resident visa before the principal applicant.
- If New Zealand Immigration cannot issue a permanent resident visa to you, another residence visa may be issued, or conditions may apply that allow you to enter or leave New Zealand as a resident.
- People who were attacked in Christchurch terrorist attacks on 15 March 2019 can apply for permanent residency in a different way.
What are the requirements of the permanent resident visa?
- Providing two photos in which your shoulders and head are visible and your passport as an essential identity requirement is necessary.
- A police certificate may be required to prove your good character. New Zealand Immigration will let you know if you need to provide this certificate.
- You must have a resident visa for at least 24 months when you apply for this visa. Therefore, when applying for this visa, you must provide your resident visa or resident permit. If more than three months have passed since your resident visa expired, you can no longer apply for this visa. In this case, you must apply for another residence visa.
- You must meet the requirements of your current residence visa. Visa requirements are different for each residence visa under different categories. For example, some can only enter or leave New Zealand for the period specified in their visa. Some people have to invest and maintain the value of their money. Others have to have a specific job or work for a specific employer.
- The New Zealand Immigration will check your commitment to this country. If you have spent at least 184 days of each of the last two years in this country, you will meet this condition. If you have spent this time in New Zealand, you don’t need to provide any evidence, and New Zealand Immigration checks your travel records.
- The principal applicants cannot apply for a permanent residence visa before the principal applicant. Non-principal visa applicants can apply for a visa at the same time as or after the principal applicant.
How to petition for the Permanent Resident Visa?
To obtain this visa, you must stay on your resident visa for at least 24 months. Also, it should not be more than three months from the expiration date of your visa.
- If you want to get this visa, you must first complete the Application from a Resident or Former Resident Holder. Then send the completed form along with other documents to New Zealand Immigration.
- New Zealand Immigration will review your documents and then decide on your visa.
How much does it cost to petition for a New Zealand permanent resident visa?
For information on how much you have to pay, visit the New Zealand Immigration website. Keep in mind that the application fee is non-refundable. It means that even if your visa application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded to you.
What is the processing time of the permanent resident visa?
90% of submitted applications will be processed within 74 days.
Let’s sum up…
In the previous sections, we provided classified information on New Zealand permanent resident visas. Note that to receive this visa, you must have a residence visa for at least two years. Other sections of the Visa Library website provide information on the application process and requirements for other New Zealand visas. Information on visas from other countries is also provided.
If you have experience getting a New Zealand permanent resident visa, you can share it with other readers via the comments section. Conveying your experiences can help others make better decisions.
- Published by
- Max-B.
- One Comment
A comprehensive guideline to get a New Zealand permanent resident visa. Thanks a bunch.