This permanent visa is offered to those who are already working in New Zealand on a temporary visa who can contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth through their employment and work experience. To be eligible for a Skilled Migrant visa, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be chosen out of a pool of potential applicants by Immigration NZ (INZ) and then invited to apply for this residence visa.

Conditions for applicants

• Submit an EOI
  • The EOI requires at least 100 points to be accepted into the pool. The INZ points indicator can help applicants determine how many points they have based on their age, employment, any applicable skill-shortage factors, and previous work experience.
  • As of 14/8/2020, INZ will only be selecting EOIs with 160 points or above
  • EOIs are valid for six months
• After submitting an EOI, you must be invited to apply for residence
• Be under 55 years old
• Be of good character
  • Must provide police certificate from (i) your country of citizenship and (ii) any country where you have cumulatively spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years
• Be of good health
  • To prove good health, you must have a chest x-ray and a medical examination (not required until invited to apply for residence)
• Ability to speak English
  • Evidence will need to be provided to prove the acceptable standard of English. This can include:
    • An acceptable English language test (must be no more than two years old)
    • Evidence of citizenship from Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States, and you have spent five years working or studying in those countries, in Australia, or in New Zealand
    • Evidence of a recognised qualification equivalent to a New Zealand level 7 bachelor’s degree that was gained in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK or the USA. You must have studied in the above countries for at least two years to obtain this degree.
    • Evidence of a recognised qualification equivalent to a postgraduate New Zealand qualification gained in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK or the USA. You must have studied in the above countries for at least two years to obtain this degree.
• Evidence of skilled employment with the necessary work experience, qualifications, and occupational registration
  • Qualification can be recognised if
    • It is on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment; or
    • It has been assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority; or
    • It has been assessed by a NZ registration authority at the same level as a qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment as part of an application for NZ occupational legislation; or
    • It is a Washington Accord or Sydney Accord accredited undergraduate degree
  • To claim points for work experience, you must show it is skilled (https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new\-zealand\-visas/apply\-for\-a\-visa/tools\-and\-information/work\-and\-employment/skilled\-work\-experience\)
• If you want to bring family, your partner and dependent children must meet eligibility criteria
  • This includes requirements for speaking competent English (either speaking English or paying for classes to learn English in New Zealand)

If you’re the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, you can apply to live in New Zealand permanently through a visa based on your partnership.

This visa allows the visa holder to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.

Who is eligible for a Partnership Visa?

To be seen as being in a genuine partner relationship by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) you must be two people of the opposite or same sex, in any of the following:

• A legal marriage
• A civil union
• A de facto relationship

INZ will also look at evidence that supports the “genuine and stable relationship” between you and your partner. This includes factors such as:

• The living arrangement, where you and your partner are sharing the same home
• How long you have been together and living together as a couple
• Your and your partner’s financial arrangements
• Your commitment to each other
• Any property you own or share together
• Children you have had together
• The household tasks shared between you and your partner
• If other friends and family recognise your relationship
• Any time lived apart, including the duration, reason for being apart, and how you kept in touch

Dependent children aged 24 and under are able to apply as dependents.

Other eligibility criteria includes:

• Satisfying health requirements
• Satisfying character requirements
• Proof of your partner’s NZ residence (such as bills addressed to the residence) and immigration status (such as a NZ passport)
• Your partner’s eligibility to support your application
• If any, dependent children must satisfy requirements
• Any evidence of your relationship of your children
• Evidence of custody of children 15 and under