Woman applying online for a visa
Immigration & emigration

Visas for New Zealand

Katharina Weckend | 18.09.2024

Do you dream of emigrating to New Zealand? Do you know everything there is to know about the local living and working conditions? Then your next step is to find out if you qualify for a visa for New Zealand. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about your visa options for New Zealand.

Visitor visa: NZeTA

To visit New Zealand as a tourist, you will need an NZeTA (‘New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority’), which compares to an eTA for Canada or an ESTA for the USA. Please note that an NZeTA does not give you permission to work in New Zealand. You will need a ‘Working Holiday Visa’ to stay in New Zealand for a limited period of time and a permanent visa to live and work in New Zealand permanently.

 

An NZeTA allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to three months and expires as soon as you leave the country. If you wish to re-enter, you will need to apply for a new NZeTA. Please note that an NZeTA is a form of ID, not a full visa. You will need your NZeTA handy to get your visa on arrival once you land in New Zealand.

Documents for NZeTA

  • your valid passport
  • inbound and return flight tickets (in English)
  • proof of sufficient financial means to fund your stay (in English)
Costs

NZD 58 (€32.47) online, NZD 52 (€29.11) via the mobile app

Processing time

72 hours

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Visa by points system

New Zealand uses a points system to issue visas for skilled workers. You need six points to qualify for a ‘Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa’.  

 

Points are given based on qualifications or salary. If you get less than six points, you will also need work experience in New Zealand. From a professional qualifications standpoint, only a doctorate qualifies you to get six points. For any other degree, you will need additional work experience in New Zealand unless your salary is three times the New Zealand median income.

 

You will also need a 12-month job offer or a six-month employment contract. Plus, you must be <55 years of age. Spouses or life partners and children under the age of 24 are included in the visa as long as certain criteria are met.

Points system for a ‘Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa’

Have a look at how many points you would get based on your qualifications, income and work experience in New Zealand:  

 

  • Qualification (degree requirements: NZQF)
    • 6 points: doctorate
    • 5 points: master’s degree
    • 4 points: bachelor of honours (mainly awarded in New Zealand or Australia) or a postgraduate diploma  
    • 3 points: postgraduate diploma or bachelor’s degree

 

  • Income
    • 6 points: at least 3x the median income, currently NZD 94.38 per hour
    • 4:  2x the median income, currently NZD 63.22 per hour
    • 3: 1.5x the median income, currently NZD 47.41 per hour

 

  • Work experience in New Zealand
    • 3 points: 3 years of work experience in New Zealand over the past 5 years
    • 2 points: 2 years of work experience in New Zealand over the past 4 years
    • 1 point: 1 year of work experience in New Zealand over the past 2 years

Required documents for a ‘Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa’

Did you get six points? Fantastic! Then you will only need the following documents for your visa application:  

 

  • your passport
  • a certificate of good conduct
  • an employment contract with details of your tasks, contract duration, number of work hours and salary
  • proof of qualifications: certificates, diplomas, references, etc.
  • proof of work experience in New Zealand (optional)
  • certificates etc. of your family members if applicable (optional)
    • your children’s birth certificates if applicable
    • marriage certificate, tenancy agreement, etc. for your partner (you must prove that you are married or live together)
  • language certificate for you and, if applicable, your partner and/or children over the age of 16 (please note that this document cannot be older than two years)
  • medical examination records (if requested by your future employer, etc.)
Having your visa-related documents translated

The New Zealand authorities will need all your documents and records in English, i.e. you will have to have your documents translated accordingly. You will also need to have any official documents, such as certificates, certified.  

 

Please make sure you have your documents translated well ahead of time as this usually takes at least a week.

Applying for ‘Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa’

Do you have all your relevant documents ready to go? Then you can start your application process:

 

  • ‘Expression of interest’: Create an online profile and fill in all the information required for your visa type. Your point score will tell you if you qualify.  
  • ‘Invitation to apply’: If you score six points, you will receive an ‘Invitation to Apply (ITA)’. You now have four months to apply for your visa.
  • Submitting your application: Submit your visa application online along with all the documents required. Have a look at this checklist for more information.
  • Processing your application: It may take several months for your visa to be processed. You may also be invited for an interview. The New Zealand authorities will email you to let you know if you visa has been approved or declined.
Costs

NZD 4,890 (€2,737.40)

Processing time

6 months

Straight to Residence Visa

Visa for Tier 1 category roles (Green List)

If your occupation falls under Tier 1 of the Green List, you can qualify for the ‘Straight to Residence Visa’. This visa type is not bound by a points system. You can only apply if you have a job offer for a Green List roles Tier 1 job or if you already have a work visa for New Zealand. You also must be no older than 55. The Straight to Residence Visa also covers your partner and/or children 24 years of age or under.

Documents you will need for a ‘Straight to Residence Visa’

Do you meet all the criteria to qualify for a ‘Straight to Residence Visa’? Do you have a job offer for a Tier 1 category job off the Green List? Then you will need the following documents for your visa application:  

 

  • your passport
  • a certificate of good conduct
  • a job offer with details of your tasks, contract duration, number of work hours and salary
  • proof of qualifications: certificates, diplomas, references, etc.
  • certificates etc. of your family members if applicable (optional)
  • your children’s birth certificates if applicable
  • marriage certificate, tenancy agreement, etc. for your partner (you must prove that you are married or live together)
  • language certificate for you and, if applicable, your partner and/or children over the age of 16 (please note that this document cannot be older than two years)
  • medical examination records (if requested by your future employer, etc.)

 

Please note: You will also need to provide translations of these documents for your visa application.

Applying for ‘Straight to Residence Visa’

Once you have all your documents translated into English and ready to go, you can fill in and submit your visa application online. You will also need to pay the required application fees at this stage. Once your visa application has been processed, you will receive an email letting you know if your application has been approved or rejected. You can also check your online profile status. If you are already in New Zealand and your visa is about to expire, you can apply for an ‘Interim Visa’.

Costs

NZD 4,890 (€2,737.32)

Processing time

approx. 4 months

Work to Residence Visa

Visa for Tier 2 category roles (Green List) with additional work experience in New Zealand

Have you already gained some work experience in New Zealand? Then a ‘Work to Residence Visa’ might be the right option for you. You can apply if your job falls under the Green List roles Tier 2 category. You must be no older than 55. You will also need a full-time job offer for at least 12 months. Plus, you must have at least two years of work experience in this role in New Zealand. A ‘Work to Residence Visa’ also covers your partner and/or children under the age of 24. 

Documents you will need for a ‘Work to Residence Visa’

Do you qualify for this type of visa? Then you will need to get the following documents ready to apply:  

 

  • your passport
  • a certificate of good conduct
  • a job offer with details of your tasks, contract duration, number of work hours and salary
  • proof of qualifications: certificates, diplomas, references, etc.
  • proof of work experience in New Zealand
  • a valid work permit
  • certificates etc. of your family members if applicable (optional)
  • your children’s birth certificates if applicable
  • marriage certificate, tenancy agreement, etc. for your partner (you must prove that you are married or live together)
  • language certificate for you and, if applicable, your partner and/or children over the age of 16 (please note that this document cannot be older than two years)
  • medical examination records (if requested by your future employer, etc.)

 

Please note: For this visa type, you will also need to provide translations of the above-mentioned documents.

Applying for ‘Work to Residence Visa’

Have you had all your relevant documents translated and certified? Then you can start your application process. Submit your application along with all documents required and pay the visa fees. Now you have to wait and see. Once your visa application has been processed, you will receive an email letting you know if your application has been accepted or rejected. You can also check your visa status in your online profile. If your application is approved, you will receive an electronic visa to enter the country. If you are already in New Zealand, you can apply for an ‘Interim Visa’ (valid for six months).

Costs

NZD 4,890 (€2,736.32)

Processing time

approx. 6 months

More information about emigrating to New Zealand

Do you need more information about New Zealand? Have a look at our articles about living and working in New Zealand:  

 

FAQs: Visas for New Zealand

The costs for a visa for New Zealand vary quite a lot. An NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) visitor visa costs NZD 58 (€32.47).  

 

A permanent visa for New Zealand, such as the ‘Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa’, the ‘Straight to Residence Visa’ or the ‘Work to Residence Visa’ cost NZD 4,890 (€2,737.32) each.

To travel to New Zealand, you will need to apply for an NZeTA online from Germany and present it to the local authorities upon entry. An NZeTA allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to three months. Once you leave New Zealand, your NZeTA expires. That means if you want to re-enter New Zealand, you will have to apply for a new NZeTA. 

The ‘Accredited Employer Work Visa’ allows you to live and work in New Zealand for up to five years. The duration of your stay depends on your salary, among other factors. You can even study during this period if your job requires you to. Find all information about a work visa für New Zealand here.

As a German citizen, you will need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) to travel to New Zealand, which compares to an eTA for Canada or an ESTA for the USA. You can apply for an NZeTA online for NZD 58 (€32.47). An NZeTA allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to three months, however, you are not allowed to work. To work in New Zealand, you will need a work visa. To stay in New Zealand for more than three months at a time, you might qualify for a ‘Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa’, a ‘Straight to Residence Visa’ or a ‘Work to Residence Visa’.

You can emigrate to New Zealand if you have a permanent residence visa. These are the most common permanent visa types:  

  • Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: visa by points system
  • Straight to Residence Visa: visa for Tier 1 category roles (Green List)
  • Work to Residence Visa: visa for Tier 2 category roles (Green List) with additional work experience in New Zealand

Author

Katharina Weckend, Content & SEO Manager

Katharina joined lingoking as a Content and SEO Manager in 2024. She handles our content and SEO strategy and writes texts for our website, guide and other lingoking media. “I am happy I get to pass on knowledge in our lingoking guide and help break down language barriers.”

Portrait of Katharina

Translation

Belinda Grace, Content Writer

Belinda has been working with the lingoking marketing team since early 2022. She’s in charge of translating blogs and guides as well as writing social media posts. Her motto: “Begin each day as if it were on purpose”.

Portrait of Belinda Grace, Freelancer at lingoking