New Zealand · living · guide
New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa: requirements and costs
This visa is for people who already hold a New Zealand resident visa and want to live in the country permanently.
MIGRAGENT wrote this from 20 requirements on the official page, each checked against the government's own wording. Updated 2026-10-11. Source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/permanent-resident-visa/
Who can apply
You must have held a resident visa for at least 2 years in a row. Your current resident visa must be active, or it must have expired 90 days ago or less. You must also be of good character.[1][2][3]
You must have met all the conditions of your resident visa. You also need to show a commitment to New Zealand in 1 of 5 approved ways. For example, you can meet the time commitment option by staying in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each of the last 2 years.[4][5][6]
Documents you need to provide
You must provide scanned copies of your original documents. This includes a high-quality scan of the details page of the passport or certificate of identity for everyone in the application. You must also scan the other pages that show visa records, entry stamps, and exit stamps.[7][8][9]
You must provide 1 acceptable photo for each person. You also need to show evidence of your resident visa or residence permit. If your current visa had any conditions, you must provide evidence that you met them.[10][11][12]
You must provide evidence of at least 1 of the 5 ways that show your commitment to living in New Zealand permanently. If you submit police certificates, they must be less than 6 months old.[13][14]
If any of your documents are not in English, you must provide translated versions. These must be certified English translations.[15][16]
Costs and timing
The application fee starts from NZD 315. You should expect the application to be processed within 2 weeks for 80% of cases.[17][18]
After you apply and travel
Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form. If your passport expires, you must apply to transfer your visa to a new passport before you can travel.[19][20]
Checklist
- Provide 1 acceptable photo for each person included in the application.[10]
- Provide a high-quality scan of the details page of your passport or certificate of identity.[8]
- Provide scanned copies of original documents, including passport pages with visa records and stamps.[7][9]
- Provide evidence of your resident visa or residence permit.[11]
- Provide evidence of meeting your resident visa conditions.[12]
- Provide evidence of at least 1 of the 5 ways showing your commitment to New Zealand.[13]
- Ensure police certificates are less than 6 months old when you apply.[14]
- Provide certified English translations for any documents not in English.[16][15]
Questions people ask
How much does the New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa cost?
The application fee starts from NZD 315.[17]
How long does it take to get a Permanent Resident Visa?
You should expect the application to be processed within 2 weeks for 80% of cases.[18]
How long must I hold a resident visa before applying?
You must have held a resident visa for at least 2 years in a row.[1]
What if my resident visa has expired?
You can still apply if your resident visa expired 90 days ago or less.[2]
How do I prove my commitment to New Zealand through time spent there?
To meet the time commitment option, you must have been in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each of the last 2 years.[6]
What should I do if my passport expires after getting the visa?
If your passport expires, you must apply to transfer your visa to a new passport before you can travel.[20]
How old can my police certificates be?
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application.[14]
Do I need to fill out any forms when travelling to New Zealand?
Yes, everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.[19]
This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.