New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa: Make New Zealand Your Home Forever
A Permanent Resident Visa (PR) is the final step in your immigration journey. While a standard Resident Visa allows you to live here, it has “travel conditions” that expire. A Permanent Resident Visa gives you the right to live, work, and study in New Zealand forever, with no limits on when you can leave or return to the country.
01. Introduction
When you first receive residency, your visa usually allows you to travel in and out of New Zealand for two years. After that time, if you want to travel and return as a resident, you need a Permanent Resident Visa.
This visa removes all travel restrictions. It also secures your status in New Zealand, meaning you no longer have to worry about visa renewals or travel expiry dates. Once you have held this visa for enough time, you may also become eligible for New Zealand Citizenship.
To be eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa, you must meet the following “five pillars” of commitment:
- Hold a Resident Visa: You must have held your New Zealand Resident Visa for at least two continuous years.
- Meet the conditions: You must have met all the conditions listed on your original Resident Visa (such as staying in a specific job for a set time).
- Good character: You must continue to meet character requirements.
- Show commitment: You must show that you intend to live in New Zealand long-term.
- Identity: You must provide a valid passport and proof of identity.
You only need to meet one of the five ways to show your commitment. Most people use the “Time Spent” option:
- Time Spent in NZ: You have been in New Zealand as a resident for at least 184 days in each of the two years before you apply.
- Tax Residency: You are a New Zealand tax resident and have spent at least 41 days here in each of the last two years.
- Investment: You have invested $1,000,000 NZD in New Zealand for at least two years.
- Business: You have successfully started or bought a business in New Zealand at least one year ago.
- Base in New Zealand: You have established a home here (by buying a house or working full-time) and all family members included in your application have lived here for at least 184 days in the last two years.
04. Partners and children (non-principal applicants)
If you were included in a Resident Visa application as a partner or child (a “non-principal applicant”), you usually apply for your Permanent Resident Visa at the same time as the main applicant.
In most cases, you cannot get a Permanent Resident Visa before the main applicant. However, there are exceptions if the main applicant has died, you have separated/divorced, or the main applicant has already become a New Zealand Citizen. We can help you navigate these specific rules to ensure your residency remains secure.
- Processing time: This is one of the fastest visas. Most applications are completed within two to four weeks.
- Application fee: NZD $315 (standard fee for 2024-2026).
- Our service fee: Starting from NZD $1200 depending on the complexity of your situation.
No surprises: Many people think they are eligible for PR simply because two years have passed. We provide a clear service to confirm you have met your 184-day requirement or other commitment markers before you apply. This prevents the stress of a declined application or a last-minute scramble for travel variations.
