Australia and New Zealand are close neighbours, and they also share an unusual arrangement when it comes to residence. For people who already hold Australian permanent residence, New Zealand offers a relatively direct path to residence. Eligible Australian permanent residents can be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa once they arrive in New Zealand. They can then apply for a Permanent Resident Visa on the basis of time spent living in New Zealand, investment, running a business, or otherwise building an ongoing commitment to New Zealand.
However, a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa are not the same thing, and saying that "Australian PR converts directly to New Zealand PR" is an oversimplification that can easily mislead. Below we set out the practical pathway: what Australian permanent residents need to know about entering New Zealand, obtaining residence, and then applying for a Permanent Resident Visa.
01. The special relationship between Australia and New Zealand
Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents travelling to New Zealand are not covered by exactly the same arrangements. Australian permanent residents need a valid NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travelling to New Zealand. If they are eligible, they can be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival, which allows them to live, work or study in New Zealand long term.
Entry and visa grants are still assessed against the requirements in force at the time and the circumstances of each case. This article should not be read as a guarantee of entry or of any visa outcome.
02. From Resident Visa to Permanent Resident Visa
A Resident Visa is the basic status for living, working and studying in New Zealand. A Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) is the later, permanent stage. Once you hold a Resident Visa, you need to show an ongoing commitment to New Zealand, either through time spent in the country or by other means.
- Hold Australian permanent residence.
- Obtain an NZeTA and travel to New Zealand.
- Be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa.
- Meet the relevant Commitment to New Zealand requirements.
- Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV).
03. Four common pathways to a PRV
When moving from a Resident Visa to a Permanent Resident Visa, you can meet the commitment-to-New-Zealand requirements in different ways depending on your circumstances. Each pathway calls for different evidence of time in New Zealand, funds, business activity, or family and work ties, so check each requirement against your own situation before applying.
PATH 01
Meeting the time-in-New-Zealand requirement
For most applicants, time spent in New Zealand is the most straightforward pathway. Spending at least 184 days in New Zealand in each of the two required 12-month periods demonstrates an ongoing commitment to New Zealand. This pathway has no additional English language, income, investment or occupation requirements.
PATH 02
Investing in New Zealand
For applicants who cannot meet the usual time-in-New-Zealand requirement, investment can be another way to show an ongoing commitment. This can be done through a term deposit with a New Zealand bank or a qualifying business investment. The funds must be lawfully transferred to New Zealand, held for 24 months, and must not be used as security or a guarantee.
PATH 03
Running a business in New Zealand
Successfully running a business can also show a long-term connection to New Zealand. Applicants can hold at least 25% of the shares in a company and operate it for 12 months. You will usually need financial statements, a description of the business's operations, and evidence that the business is ongoing and contributes to employment, tax or the economy in New Zealand.
PATH 04
Establishing a Base in New Zealand
Applicants can show an ongoing connection by establishing a genuine base in New Zealand. This includes spending at least 41 days in New Zealand in the past 12 months, combined with either a family home, or nine months of full-time work or self-employment within the past 24 months.
04. Key evidence for the "Establishing a Base" pathway
This pathway is usually shown through two kinds of real connection: a home, and work or self-employment.
Home connection
You can establish a connection through a property owned by you or a family member and actually used as the family home, or by buying a property within 12 months of arriving in New Zealand. Useful evidence includes title documents, mortgage, insurance, utility bills, and records of shipping your furniture, along with other proof that you actually live there.
Work or self-employment connection
Nine months of full-time work or self-employment within the past 24 months can serve as evidence of a connection. Employees can provide contracts, payslips, IRD records and bank statements; self-employed applicants should show that they are actually involved in running the business. Commission-only or nominal work arrangements are usually not enough to show a genuine connection.
05. Australian PR, NZ Resident Visa and NZ PRV: the differences
| Status / visa | Where it fits in this article |
|---|---|
| Australian permanent residence | The Australian status you already hold before going to New Zealand. It is not the same as a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa. |
| NZ Resident Visa | The resident visa stage, allowing you to live, work or study in New Zealand long term. |
| NZ Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) | The permanent resident visa stage, which you can apply for after holding a Resident Visa and meeting the applicable requirements. |
Obtaining a New Zealand PRV does not automatically give you Australian permanent residence. If you plan to live in Australia long term, you will need a separate assessment under the applicable Australian visa or residence rules.
06. Who this article is for
This article is a starting point for understanding the pathway if you hold Australian permanent residence and plan to settle in New Zealand; want to start from Australia and then plan your New Zealand residence; are a family wanting your children to study in New Zealand; or want to arrange your life, work or family across both Australia and New Zealand.
A note from Leader
If you already hold Australian permanent residence and want to live and work in New Zealand long term, or give your family more options, it is important to understand the difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa. The PRV pathways differ in what they require in terms of time in New Zealand, investment, business operation and evidence of an ongoing commitment to New Zealand. Before applying, weigh up your own status, travel history, family arrangements and future living plans to decide which pathway suits you best.