New Zealand · long-stay visa routes and official sources
8 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for New Zealand: Medium (50/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Student visa / skilled migration.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to New Zealand?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Student visa / skilled migration. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium" (50/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to New Zealand without a local job offer?
Yes — 3 of the 8 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Student visa; Visitor visa remote-work condition; Fee Paying Student Visa. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
Study first, then assess post-study work and skilled residence; from November 2026 some graduates gain a new 6-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa and some Level 7 graduate diplomas can qualify for Post Study Work Visa.
Typical timeline / duration: 2-5 months
Offer of place/enrolment with approved education provider; pay or show ability to pay tuition; meet health/character and application requirements.
For tertiary/English/non-compulsory study: NZD 20,000 per year or NZD 1,667 per month if shorter than one year; compulsory education: NZD 17,000 per year or NZD 1,417 per month.
A study-based route requiring admission to an eligible education provider.
Typical timeline / duration: Study full-time up to 4 years on Fee Paying Student Visa.
Offer of place/enrolment with approved education provider; pay or show ability to pay tuition; meet health/character and application requirements.
For tertiary/English/non-compulsory study: NZD 20,000 per year or NZD 1,667 per month if shorter than one year; compulsory education: NZD 17,000 per year or NZD 1,417 per month.
For people who can meet skill, salary, registration, or New Zealand work-experience thresholds; after August 2026 check updated Skilled Migrant and work-to-residence details.
Typical timeline / duration: 6-18 months
Be aged 55 or younger when applying.
Have a full-time skilled job or job offer from an accredited employer and claim at least six skilled-resident points.
Meet the English, health, character, and genuine-family-relationship requirements where applicable.
Submit an Expression of Interest first, then provide evidence of the claimed points and job after invitation to apply.
An employer-led or qualification-based work route.
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary work visa tied to accredited employer/job; duration depends on role/pay/settings and may lead to residence pathways.
The AEWV requires a job with an accredited employer and meeting AEWV job-skill requirements.
Applicant must have either 2 years or more relevant work experience or a level 4+ NZQCF qualification, unless route-specific exceptions apply.
Employer must be accredited; job check/occupation/wage and skill rules apply; some roles have English requirements.
A remote-income route for applicants working for overseas employers, clients, or businesses.
Typical timeline / duration: Depends on visitor visa/NZeTA conditions; policy applies while holding visitor status.
All visitor visas applied for on or after 27 Jan 2025 allow remote work for an overseas business/client; self-employed digital nomads can work for clients outside New Zealand.
No dedicated digital-nomad income threshold; visitor visa funds/entry requirements apply.
Original route needs major update to new Business Investor route.
Typical timeline / duration: Business Investor Work Visa up to 4 years; one renewal up to 2 years may be available.
Business Investor Work Visa: invest at least NZD $1m in an established business; show at least NZD $500k reserve funds; age 55 or younger; business experience; English; fit and proper; health/character; actively run the business.
Standard pathway requires NZD $1m and may lead to residence after 3 years; fast-track requires NZD $2m and may lead after 12 months.
Entrepreneur Work Visa guide says entrepreneur category is closed to new applicants, with forms for renewals/changes.
NZD $1m standard investment or NZD $2m fast-track; NZD $500k reserve funds.
Historical Entrepreneur Work Visa had NZD $100k, but closed to new applicants.
Dedicated retirement routes exist with clear thresholds.
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary Retirement is a visitor visa category; Parent Retirement is residence.
Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa: age 66+, invest at least NZD 750,000 in New Zealand, have NZD 500,000 for stay, annual income at least NZD 60,000, plus other requirements.
Parent Retirement Resident Visa: adult child in NZ who is citizen/resident, no dependent children, at least NZD 1 million to invest for 4 years, NZD 500,000 settlement funds, annual income at least NZD 60,000, lawful funds.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.