New Zealand PR Visa

New Zealand is a highly desirable destination for many individuals and families seeking to live, work, or study in a beautiful and progressive country. Known for its exceptional quality of life, safety, and clean environment, New Zealand consistently ranks high on international human development and living standards indices.

For Indians, New Zealand is a favoured immigration choice, with thousands making the move each year for various reasons, including work, study, tourism, and permanent settlement. The New Zealand Permanent Residency (PR) visa is particularly popular in the Indian subcontinent. In this article, we will delve into what New Zealand PR entails, its benefits, and the application process requirements.

Key Benefits of the New Zealand PR Visa

• Indefinite Residency: Holders of a New Zealand PR visa can reside in the country indefinitely.
• Access to Healthcare: PR visa holders are entitled to access New Zealand’s healthcare system.
• Education: PR visa holders can enroll their children in state-run schools and universities for free.
• Travel Flexibility: PR visa holders can exit and re-enter New Zealand as residents indefinitely.
• Citizenship for Children: Children born in New Zealand automatically become citizens.
• Social Security Benefits: PR visa holders and their families may be eligible for subsidized medical services and social security benefits.
• Sponsorship: PR visa holders can sponsor their loved ones.
• Unemployment Allowance: New Zealand provides support for job seekers, including immigrants.

To be eligible for New Zealand PR visa, Some specific criteria

• Age: You must be 55 years of age or under when receiving the Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• Qualifications: Hold recognized qualifications ranging from level 3 to 10 from designated institutions. If your qualification is from a recognized institution, you may not need a qualification assessment. However, if your qualification is from an unrecognized institution, a qualification assessment from INZ is mandatory.
• Work Experience: You must have a minimum of two years of professional work experience in the past ten years. This work experience should align with your qualifications and be considered professional.
• Occupation in Demand: Your occupation must be on the Long-Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) for New Zealand PR eligibility.
• English Language Ability: You and your family need to demonstrate English language proficiency by passing an approved language test. The primary applicant must achieve a minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5, while dependents must score at least 5.0 overall.
• Points: You need to score a minimum of 100 points based on factors such as age, qualifications, work experience, and more.

How to Apply for the New Zealand PR Process from India?

• Eligibility Check: Before applying for a New Zealand residence visa, assess your eligibility based on factors like age, occupation, qualifications, language proficiency, health, and character. You can check your eligibility by filling out a free assessment form or contacting our New Zealand PR experts.
• NZQA Assessment (New Zealand Qualifications Authority): If you obtained your qualifications outside New Zealand, an NZQA assessment may be necessary. However, if your overseas qualification is recognized and exempt from assessment, you can skip this step.
• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI), providing information about your interest in settling in New Zealand. The EOI is a two-stage process, including submission and profile selection.
• Receive Invitation: If your EOI is successful, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the residence.

Processing Time & Cost of Applying for New Zealand PR from India

Costs Involved:

• Application Cost: Immigration New Zealand charges an application cost, which is non-refundable. It includes a non-refundable immigration levy. The application cost for this visa is INR ₹12,600.
• Receiving Centre Fees: The Visa Application Centre (VAC) also charges a VAC Service Fee for receiving and submitting your application to Immigration New Zealand. This fee must be paid when you submit your application to the VAC. If the VAC Service Fee isn’t paid at the time of submission, the VAC will contact you to request payment. The VAC Service Fee is INR ₹1,625.

Processing Time:

• Processing Duration: The processing time for a New Zealand PR visa varies depending on the complexity of the application. On average, it takes around 8 to 12 months to receive a decision.
• Factors Affecting Processing Time: The processing time may vary based on factors like the completeness of your application, the time it takes to verify your credentials, and the volume of applications being processed.
• Priority Processing: If you meet the criteria for priority processing, your application may be processed more quickly. However, priority processing usually comes with an additional cost.