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.
What is New Zealand Permanent Residency Status?
New Zealand Permanent Residency (PR) status allows individuals and their families to live, work, study, and enjoy most of the rights and privileges of New Zealand citizens for an indefinite period. To be eligible for a PR visa in New Zealand, applicants generally need to have held a resident visa for two years without any interruptions. Below, we outline some key benefits of the New Zealand PR visa.
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.
How to Apply for the New Zealand PR Visa from India
Applying for a New Zealand PR visa involves several pathways, each with its own set of eligibility criteria and requirements. Below are the three primary methods to apply for a New Zealand PR visa from India:
The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) allows individuals to live and work in New Zealand on a permanent basis. However, applicants must meet specific point-based eligibility criteria, considering factors such as age, education, work experience, and more.
Eligibility Requirements for SMC:
- Age: 55 years or below
- Proficiency in English
- Good health
- Good character
Application Process for SMC:
- Submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI), providing details about your qualifications, skills, work experience, and family.
- If your EOI receives a high enough score according to the New Zealand point-based immigration system, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the visa.
- Complete the application with the required supporting documents.
Family Category Visa
Various family visa categories allow individuals to apply for PR in New Zealand if they are spouses, partners, parents, or dependent children of New Zealand permanent residents or citizens. Sponsorship by a relative in New Zealand is generally required.
Business and Investment
This category is designed for individuals interested in business and investment in New Zealand to contribute to the country’s economic growth. It includes the Investor and Entrepreneur categories, each with its own requirements.
- Investor Category: Designed for those willing to invest in a New Zealand business.
- Entrepreneur Category: For individuals willing to establish their own business in New Zealand.
To be eligible for a New Zealand PR visa, you need to meet 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?
The New Zealand PR application process involves several steps:
- 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.
Who is eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in New Zealand?
You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in New Zealand if you have held a residence visa for more than 2 years. This visa grants you the privilege to travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely.
What is the cost associated with the Permanent Resident Visa application?
The cost for applying for a Permanent Resident Visa in New Zealand starts from NZD $240.
How long does it typically take to process a Permanent Resident Visa application?
The processing time for a Permanent Resident Visa application in New Zealand is such that 90% of applications are processed within 30 days, although individual processing times may vary based on specific circumstances.
Processing Time and 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:
The processing time for a Permanent Resident Visa application from India is as follows:
- 90% of applications are typically completed within 30 days.
The average processing time is 21 days when measured in weekdays. The median value is used to determine the average.
