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Employer must be accredited by Immigration NZ; job must meet median wage threshold (~NZD 31.61/hr, 2024). Working Holiday agreements exist for ~40 nationalities with easier access.
Points-based residence visa; requires a skilled job offer or employment in NZ and a job paying at or above the median wage. Applicants must be under 56 years old.
Minimum investment of NZD 5 million in acceptable NZ investments (direct investment, listed equities, etc.) plus time-in-NZ requirements over the investment period.
Only available to citizens of countries with bilateral Working Holiday Agreements with New Zealand; applicants must be aged 18-30 (35 for some nationalities).
New Zealand offers a range of work and residence visas through Immigration New Zealand, including the popular Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa using a points-based system. Citizens of Australia have the right to live and work freely in New Zealand without a visa under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. New Zealand introduced an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in 2022 to streamline employer-sponsored work permits.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) requires the employer to be accredited with Immigration New Zealand before hiring a foreign worker; the job must also be at or above the median wage of NZD 29.66/hour. Accreditation ensures the employer meets standards for pay, employment conditions, and training of NZ workers. Permits are typically granted for up to 3 years and may lead to residence through the Skilled Migrant pathway.
Partners and dependent children under 24 of AEWV holders can apply for an open work visa or student visa allowing them to work or study in New Zealand. Partners of eligible visa holders receive open work visas not tied to a specific employer, providing significant flexibility.
New Zealand taxes residents on worldwide income with progressive rates up to 39% on income over NZD 180,000. New residents receive a 4-year transitional resident exemption from tax on most foreign-source income, a significant advantage for new immigrants. New Zealand has no capital gains tax on most assets, no inheritance tax, and no payroll tax, making it relatively straightforward for expat financial planning.
New Zealand has a public healthcare system (funded by taxes) that all residents and most work visa holders can access; however, wait times for elective procedures can be long. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides no-fault cover for injuries. Many expats purchase supplementary private health insurance for prompt access to specialists and elective surgery.
Opening a bank account in New Zealand is straightforward for residents and visa holders; major banks like ANZ, BNZ, Westpac, and ASB are reputable and offer English-language services. New Zealand operates in NZD, which is freely convertible with no capital controls. Online banking is highly developed and most transactions are processed digitally.
New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa requires a minimum investment of NZD 5 million in qualifying New Zealand investments over a 4-year period, with weighted points for higher-value direct investments. The previous investor visa categories were replaced with the Active Investor Plus Visa in 2023, emphasizing active investment in growth companies and listed equities. An Entrepreneur Residence Visa is also available for those establishing businesses employing New Zealanders.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Investor Plus Visa | — | No | No |
| Entrepreneur Residence Visa | — | No | No |