PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand’s Immigration policy regulations are very strictly controlled and enforced, with each applicant meeting the compulsory requirements in order to achieve residence in New Zealand. These requirements are constantly changing so as to meet the social and economic needs of the country.
Under the Immigration Act 1987, every person who wishes to migrate to New Zealand needs tom apply for residence, so that you are entitled to live, work and study indefinitely in New Zealand. Under the Act some people do not have to apply for residence. They include: - {a} New Zealand citizens who must show a valid New Zealand passport on entering New Zealand. {b}Australian citizens, who must show a valid Australian passport on entering New Zealand,
There are two main ways that entitle you to enter New Zealand: {1} Permanent New Zealand Visa {2} Temporary New Zealand Visa.
One can apply for Permanent Visa under four main categories:
- Business
- General
- Family, and that had been approved
- Humanitarian
To be eligible for a grant of New Zealand citizenship one must have Permanent Residence. If you received or made an application for Permanent Residence on or before 21 April 2005, you must satisfy two requirements:
- Ordinary residence and
- Lawful residence
You must have been ordinary resident in New Zealand for the last 3 years. That means you must be physically present. Any travel away from New Zealand short or long will be taken into consideration that you meet this requirement. If you don’t meet this requirement you may need to provide a letter of explanation if:
- If you were away for more than a year in total;
- A single trip was for more than 4 months
- You were not in New Zealand for 8 of the 12 weeks immediately after applying, or at the beginning of the ordinary residence period.
You must have been in New Zealand lawfully for the last 3 years having valid immigration permits for all the period.
If you have applied for and received Permanent Residence after 21 April 2005 you are required to have:
- Been present in New Zealand for a total of at least 1,350 days during the 5 years immediately before you make your application.
- Been present in New Zealand for a total of at least 240 days in each of those 5 years, with a Permanent Residence permit issued by New Zealand Immigration Services.
- Fully met any conditions imposed by the New Zealand Immigration Services in regard to your Permanent Resident permit.
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