Permanent Residence in New Zealand
Apply for a New Zealand Permanent Residence Visa with expert help. Intergate guides you to permanent residence in New Zealand with clear advice and full support.
- Licensed advice
- Evidence and timing
- Next step
The New Zealand Permanent Residence Visa (PRV) is available to people who have held a New Zealand Resident Visa for at least two years and can demonstrate a genuine commitment to New Zealand through one of five accepted methods: physical presence, tax residency, investment, business operations, or an established base. Unlike a Resident Visa, the PRV carries no expiry date and no travel restrictions, allowing unlimited re-entry at any time.
Eligibility
- 01
Hold a New Zealand Resident Visa for at least two years
The Permanent Residence Visa requires that you have held a New Zealand Resident Visa for a minimum of two years before applying. The two-year period is calculated from the date the resident visa was granted, not the date of entry into New Zealand.
- 02
Demonstrate commitment to New Zealand through one of five accepted methods
Applicants must show commitment by meeting at least one criterion: 184 days of residence in each of the two qualifying 12-month periods; tax residency status; a qualifying financial investment; operation of a New Zealand business; or evidence of an established base in New Zealand.
- 03
Prior resident visa conditions met in full
Any conditions attached to the resident visa, such as working in a specific occupation for a defined period or maintaining an investment, must have been satisfied. A condition breach during the qualifying period can prevent progression to permanent residence.
- 04
Health and character requirements remain satisfied
The applicant must continue to meet health and character requirements at the time of the permanent residence application. Changes in health status or new criminal matters that arose since the resident visa was granted must be disclosed.
- 05
Application lodged before the resident visa travel conditions expire
A Resident Visa has a limited travel window, usually two years from the grant date, during which the holder can re-enter New Zealand after travel abroad. Applications for permanent residence should be lodged before this window expires, or re-entry can become complicated.
- 06
Applicant is living in New Zealand or has an established base here
Permanent residence is intended for people who have genuinely committed to New Zealand. Applicants who have spent most of the qualifying period outside New Zealand will struggle to satisfy the commitment criteria even if they technically meet one of the five methods.
Mistakes that cost a refusal
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Calculating the two-year qualifying period from the date of arrival in New Zealand rather than from the date the resident visa was granted; these can differ significantly if the visa was granted before the applicant entered the country.
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Failing to count the 184-day residence requirement correctly for each of the two 12-month periods separately; missing the threshold in either period means that criteria is not met, even if total days over two years exceed 368.
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Not noticing that the resident visa travel window has expired before applying for permanent residence, which means fresh travel to New Zealand may require a new visa before the PRV application can progress.
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Assuming that tax residency status automatically satisfies the commitment criterion without obtaining documentary evidence from Inland Revenue before lodgement.
From first call to grant
01 · 1 wk
Strategy
Commitment criterion identification, residence-day count for each qualifying 12-month period, visa condition compliance verification, and travel window check.
02 · 2-4 wk
Evidence build
Passport stamps and travel records, IRD tax residency documentation, property records, employment records, or investment evidence gathered to support the chosen commitment criterion.
03 · 1 wk
Lodgement
Permanent Residence Visa application submitted to Immigration New Zealand with all supporting evidence and application fee.
04 · 1-6 mo
Decision and grant
INZ reviews the application, may request further information, and issues the permanent residence visa. The PRV carries no expiry date and no travel restrictions.
What that buys you
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Licensed Immigration Advisers verify the two-year qualifying period calculation and the residence-day count before lodgement, preventing refusals based on miscalculation that are entirely avoidable.
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Commitment criterion selection: advisers identify which of the five criteria is best supported by the applicant's evidence and advise on how to document it correctly.
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Travel window management: advisers track the expiry of the resident visa travel conditions and alert applicants to the risk of re-entry complications if the window closes before the PRV is granted.
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Character and health disclosure: any new matter that has arisen since the resident visa was granted must be disclosed; advisers advise on how to present it to minimise impact on the application.
We work on a transparent flat fee, quoted at the consultation. We do not publish prices because the right number is the case-specific one.
Resident Visa vs Permanent Residence Visa
A New Zealand Resident Visa grants the right to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely but carries travel conditions: the visa includes a defined window, typically two years from grant, during which the holder can re-enter New Zealand after travel abroad. Once that window closes, travel abroad and re-entry require the PRV or a new visa. The Permanent Residence Visa removes both the expiry date and the travel restrictions, providing unrestricted re-entry at any time and eliminating the need to renew residence status.
The Five Commitment Criteria
The physical presence criterion requires 184 days of residence in New Zealand in each of two qualifying twelve-month periods. Tax residency requires documented IRD tax residency status. Investment requires maintaining a qualifying financial investment in New Zealand for two years. Business operation requires running or managing a New Zealand business that contributes to the economy. Established base requires evidence such as property ownership, long-term employment, or strong family ties. Applicants choose the criterion best supported by their evidence; most applicants use the physical presence or tax residency method.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Residence Visa?
A New Zealand Resident Visa grants the right to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, but it carries travel conditions and has a defined validity period for re-entry after travel abroad. The Permanent Residence Visa has no expiry date and no travel restrictions; it allows unlimited re-entry to New Zealand at any time.
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Does a Permanent Residence Visa lead to citizenship?
The PRV itself does not confer citizenship but it satisfies the residence requirement needed to apply for New Zealand citizenship by grant. Most PRV holders qualify to apply for citizenship after holding a resident visa (including the qualifying period on a resident visa) for five years, subject to presence and character requirements.
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Can I apply for a Permanent Residence Visa from outside New Zealand?
Yes, you can apply from outside New Zealand, but you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the commitment criteria despite being abroad. If you are outside New Zealand for work, education, or other reasons, you may be able to use the tax residency or established-base criteria to satisfy the commitment requirement.
Next step
Speak with a licensed advisor about your visa options.
A focused consultation routed to the right licensed advisor. Continue independently after the call, or proceed with us and have the consultation fee deducted from the service fee.