Permanent Residence
There are various categories for permanent residence, each with their own requirements:
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
This is the most common route to residence in New Zealand. It is designed to match migrants' skills and experience with New Zealand's human capital requirements. The SMC category works on a points system, based on your qualifications, work experience, New Zealand employment or job offer and a number of other factors.
Immigration Policy and its practical interpretation is often complex and needs attention to detail and tailoring to each person’s unique situation. To get a comprehensive analysis of your particular situation, please contact us. To get an initial idea of whether you may qualify, you can view the Points Indicator.
Greenstone Global's process of managing SMC applications:
We know that applying for Permanent Residency is an expensive and time-consuming undertaking that you want to get right first time. We understand you need to know that you have a high chance of success, before committing yourself to the process.
This is why we split our SMC process into the following stages:
First meeting/telephone call
There is no charge for this first contact. During this process we can understand your requirements, background and current circumstances. We can give you a high level initial assessment to see if it’s worth you continuing the process. You can phone us or set up a meeting in our offices (contact us).
Initial assessment
In this phase, we give you an in-depth, written assessment, based on the documentation your provide us. This determines (with a high degree of certainty) the number of points you are able to claim under the SMC.
This effort ensures you do not waste time and money applying for points that you are unlikely to be awarded. We also review your documentation at this point and advise where further supporting documentation is required.
Expression of Interest Phase
In this stage, we:
- Complete the Expression of Interest online for you
- Guide you through the NZQA process, if required
- Notify you of supporting documentation still required to get your application up to a high standard
- Assist with information on registering with professional authorities if required
- Confirm technical policy issues with the Immigration New Zealand Technical Adviser, if required
- Liaise with Immigration New Zealand with a view to securing your invitation to apply for residence
- Plan proof of your English abilities
Application for Residence Phase
During this final phase, we:
- Are able to use our experience and knowledge to promote your best interests during the process in order to give you the maximum opportunity to obtain your residence permits.
- Focus on getting your documentation organized in a professional, complete format which will limit the need for Immigration NZ to come back and ask for additional information.
- Assist you with obtaining translations from other languages to English
- Make certified copies of whatever documentation requires it
- Scan in and store a full copy of your application to Immigration New Zealand and supporting documentation
- Liaise with Immigration NZ on your behalf throughout the process, dealing with all technical policy issues
- Help you work through any Health or Character issues
Family Category
Immigration New Zealand have a range of family policies enabling partners, dependent children, parents, siblings or adult children of New Zealand citizens or residents to come to live in New Zealand.
The categories below summarize which family members may potentially qualify. Again, each case needs to be investigated in depth to make sure all detailed requirements are met. For more details contact us:
- Partner - you are the husband, wife, de-facto or civil union partner of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Dependent Child - you are a dependent child with a parent who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Parent - you have a child who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Brother, sister or adult child - you have a brother, sister or adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Business and Investment Category
This category is targeted at investors or business people aiming to either establish a business in New Zealand or invest within New Zealand.
Migrant Investment policy
New Zealand has recently passed Immigration legislation aimed at making it easier for larger investors to gain Residency. The two main categories and their requirements are listed below:
| Key requirements | Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) | Investor (Investor 2 Category) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum age | No requirement | 65 or younger |
| Business experience | No requirement | Minimum of three years |
| Investment funds | NZ$10 million invested in NZ for three years | NZ$1.5 million invested in NZ for four years |
| Settlement funds | No requirement | NZ$1 million (transfer not required) |
| Principal applicant's English language | No requirement | English speaking background, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test report with an overall band score of three or more, or competent user of English |
| Family member's English language | No requirement | Same as principal applicant or pre-purchase ESOL tuition |
| Minimum time in New Zealand | 73 days in NZ in each of the last two years of the three-year investment period | 146 days in NZ in each of the last three years of the four-year investment period |
| Health and character | Applicants under both categories must meet health and character requirements. |
Source: Immigration New Zealand
Contact us for more details.
Entrepreneur Policy
This category provides a pathway to residence for migrants who can demonstrate they have been actively participating in business and contributing to New Zealand’s economic development.
The Entrepreneur policy is divided into two categories:
- Entrepreneur
- Entrepreneur Plus.
Entrepreneur Category
If you have successfully established a business in New Zealand, and you have been ‘self-employed’ in that business for at least two years, and your business has benefitted New Zealand, you may be eligible for residence in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Category if you:
- hold a long-term business permit (The Long-Term Business Visa (LTBV) policy allows you to apply for a three-year work visa to give you enough time to move to New Zealand and start your business before you apply for residence.)
Entrepreneur Plus Category
The Entrepreneur Plus Category provides a faster track to residence if you:
- hold a long-term business permit (the Long-Term Business Visa (LTBV) policy allows you to apply for a three-year work visa to give you enough time to move to New Zealand and start your business before you apply for residence).
- have successfully established a business in New Zealand
- have been ‘self-employed’ in that business
- have invested at least NZ$0.5 million in the business, and
- have created a minimum of three new full-time jobs for New Zealand citizens or residents.