The Crucial Documents Needed For New Zealand PR Visa

By: Emily Wilson

While applying for most NZ visas, you’ll have to show proof that you fulfill the criteria of the visa you are applying for. Quite a few of the documents needed as proof can take time to gather; thus, make sure that you have enough time before you wish to submit your application. A few pieces of evidence just stay valid for a specific period, for example, a period of 6 months.

How to Acquire New Zealand PR Visa?

Residence and permanent residence are two different things. A permanent residence permit is generally the natural outcome of a resident permit. Resident permits have travel conditions that just let an individual re-enter NZ as a resident until a given date, whereas a PR permit lets indefinite re-entry to NZ.

What are the Documents Required for Permanent Residence?

Your resident permit terminates on the date when you leave NZ or the day after the date your travel conditions terminated.

If you wish to go outside New Zealand after your resident permit travel conditions have terminated, you have to apply for a PR permit or a subsequent resident permit to reclaim your resident status.
 

Who Qualifies for Permanent Residence?

To qualify for permanent residence, you need to live within New Zealand for a minimum of 2 years. You can even qualify if you meet any of these NZ PR Visa Requirements:
  • You own a business in NZ.
  • You have NZ tax residence status.
  • You have established a base in NZ.
  • You have invested in NZ.
In case you don’t meet any of the above conditions, you might still qualify to extend the travel conditions on a resident permit. This would give you a longer period to come back to NZ as a resident. If you are out of New Zealand with no valid travel conditions letting you return as a resident, your resident permit has been terminated. But, in some instances, it is possible to seek a PR permit or a new resident permit, confirming that you have not been out of NZ long.

Documents needed for New Zealand Permanent Residency Visa

  1. Visa application form.
  2. Bank statements with sufficient funds in the bank account.
  3. A valid passport with a validity of a minimum of 6 months.
  4. Two recent coloured photographs.
  5. Financial documents including property investments, fixed deposits, etc.
  6. Income tax returns for the last three years.
  7. Proof of finances of a minimum of 1000 NZD per month for maintenance and accommodation, or 400 NZD per month if your accommodation has been prepaid.

Perks of Becoming a Permanent Resident of New Zealand

  1. You can live within New Zealand for an indefinite period.
  2. You are allowed to work in NZ or within the exclusive economic zone of NZ.
  3. You can access free or subsidized medical care at public hospitals.
  4. You can vote in the elections after 1 year of residence.
  5. You can receive free education at government primary and secondary schools.
  6. You can apply for NZ citizenship after living continuously in the country for many years.
Obtaining a New Zealand permanent residency visa is quite advantageous since a person can access many facilities ranging from free education to a better lifestyle.