Move to New Zealand: residence permits, visas and cost of living

Ways to live in New Zealand

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Work permit Work permits →

Working Holiday Visa

Work-and-travel visa for young people from partner countries; usually 12 months (Canada up to 23 months, UK up to 36).

What you need: Age 18–30 for most countries (18–35 for the UK, Canada and some others) and funds of usually NZ$4,200. Some countries have quotas.
Savings: about $2,450
How long: Usually 12 months; 23–36 months for some nationalities
Renewable: No
Cost: From NZ$770
How to apply: Online via Immigration New Zealand, by nationality-specific scheme
Path to permanent residence: Not directly

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Fee Paying Student Visa

For international students who pay their own tuition at an approved New Zealand provider.

What you need: Offer of place from an approved provider, tuition for one year or the course paid or affordable, and living funds of NZD 20,000 a year (NZD 1,667 a month for shorter courses), or a sponsor. Work up to 25 hours a week in term and full-time in scheduled holidays.
Savings: about $11,600
How long: Up to 4 years, usually matching the paid study period
Renewable: Yes
Cost: from NZD 850
Processing time: 80% decided within 7 weeks
How to apply: Online with Immigration New Zealand

Official page

Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →

Active Investor Plus Visa

Resident visa for investors: NZ$5 million for 3 years (Growth) or NZ$10 million for 5 years (Balanced). Very little time in NZ is required.

What you need: Growth: NZ$5m in direct investments or managed funds for 3 years and at least 21 days in NZ; Balanced: NZ$10m in a wider range of assets for 5 years and at least 105 days in NZ. Funds must be invested within 6 months of approval in principle.
Savings: about $2,900,000
How long: Indefinite resident visa with conditions for 3 or 5 years
Renewable: No
Cost: From NZ$27,470
Processing time: 80% of approvals in principle within 11 weeks
How to apply: Online via Immigration New Zealand
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Permanent Resident Visa after 36 months (Growth) or 60 months (Balanced) once conditions are met

Official page

Business Investor Work Visa

For people who buy and actively run an established New Zealand business. It replaced the Entrepreneur Work Visa, which is closed to new applicants.

What you need: At least NZD 1 million invested in an established business you run, plus NZD 500,000 in reserve funds. Age 55 or under and English. The business must be bought within the first 9 months.
Savings: about $580,000
How long: Up to 4 years, with one renewal of up to 2 years
Renewable: Yes
Cost: from NZD 12,380
How to apply: Online with Immigration New Zealand
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Leads to residence after 3 years of running the business, or after 12 months if you invest NZD 2 million.

Official page

Residence permit Residence permits →

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Direct residence for skilled workers who have, or are offered, a skilled job with an accredited New Zealand employer.

What you need: 6 points from a qualification, professional registration or income, plus up to 3 for New Zealand work experience. Age 55 or under, English, a full-time skilled job (at least 30 hours a week), good health and character.
Renewable: No
Cost: from NZD 6,450; expression of interest is free
How to apply: Submit an expression of interest online; if invited, apply within 4 months
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: This is a resident visa: you live and work in New Zealand indefinitely.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

One-bedroom flat	$960
Two-bedroom flat	$1,540
Bills	$120
Typical local salary	$3,220

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Beaches, volcanoes, fiords and alpine lakes are all within reach, and weekends are for tramping, surfing and skiing. Auckland is the main hub, Wellington is creative and compact, and Christchurch and Queenstown sit near the Alps.

Day to day

Domestic flights and long drives are the norm, as rail is limited. Public healthcare is solid, with waits for non-urgent care. Cards and contactless work everywhere. Internet is good in towns but patchy in remote areas.

Trade-offs

It is far from almost everywhere, so visiting family is a long trip. Housing is expensive and many homes are cold and damp. Earthquakes are a real risk.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does New Zealand have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How can I move to New Zealand?

The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa, Residence permit.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for New Zealand were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for New Zealand were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

Other countries in Oceania

Australia