Destination information
New Zealand
Independent sovereign country (parliamentary democracy)
Competent authority: Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) · Last reviewed 26 July 2026
New Zealand administers visitor, student, work and residence visas through Immigration New Zealand. Immigration advice for New Zealand must generally be given by a licensed immigration adviser or a person who is exempt from licensing, so Friendship Immigration provides general information, education-support coordination and referral only unless a verified licensed or exempt adviser is responsible for the matter. Work rights and study rights depend on the conditions attached to the particular visa held.
Service routes
Tourist or visitor route
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredShort visits to New Zealand for tourism, family or eligible business purposes are governed by rules published by Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment). Visitor status does not provide a general right to work, and entry remains subject to border authorities.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Study route
Education Support AvailableStudy in New Zealand normally requires an offer of place from a recognised institution and the student visa or permission that New Zealand prescribes. Financial, academic, English-language and health-insurance requirements may apply, and study does not automatically guarantee post-study work or residence.
We can coordinate non-regulated education support such as course information, document organization and checklists.
Employment authorization
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredEmployment in New Zealand normally requires a genuine, verifiable employer and the work authorization published by Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment). A job offer does not guarantee a visa, and visitor status is not work authorization.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Skilled migration
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredSkilled routes, where New Zealand operates them, may involve occupation lists, skills assessment, English-language testing, age, experience, points, nomination or an invitation. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation or approval.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Family route
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredFamily, partner or dependant routes for New Zealand depend on the qualifying relationship, sponsorship, and the relationship, health and character evidence Immigration New Zealand (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) accepts.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Business or investor route
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredBusiness, trade or investor categories, where currently open in New Zealand, require independent verification and, in most cases, qualified legal, accounting or tax advice.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Temporary residence
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredTemporary residence categories in New Zealand, where they exist, are defined by that destination's law and depend on your purpose, sponsor and supporting documents.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Permanent residence
Licensed or Exempt Adviser RequiredPermanent or long-term residence in New Zealand, where officially available, is subject to statutory criteria and case-by-case assessment. Nothing on this page indicates that you are eligible.
Personalized New Zealand immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person.
Limitations and compliance
- Entry to New Zealand is decided by its border and immigration authorities at the time of travel.
- A visa issued by Australia or New Zealand does not automatically authorize entry, study, employment or residence in New Zealand.
- Tourist or visitor status does not normally provide a general right to work.
- Friendship Immigration does not advertise, sell or guarantee jobs, admissions, nominations, invitations, processing times or approvals.
- Official fees are payable to the relevant government, and third-party charges such as medical, police-certificate, translation, courier and biometric fees are separate.
- Fees, processing times and program requirements change; confirm them on the official sources listed on this page before acting.
Friendship Immigration may decline a matter where an employer, institution, document, qualification, source of funds or proposed activity cannot be satisfactorily verified.
Friendship Immigration does not guarantee visa approval, work authorization, employer sponsorship, job placement, educational admission, skills assessment, nomination, invitation to apply, residence, citizenship, processing times or entry at the border. Only the competent government authority can decide an application.
Payment covers only the services stated in the written agreement. It does not purchase or guarantee a visa, employer sponsorship, job, admission, nomination, invitation or residence outcome.