The primary purpose of having a New Zealand Resident Visa and a Permanent resident Visa is more or less same; there are certain differences between the same. Both allow foreign nationals to enter and re-enter the Kiwi land as a New Zealand residents.

Drawing the line between the TWO

Generally, when a foreign national’s application to reside in New Zealand is approved, he/she is granted with a resident visa. Let us have a look at the nature of a Resident Visa:

• A resident visa allows its holder to travel to New Zealand several times, as long as the travel conditions related to the visa are valid
• A resident visa also allows the foreign national to stay in New Zealand for indefinite time, if he/she is granted entry permission.

New Zealand Permanent Resident Visas are granted to resident visa holders who have complied with the conditions of their visa and shown a commitment to New Zealand. A permanent resident visa:

• Allows a resident to travel to and enter New Zealand anytime and
• Allows him/her to stay in New Zealand indefinitely.

A certain number of people without a New Zealand resident visa are also granted a permanent resident visa. They include:

• Refugees and protected people
• Individuals who have been approved of Residence to Work Visa to New Zealand under the Talent (Accredited Employer) category, however, they must meet a particular income threshold; and
• Partners of New Zealand citizens. In this case, both the partners must have been together for over 5 years and the New Zealand citizen must have been overseas for over 5 years.

If you are interested in applying for a residence permit to New Zealand, mail following information ASAP at ajay@abhinav.com for a free of charge assessment by Ajay Sharma, principal consultant, ABHINAV.

• Your updated resume if skilled professional, or if businessmen, then brief on business profile along with information on your current personal net worth.
• If married, provide the resume for your spouse as well.
• If applicable, please provide information on children and their age.
• Information on any blood relatives residing in New Zealand. This is not a compulsory requirement to qualify for immigration to New Zealand, but serves as additional positive assessment and suitability factor.