New Zealand Permanent Residence: Requirements and Costs [2026] | Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Investor Visa and Resident Visa

October 18, 2026

Taiga Sato

Permanent residence in New Zealand is normally a two-stage process: you first obtain a Resident Visa, then switch to a Permanent Resident Visa after two years. The main pathway, the Skilled Migrant Category, requires that you are 55 or under and are employed by, or have a job offer from, a New Zealand accredited employer, and you must then meet further requirements such as the six-point system. On the other hand, the investor visa (Active Investor Plus), which requires an investment of NZ$5 million or more, has no English-language or age requirement, so a route for people with significant assets remains open. Based on information published by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), this article covers the following.

*Amounts and rules are as of October 1, 2026. This article is an English version of our Japanese guide, adapted for foreign residents of Japan and international investors.

A comparison of the main routes to a Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa (requirements and costs)
The difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa, and the conditions for switching
The three Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways, the six-point system, and the English and wage requirements
The Green List, partner visas, the investor visa (Active Investor Plus), the Business Investor visa and parent visas
Starting from a Working Holiday visa
Citizenship and Japanese nationality

*This article is a general explanation based on information published as of October 1, 2026 (Immigration New Zealand, Japan's Ministry of Justice, etc.). Visa requirements and fees change. Costs shown are government application fees (including the immigration levy); English tests, qualification assessments, medical examinations, translations and other costs are extra. For advice on your individual application, please consult a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) in New Zealand or another qualified professional.

Contents

Summary: skilled migration based on local employment, and the investor visa
Resident Visa, Permanent Resident Visa and the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
Investor visa, Business Investor visa and parent visas
Aiming for residence from a Working Holiday visa
After permanent residence: citizenship and Japanese nationality
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion: an accredited employer job offer and the age-55 limit, or the investor visa if you have assets

Summary: skilled migration based on local employment, and the investor visa

Main routes to a New Zealand Resident Visa (as of October 1, 2026; costs are government fees for the principal applicant)
Route	Main requirements	Cost	Suited to
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)	Age 55 or under, job or job offer with an accredited employer, English (e.g. IELTS 6.5), and one of three pathways	NZ$6,450	Professionals and technical workers hired by a New Zealand company
Green List (Straight to Residence / Work to Residence)	Work for an accredited employer in a shortage occupation (some occupations can apply immediately, others after 24 months). Age 55 or under	NZ$6,450	People in eligible occupations such as healthcare and technical roles
Partner	Living together with a New Zealander or resident for 12 months or more	NZ$5,360	People whose partner is a New Zealander or resident
Active Investor Plus	Invest NZ$5,000,000 or more (Growth category) or NZ$10,000,000 or more (Balanced category). No English requirement	NZ$27,470	People with significant assets
Business Investor Work Visa → Resident Visa	Invest NZ$1,000,000 or more in an existing business and run it. Age 55 or under, English	NZ$12,380	People who want to buy and run a business
Parent Retirement Resident Visa	Invest NZ$1,000,000 for four years, plus separate settlement funds and income requirements	NZ$12,850	Parents whose children live in New Zealand

Whichever route you take, what you receive first is a Resident Visa with travel conditions; you apply for the Permanent Resident Visa afterwards. To compare the cost of permanent residence across countries, see our summary of permanent residence and long-stay visa costs worldwide (in Japanese); for other countries where skilled migration is the main route, see also moving to Australia and the requirements for permanent residence and Canadian permanent residence requirements and costs.

Resident Visa, Permanent Resident Visa and the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

The difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa

In New Zealand, what you first obtain through skilled migration and similar routes is a Resident Visa. A Resident Visa lets you live, work and study indefinitely, but the period during which you can travel in and out of the country (the travel conditions) is generally limited to two years. Once you have held a Resident Visa for two years and can show your commitment to New Zealand (by one of five methods, such as spending 184 days or more in New Zealand in each of the last two years), you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which has no travel conditions. The application fee for a Permanent Resident Visa is NZ$315, and 80% of applications are processed within two weeks.

If you are outside New Zealand when the travel conditions on your Resident Visa expire, the Resident Visa itself lapses. You can also apply for citizenship after living in New Zealand as a resident for five years, without first obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa.

The three SMC pathways and costs

The common requirements for the Skilled Migrant Category are: (1) age 55 or under, (2) working full-time in a skilled job for an accredited employer, or holding a job offer for one, (3) English, and (4) health and character checks. You first submit a free Expression of Interest (EOI); if you meet the requirements you will be invited, and you then apply within four months. The application fee is NZ$6,450 (application fee NZ$2,880 + immigration levy NZ$3,570), and 80% of applications are processed within four months. Following the changes on August 24, 2026, there are now three pathways.

The three SMC pathways (INZ, checked October 1, 2026)
Pathway	Main requirements
Points system	Six points required. Earn 3–6 points from one of: qualifications, New Zealand occupational registration, or income; make up any shortfall with skilled work experience in New Zealand (1 point for 1 year, 2 points for 1.5 years, 3 points for 2 years)
Skilled Work Experience	At least 3 years of relevant work experience + at least 2 years of skilled work in New Zealand (5 years in total). Pay of at least 1.1 times the SMC threshold (NZ$38.50 per hour). No qualification required
Trades and Technician	In an eligible occupation, at least 2.5 years of work experience after obtaining a Level 4 or higher qualification + at least 1.5 years of skilled work in New Zealand (4 years in total). Pay at or above the SMC threshold

Main points under the points system (INZ)
Item	Points
Qualifications (obtained overseas)	Doctorate 6 / Master's 5 / Bachelor's, Bachelor's with Honours or Postgraduate Diploma 4
Qualifications (obtained in New Zealand)	Doctorate 6 / Master's (at least 30 weeks full-time, with a Bachelor's) 6 / Bachelor's or Bachelor's with Honours 5
New Zealand occupational registration	3–6 points depending on the years of training and experience required for registration (e.g. chartered accountant, registered plumber)
Income	6 points for at least 3 times the SMC threshold (NZ$105 per hour), 4 points for at least 2 times (NZ$70), 3 points for at least 1.5 times (NZ$52.50)
Skilled work experience in New Zealand	1 year 1 point / 1.5 years 2 points / 2 years 3 points (maximum 3 points)

The SMC wage threshold is linked to the median wage and has been NZ$35.00 per hour since March 9, 2026. For English, you need, for example, IELTS (General Training or Academic) 6.5 or higher, TOEFL iBT 79 or higher, or PTE Academic 58 or higher; results are valid for two years. A Bachelor's degree from a Japanese university alone is worth only 4 points, so reaching six points directly from Japan is limited to people with a doctorate or a high New Zealand income (NZ$105 per hour or more). Most people first get hired by a New Zealand accredited employer on a work visa and build up points through income and local work experience.

In addition, occupations on the shortage list (the Green List), such as doctors, nurses and engineers, are divided into those that can apply for a Resident Visa immediately when working for an accredited employer (Straight to Residence) and those that can apply after working for 24 months (Work to Residence) (both require age 55 or under; the application fee is NZ$6,450). People who have lived together with a New Zealander or resident partner for 12 months or more can apply for a partner Resident Visa (NZ$5,360).

Investor visa, Business Investor visa and parent visas

Active Investor Plus, revised on April 1, 2025, grants a Resident Visa on the condition of investing in New Zealand. The English requirement has been removed, and no upper age limit is specified for the principal applicant. Once the investment period is complete, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.

The two Active Investor Plus categories (INZ, checked October 1, 2026)
Category	Investment	Investment period	Days in New Zealand	Application fee
Growth	NZ$5,000,000 or more (direct investment in New Zealand companies and investment funds; philanthropy up to 20%)	3 years	At least 21 days over 3 years	NZ$27,470
Balanced	NZ$10,000,000 or more (in addition to direct investment and funds, listed shares, bonds, property development, etc. also qualify)	5 years	At least 105 days over 5 years (reduced by 14 days for every additional NZ$1 million of Growth-category investment, down to a minimum of 63 days)	NZ$27,470

On November 24, 2025, the Business Investor Work Visa was launched for people who invest in and run an existing New Zealand business. With an investment of NZ$1,000,000 you can apply for a Resident Visa after three years, or after 12 months with NZ$2,000,000 (in both cases the business must be run for a total of three years). Eligible businesses must have operated for at least five years and employ at least five full-time-equivalent staff; requirements include NZ$500,000 in reserve funds, three years of business experience, age 55 or under, and English. The application fee is NZ$12,380, and with this change the Entrepreneur Work Visa closed to new applications.

For parents whose children live in New Zealand, there is the Parent Retirement Resident Visa (invest NZ$1,000,000 for four years, with separate settlement funds of NZ$500,000 and annual income of NZ$60,000 or more; application fee NZ$12,850), and the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, launched on September 29, 2025 (a visitor visa allowing stays of up to five years, not a residence right; application fee from NZ$3,100).

Aiming for residence from a Working Holiday visa

Japanese nationals can join New Zealand's Working Holiday scheme between the ages of 18 and 30, for up to 12 months (with a three-month extension if you work for three months in specified industries). The application fee starts at NZ$770, and funds of NZ$4,200 are required. If you are not a Japanese national, check the Working Holiday arrangement for your own country. A Working Holiday visa does not itself lead to residence, but it is used as an entry point: get hired by a local accredited employer, switch to a work visa, and build up skilled migrant points through income and skilled work experience in New Zealand. Because the Working Holiday visa is available only up to age 30 and skilled migration up to age 55, it is important to plan early.

After permanent residence: citizenship and Japanese nationality

Main rules after obtaining a Resident or Permanent Resident Visa (INZ, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, Japan's Ministry of Justice)
Item	Details
Permanent Resident Visa	No travel conditions; you can enter and leave freely as long as your passport holds a valid visa
Citizenship	As a resident, at least 1,350 days in New Zealand in the last five years and at least 240 days in each year. Application fee NZ$641 (age 16 and over). You do not need to obtain a Permanent Resident Visa first
Dual nationality	New Zealand does not require you to give up your original nationality
For Japanese nationals: Japanese nationality	A Japanese national who voluntarily acquires New Zealand citizenship loses Japanese nationality (Nationality Act, Article 11(1))
Agreements with Japan	A tax treaty is in place

For Japanese nationals, obtaining a Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa does not affect Japanese nationality. Japanese nationality is lost when you voluntarily acquire New Zealand citizenship (nationality). We explain how Japan treats nationality in our list of countries that allow dual citizenship (in Japanese), and the resident registration and tax procedures before and after leaving Japan in taxes and resident registration when moving abroad (in Japanese). Applicants aged 17 and over are asked for a police certificate (for Japan, a Certificate of Criminal Record issued within the last six months), and for proof of birth showing both parents' names (for Japanese nationals, a family register (koseki) certificate or similar with an English translation) (see how to obtain a birth certificate (in Japanese) and how to obtain a Certificate of Criminal Record (in Japanese)).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a New Zealand Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa?

A Resident Visa lets you live, work and study indefinitely, but the period during which you can travel in and out (the travel conditions) is generally limited to two years. Once you have held a Resident Visa for two years and meet conditions such as spending 184 days or more in New Zealand in each of the last two years, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa with no travel conditions (application fee NZ$315).

Up to what age can I get New Zealand permanent residence?

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), the Green List and the Business Investor Work Visa require you to be 55 or under at the time of application. Active Investor Plus (investment of NZ$5 million or more) specifies no upper age limit for the principal applicant, and there is no upper age limit for a partner Resident Visa either.

Can I apply under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) while living in Japan?

Because you need a job or job offer with an accredited employer, you must first obtain a job offer. In addition, a Japanese Bachelor's degree is worth 4 points, so reaching six points is limited to cases such as having a doctorate or a high New Zealand income (NZ$105 per hour or more). Most people work in New Zealand on a work visa and build up points through income and local work experience before applying.

Can I get New Zealand permanent residence by investing money?

There is Active Investor Plus (investment of NZ$5,000,000 or more) and the Business Investor Work Visa (investing NZ$1,000,000 or more in an existing business and running it). In both cases you first obtain a Resident Visa, then apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after completing the investment or business period.

How much English do I need?

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) requires, for example, IELTS (General Training or Academic) 6.5 or higher, TOEFL iBT 79 or higher, or PTE Academic 58 or higher. The English requirement for Active Investor Plus was removed on April 1, 2025.

For Japanese nationals: what happens to my Japanese nationality if I get permanent residence?

You do not lose Japanese nationality by holding a Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa. You lose Japanese nationality when you voluntarily acquire New Zealand citizenship (nationality) (Nationality Act, Article 11(1)).

Conclusion: an accredited employer job offer and the age-55 limit, or the investor visa if you have assets

The standard path to New Zealand permanent residence is to obtain a job offer from an accredited employer while 55 or under, meet the skilled migrant requirements, and switch from a Resident Visa to a Permanent Resident Visa after two years. People with significant assets have another option, Active Investor Plus, which has no English or age requirement. Note that for Japanese nationals, a Resident or Permanent Resident Visa does not affect Japanese nationality, but acquiring citizenship does mean losing it. For how easy permanent residence is compared with other countries, see countries where it is easier to obtain permanent residence (in Japanese).

Our office provides consultations on relocation abroad, permanent residence and citizenship. For New Zealand, we can help you identify the route that suits you and your family, and prepare the documents that need to be obtained in Japan (we do not act as representatives for New Zealand visa applications, as that is the work of licensed immigration advisers). We handle English translations of documents required for applications, such as family register (koseki) certificates and Certificates of Criminal Record, authentication procedures such as apostilles and notarization (in Japanese), and obtaining family register certificates from overseas (in Japanese). We can assist in English and Japanese, and we never use pushy sales tactics. As Certified Administrative Scriveners, we are bound by a legal duty of confidentiality.