Show Your Commitment — Secure Your Permanent Residency

New Zealand offers a welcoming environment and a clear pathway to Permanent Residency (PR) for skilled professionals, business investors, and families. To qualify for a PR visa, you must demonstrate your commitment to New Zealand in one of the five approved ways:

1. Time Spent in New Zealand

You must have lived in New Zealand for at least 184 days as a resident in each of the last two years immediately before your PR application date.

2. Tax Residence Status

You may qualify if:

• You’ve lived in New Zealand for 41 days or more as a resident in each of the past two years, and

• You are assessed as a New Zealand tax resident during this period.

3. Investment in New Zealand

You have invested NZ$1,000,000 or more in an acceptable investment, held for two years or longer.

4. Business Ownership in New Zealand

You have started or purchased a successful business in New Zealand at least 12 months before applying.

• If buying an existing business, you must hold a minimum 25% ownership.
• The business must benefit the local economy.

5. Establishing a Base in New Zealand

You can prove this through a combination of:

• Living in New Zealand as a resident for at least 41 days in the year before your PR application.
• Dependents included in your application have lived 184 days in each of the last two years.
• Homeownership: Purchased a home within 12 months before or after becoming a resident, and currently living in it.
• Employment: Worked full-time in NZ for at least 9 months within the last 2 years.

PR Visa Options You Can Apply Through

New Zealand offers several visa pathways that can lead to permanent residency, including:

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Partner of a New Zealand Resident Visa
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Work or Resident Visa
• Family Reunification Visas

Most Popular Pathway: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Visa

The SMC visa uses a points-based system.

• You must score at least 100–135 points to enter the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool.
• To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR, you need a minimum of 140 points.

Points are awarded based on:

• Age
• Job offer and current employment
• Work experience
• Educational qualifications
• Close family ties in New Zealand

Start Your Journey with PassX:

At PassX Immigration, we guide you through every step — from eligibility checks and EOI submission to documentation and final visa application. Let’s make New Zealand your future home!