Visas & Advice Detail
NZ temporary visa options
Hanna Lindon provides a brief overview of New Zealand's temporary visa options.
If you are not eligible to apply for permanent New Zealand residency, you may wish to consider travelling to the country on a temporary visa. In many cases, holders of temporary visas can go on to apply for permanent residence. In the case of the Work to Residence visa, holders can apply for permanent residence after two years of working in New Zealand.
Those entering New Zealand under a student visa or a working holiday visa can also see it as an opportunity to secure a job offer. It may also be possible to apply for a work to residence visa or a skilled migrant category visa.
Those who wish to work more temporarily in New Zealand also have the option of applying for a temporary work permit. If you have a job offer, wish to work in the country for a particular purpose or event, are currently a student or trainee wishing to gain New Zealand work experience, or are planning to work temporarily joining a partner, then you may qualify. Those in New Zealand on a working holiday may also apply under the Working Holiday Visa Scheme, which allows British citizens aged between 18 and 30 to work for up to 12 months.
Finally, those looking to study in New Zealand can apply for a student visa or permit. This will allow you to stay in New Zealand for the period for which you have paid course fees, up to a maximum of four years. Generally, you will need to study full time to qualify for a student visa and will only be able to work for up to 20 hours per week.
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