New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa applications are now online

New Zealand Immigration, or INZ, has now taken the PR Visa application process online, in a bid to reduce the need for supplying physical copies of documents, such as passports. (Image credit: 飞-谢 via Pexels)

- Applications for the New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa (PRV), Second or Subsequent Resident Visa (SSRV) and Variation of Travel Conditions of a resident visa (VOTC) are now online, according to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

- Other permanent resident visa types, such as the Global Impact Permanent Resident Visa, and the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Permanent Resident Visa are not being moved online at this time.

New Zealand's permanent visa programme allows visa holders to live, work, and study in New Zealand; travel to and from New Zealand as they please; and bring their partner and dependent children up to 24 years of age to New Zealand on their visa application. New Zealand Immigration, or INZ, has now taken the PR Visa application process online, in a bid to reduce the need for supplying physical copies of documents, such as passports.

What to expect

Once you have applied, you will be able to see the status of your PR Visa application online. INZ will only accept paper applications in special circumstances or if an exception applies.

You must meet certain eligibility criteria to apply for PR in New Zealand, including having held a resident visa for at least two years. If you were outside New Zealand when your resident visa was issued, your first day in New Zealand on your resident visa must have been at least two years ago.

If you submit your application before you are eligible, it is likely that it will be declined, and you will need to re-apply once you have met all of the eligibility criteria. You will also need to pay the processing fee, starting New Zealand dollars 240, again.