New Zealand is sometimes called the Britain of the South because it has a similar size and climate, plus it shares the language and other cultural elements. It continues to attract UK residents year after year thanks to its small population, pristine environment, and laidback way of life.
If you’re a Brit interested in making the move down under, this Remitly guide explores the most popular visas for UK citizens looking to relocate to New Zealand. We’ll also take you through the New Zealand visa application process and fees, the requirements and benefits of each visa, and how you can make the transition from visitor to resident to citizen.
Travelling to New Zealand as a tourist
As a UK passport holder, you can visit New Zealand without a visa for up to six months. This could be useful if you want to check the country out before deciding to move there—just remember, you can’t work or study on this permit.
You’ll need to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) visa waiver at least 72 hours before travelling. This costs $17 NZD when you use the app or $23 NZD on the website. You’ll also be prompted to pay a $100 NZD International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (about £45 GBP at the time of writing) to support the natural environment and tourism infrastructure.
Working holiday visa for young people
If you’re interested in working during your stay, New Zealand offers a working holiday visa to young people between 18 and 35. You must hold a UK passport and be currently living in the UK to apply.
Visas are available for 12, 23, or 36 months, allowing you to travel in and out of the country, take on temporary work, and study for up to six months. If you want to travel with a partner or child, they have to apply for their own visa.
To apply online, you’ll need:
- A valid passport with sufficient validity to cover the length of your stay
- Proof of your home address in the UK
- A chest x-ray and medical exam
- A police certificate demonstrating you are of good character
- Proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (at least $350 NZD per month)
- Proof you intend to leave the country when your visa expires
Plus, you’ll have to pay the $770 visa fee. You can follow the progress of your application online, and if successful, you’ll be emailed an eVisa, usually within two weeks. You then have 12 months to travel to New Zealand and start your working holiday.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The Accredited Employer Work Visa is designed for people who have a job offer in New Zealand. For the job to qualify, it must be at least 30 hours a week, pay the market rate, and be with an accredited employer. Your visa is linked to the job, so if you want to change jobs while in NZ, you‘ll have to apply to amend your visa.
Your employer has to start the application process for you, ensuring the job meets the visa requirements. They will then send you a personalised link to make your visa application online, which costs $1,540 NZD. Depending on the job and salary, you may be able to apply for additional visas for your family members.
When filling out the visa application, you’ll need to provide evidence that you have the skills required for the position. In most cases, this includes two years of relevant job experience, or a qualification at level four or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). You may be asked to provide proof of your credentials, references from previous employers, and previous job contracts.
Applications take about five weeks to be processed, but if your job is a high-demand Green List job, your application might be fast-tracked. The Green List includes roles in health, engineering, IT, and construction.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
New Zealand uses a points-based system for its Skilled Migrant Category Visa, which also requires a valid job offer. The benefit of this visa over an AEWV is that it offers immediate residency, so you can change jobs in NZ without updating your visa. To qualify, you must:
- Have a job offer from an accredited employer that meets wage requirements
- Be under 55 years old
- Show that you are in good health (with a medical exam)
- Demonstrate good character (with a clean police certificate)
- Have at least six “skill points”
You can claim three to six skill points if you have an NZ Professional Registration, a recognised qualification (a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD), or if you earn a high income. You have to choose one category only. If you need more points, you can add up to three points based on your years of skilled work experience in New Zealand. You can check the points associated with your occupation here.
If you think you meet the requirements, you can submit an expression of interest. You’ll then be emailed an invitation to apply with further instructions. You have four months to complete your application, which costs $6,450 NZD. You can expect a response within about four weeks.
Student visas
There are several different student visas available, depending on the type of study you plan to pursue. The most popular for UK applicants is the Fee-Paying Student Visa. This is aimed at international students who have been offered a place on a full-time course with a recognised New Zealand educational provider.
You’ll need to provide:
- Proof of enrolment
- Proof you have enough money to cover your tuition and living expenses
- Proof of health and travel insurance for the duration of your stay
The visa costs $850 NZD and takes about six weeks to be processed. It will be issued for the length of your course.
The minimum financial requirements are $20,000 NZD for your first year of study, or $1,667 per month if you are studying for less than a year. In most cases, you can also work up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during holidays.
When you’re done studying, you may be eligible to apply for a Post-Study Visa, which lets you live and work in New Zealand for three years after finishing your course.
New Zealand family visas
New Zealand offers a variety of visas that allow people with the right to live in New Zealand to sponsor family members to join them in New Zealand.
The Partner Visa is designed for the partners (legal marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship) of NZ citizens and residents. You’ll need to prove that you’ve had a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months at the time of applying. Dependent children under the age of 24 can usually be included in their parents’ visa application.
NZ citizens and residents can also apply to bring their parents to New Zealand if they meet the income thresholds to sponsor them. Retired people who have adult children living in New Zealand can also fund their own Parent Retirement Resident Visa.
New Zealand Visa application process
New Zealand has an online application portal for most of its visas, where you will need to upload digitised versions of your documentation (translated into English if necessary).
The required documentation depends on the type of visa you are applying for, but in most cases, you’ll need to provide:
- A valid passport with validity beyond the end of the visa you are applying for
- An acceptable photo (see the standards here)
- A chest x-ray and medical exam (here’s how to get this done)
- A police certificate stating you are of good character (here’s how to get one)
- Evidence of why you’re travelling to New Zealand, such as an employment contract or study enrolment
- Evidence that you can support yourself financially
There are no English language requirements for UK passport holders. Fees and processing times depend on the kind of visa you are applying for—you can find out more using this search tool.
When you submit your online application, you’ll be provided with information about where to send your passport and other physical documents, if required.
You can monitor the progress of your application online via the portal, and you will also get an email when a decision has been made. If you’re emailed an eVisa, you should print it out and take it with you when you travel.
What comes next? Permanent residency and citizenship
Before travelling to New Zealand on your visa, you must fill out a New Zealand Traveller Declaration within 24 hours of starting your travel to New Zealand. This is basically a digital landing card, and you can do it online or using the NZTD app.
In most cases, once you have been living in New Zealand legally for two years, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. You’ll apply online and should get a decision within two weeks. To qualify, you must have been continuously residing in New Zealand for two years (at least 184 days per year) or show an alternative commitment to life in New Zealand, for example, through investments. Student visa and working holiday visa holders don’t qualify for this route.
Most people can apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence in the country.
Planning your move to New Zealand
For UK passport holders looking to move to New Zealand, there are several accessible visa types for working or studying. New Zealand immigration also offers a transparent online application process that is much more straightforward than many other countries. When you get to New Zealand, UK citizens should have no problem fitting into the laidback culture, but prepare by reading our complete guide to moving to New Zealand here.
FAQs
Can I move to New Zealand without a job offer?
Yes, there are options for moving to New Zealand without a job offer. If you are a UK passport holder between the ages of 18 and 35, you can apply for a working holiday visa and stay for between 12 and 36 months. For wealthy individuals, there are also investment visas available.
What is the 6-point rule in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Visa uses a point system to qualify for the visa based on your qualifications and work experience. You need to earn at least six points to qualify for the visa, hence the “six-point rule.”
How do I apply for a New Zealand visa from the UK?
The New Zealand government encourages most people to make their visa applications online via their secure portal. If you do need to submit original documents, there is a visa centre in London where you can send your documents or make an appointment. New Zealand visa requirements for British citizens depend on the type of visa.
How long does a New Zealand visa take from the UK?
Processing times for New Zealand visas depend on the type of visa, but relatively small demand and an effective system mean that turnaround times tend to be fast. Wait times are usually between two and four weeks.