Visaplus for New Zealand visas and emigration assistance

Favourite Questions

Q1. What is the difference between a visa and a permit?
Answer: Visas are issued outside New Zealand, and give the holder a right to enter New Zealand and be issued with a permit to remain. Every time a person with a valid Residence Visa (or RRV) enters New Zealand, they are given a Residence Permit.

Residence permits are only issued to people in New Zealand, and allows them to remain in New Zealand, indefinitely. For example, someone entering New Zealand with a valid Visitor's Visa will usually be issued, at the airport, with a 3-month Visitor's Permit. A person entering New Zealand with a valid Residence Visa will be issued with a Residence Permit, allowing them to remain indefinitely. The Residence Permit expires when the person leaves New Zealand.

Q2. Do all my family members need to apply separately?
Answer: No, permanent residence visa categories have a main applicant, but your spouse/partner and any dependent children may be included in the application subject to certain conditions.

However, Work visas are per person and not per family; although your spouse/partner can apply for a work visa for the same period (if your visa is granted) and your children can also apply for a student visa if applicable.

Q3. How long will my visa application take to be processed?
Answer: Processing times vary widely but a realistic estimate for Skilled Migrant and Family Category visa applications is 6-12 months and for Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) applications, 12-24 months and sometimes longer.

Q4. What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship?
Answer: Permanent residence is the right to reside in New Zealand permanently, while Citizenship gives the person the right to a New Zealand passport. Applicants must have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years before they can apply.

The New Zealand Government allows New Zealand passport holders to hold other passports as well.

Q5: How do I find out if I'm eligible?
Answer: The fastest way to find out is via our full Visaplus Appraisal Assessment which is a proven systematic system to thoroughly examine and report on all of your options.

Read more Questions and Answers…including about Points – Employment – Retirement - Visitors - Pets (PDF)