What is New Zealand Residency and Permanent Residency?

New Zealand’s resident visas allow applicants to stay in the country permanently. This means that they, along with the family members under their application, are free to live, work and study in New Zealand. They would have almost the same rights and privileges as a New Zealand citizen, such as access to New Zealand’s health care and education systems, rights to buy the same properties as New Zealanders, and voting rights after being in the country for at least 12 months.

The only limitation that distinguishes a resident visa apart from a permanent residency visa is that it has an expiry date. The ‘Expiry Date Travel’ on the visa is when travel conditions expire and the conditions must be renewed in order to continue travelling in and out New Zealand. This is why residents move on to the permanent resident visa after requirements are met. That can be done after two years as a New Zealand resident, and the benefit, rights and privileges that comes with it is the same as the resident visa with an exception that there are no expiry dates and no travel conditions.

Benefits of a Resident and Permanent Resident

As New Zealand is known for its wonderful lifestyle, many wonder how exclusive the benefits are. However, it is more accessible than people believe as it is not only available for local citizens; Most of the benefits also apply to those with a Resident or Permanent Resident Visas.

Healthcare

Both public and private healthcare in New Zealand are excellent. Even during the current pandemic, it can be seen that New Zealand is handling medical resources very well. Residences have full access to public healthcare in New Zealand, availing medical facilities at subsidized rates as well as social security benefits.

Education

New Zealand is comfortably in the world’s top 20 nations for the quality of their schools according to the OECD in 2016, and all eight of their universities are ranked in the top 500 QS World University Rankings 2016/17. Those who have obtained a resident visa, along with their dependent children, have full access to primary, secondary, and tertiary education with no international student charges. Furthermore, after 3 years of living under the resident visa, visa holders will also have full access to student allowance and loans.

Support

New Zealand provides a lot of support to help their residents through unemployment and retirement, and for families, with dependent children aged 18 and under, who require support raising the household. They are classified as ‘Jobseeker Support’, ‘Superannuation’, and ‘Working for Families’ tax credits. Residents are eligible to have full access to such benefits after a certain period of time while being a resident; Residents are eligible for Job Seeker Support after 2 years, Superannuation after 10 years (5 years if after the age of 50), and Working for Families after 1 year.

For further information relating to migration, feel free to contact our team at +6010 229 2114 or email enquiry@globalmigrationsolutions.com