Your Journey to New Zealand Starts Here
Welcome to Kiwi Fern Immigration Services—your trusted partner in achieving your dream of living, working, studying, or visiting New Zealand. Navigating the immigration process can feel complex, but our expert team is here to provide personalized guidance, from initial application to final approval.
New Zealand offers a range of visa pathways designed for different goals. To help you determine the best option, we’ve outlined the four main categories below. Click on any link to explore the details, requirements, and how we can support your application for that specific visa.
Student Visa: Learn, Grow, and Explore
New Zealand’s world-class education system is a gateway to opportunity. A Student Visa allows you to pursue full-time study at an approved education provider, offering a chance to gain globally recognised qualifications while experiencing the Kiwi lifestyle.
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Who it’s for: Individuals enrolled in a full-time course eligible for international fee-paying students for more than three months.
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Key Benefit: Potential to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during study and full-time during scheduled breaks, depending on the course.
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Pathway: Often leads to a Post-Study Work Visa, which can be a step towards residence.
Work Visa: Build Your Career in Aotearoa
Ready to contribute your skills to New Zealand’s vibrant economy? Work Visas are for those with a job offer from an accredited employer or specialised skills needed in the country. This category includes temporary visas that can put you on a path to permanent residency.
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Who it’s for: Skilled workers, those with a job offer from an Accredited Employer or Young people on a; Working Holiday or Partner of students – Level 7 or 8 on Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list or the Green List or Level 9 or 10 or Partner of AEWV holders or Partner of NZ Citizens/Residents
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Pathway: Visas like the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on high skilled roles and occupations on the Green List can lead to residence or pathway to residence after a period of work.
Resident Visa: Make New Zealand Your Forever Home
A Resident Visa grants you the right to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. This is the goal for many immigrants and represents the final step in your long-term settlement.
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Who it’s for: Skilled migrants, investors, entrepreneurs, or those with strong family ties to New Zealand.
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Key Pathways: The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is the primary route for skilled professionals, while others include the Green list – Straight to residence, Green list – Work to residence, Care workforce, Transport Sector, Partnership or Investment pathways.
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Goal: Provides a path to New Zealand citizenship and allows unrestricted travel to and from New Zealand.
Visitor Visa: Experience the Land of the Long White Cloud
Whether you’re planning a holiday, visiting family, or simply exploring the country, a Visitor Visa is for short stays in New Zealand. This category allows you to see the sights and enjoy the culture. For longer term, you can consider the Parent/Grandparent visitor visa or Parent booster visitor visa.
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Who it’s for: Tourists, people visiting friends or family, and short-term business visitors or Parent/Grandparents of NZ citizens/residents
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Key Condition: Generally allows a stay of up to 6 or 9 months and prohibits working. You can, however, study for up to three months.
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Note on NZeTA: If you are from a visa-waiver country, you may only need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) and an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Unsure which visa is right for you? The best option depends entirely on your personal circumstances, goals, and qualifications.
Contact Kiwi Fern Immigration Services today for a consultation to discuss your specific needs and create a tailored immigration strategy.