Want to Migrate to New Zealand? Things You Need to Know

Residents are pushing for a change in the migration laws between Australia and New Zealand as well as Canada and the United Kingdom, but if you want to migrate to New Zealand and don't have time to wait for the laws to change, there are things you can do. Here's what you need to know:

1. You can travel freely between Australia and New Zealand.

As a citizen of Australia, you can travel freely to New Zealand without a travel visa, and once you arrive at the airport, you will automatically be given a resident visa. This allows you to stay for as long as you like, and you can also work in the country whilst you are there. However, if you leave the country, your resident visa immediately expires, and you have to get a new one on your way back in. If you like, you can avoid this process by establishing yourself as a permanent resident of New Zealand.

2. You must stay for two years to become a permanent resident.

To become a permanent resident, you must stay in New Zealand for two years without leaving. Unfortunately, those two years have to be continuous. If you travel back to Australia or leave the country for any other reason, your count starts over again.

With a bit of advance planning, however, you can avoid that. You simply need to talk with a migration agent or with the immigration services in New Zealand about making an exception. This is typically called a variation of travel conditions.

3. There are ways to speed up the permanent residency process.

Fortunately, you don't have to necessarily wait two years to become a permanent resident of New Zealand. If you want to apply sooner, you simply need to make a significant investment or start a business in New Zealand.

Either of those options shows your commitment to New Zealand, and that is what the immigration officers are attempting to measure. If you want to ensure your application is accepted, you should work with a migration agent. They work with Australians who want to migrate to other countries every single day, and they can help to ensure your application is fully filled out with the most relevant details to improve your chances of success.

4. You can apply for New Zealand residency from Australia.

Many Australians take advantage of the two year rule if they want to migrate to New Zealand, but as explained above, you don't have to rely on that rule. Instead, you can take advantage of one of the other migration routes, and you can even start the application process from Australia. For example, you can start to set up investments in New Zealand whilst working with a migration agent on your residency applications.