Migrants may move to New Zealand with a student visa, a working holiday visa that is valid for up to 12 months or a work visa. If applicants are unsure of how long they want to live in New Zealand--or if they fail to qualify for a permanent visa--they may apply for a work-to-residence visa. This allows them to work in New Zealand for 30 months with the option of applying (or re-applying) for a permanent work visa after two years in the country. Those applying for a work visa must submit an Expression of Interest form, according to Immigration New Zealand website. If the government likes what it sees, the potential migrant will be invited to apply for a visa.
New Zealand grants work visas based on a points system. These requirements ensure that all migrants have job skills that will benefit the country and enable them to succeed as residents. An applicant's age, education, work experience and personal ties to New Zealand are worth points. New Zealand frequently takes applicants with a score of over 140, while those with scores between 100 and 140 must wait in a reserve pool until New Zealand selects them.
New Zealand requires all visa applicants to pass health standards--meaning applicants must submit either a Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate or a Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate, depending on which visa they intend to obtain. New Zealand assesses these to make sure immigrants will be able to perform their jobs and will not act as a drain on the country's health services.
If migrants have valid driving licenses from their home countries or hold international driving permits, they may drive in New Zealand for up to a year with them. After this point, they must obtain a New Zealand driver's license. Temporary residents who stay for less than a year never need a New Zealand license; if they return to New Zealand for another residency, they may start over and drive for an additional 12 months before applying for a New Zealand license.
New Zealand allows migrants to bring their pets into the country, but the country may quarantine some pets for up to six months after arrival. Dogs and cats from the United Kingdom are exempt from quarantine and can go straight to their new houses with their families, but most pets from other places are quarantined. Authorities inspect all pets for ticks and check certification on arrival.
