Compare visa pathways, eligibility patterns, processing timelines, and next planning steps.
Visa fit wizard
Answer a few questions and we’ll rank the best matches from the live visa catalog. This is a planning tool, not a legal decision.
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Work visas need a job offer from a sponsoring employer. Many can lead to permanent residency and allow family members to join you.
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Business and investor visas are available for those who start a business or invest at qualifying levels. Most can lead to permanent residency upon meeting programme milestones.
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The AEWV is New Zealand's primary employer-sponsored work visa and can lead to permanent residency through the Skilled Migrant Category.
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Family and spouse visas enable you to join a family member who is a citizen or settled resident. Most visas allow you to work and can lead to permanent residency.
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Business · 3-9 months (business approval + visa)
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Not always required
Family · 6-24 weeks (varies by relationship and country)
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Not always required
Family · 5 to 7 months (80% of applications are finalized within 7 months under 2026 operational processing pipelines).
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Not always required
Migration · 3-8 weeks after employer accreditation /,
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Required
Migration · 4-12 weeks (Straight to Residence); 2 years + processing (Work to Residence) /,
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Required
Migration · 6-12 months /,
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Not always required
Migration · 6-12 months from EOI to residence visa /,
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Not always required
Migration · 1-4 weeks /,
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Required
Residency · 4-12 months
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Not always required
Residency · 6-18 months
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Not always required
Student · 4-12 weeks (peaks before academic intake)
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Not always required
Student · 4-8 weeks
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Not always required
Tourist · 5-30 days (varies by mission)
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Not always required
Tourist · 15-35 days
PR pathway: No · Job offer: Not always required
Work · 4-8 weeks
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Required
Work · 4-16 weeks (employer + government processing)
PR pathway: Yes · Job offer: Required
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