Immigration guides
Practical immigration guides for your next decision
Use these practical guides to understand New Zealand work, residence, partner, student and visitor visa pathways, plus employer immigration. They are a starting point — then talk to an adviser about your own circumstances.
Start here
Start with the main New Zealand immigration pathways
These guide pages explain how common visa pathways fit together, from the AEWV to Skilled Migrant, Straight to Residence and Work to Residence, so you can think about both short-term steps and longer-term goals.
Browse
Browse by category
Residence
Skilled Migrant, Green List pathways, work-to-residence and permanent resident options.
Partner & family
Partner work, visitor and residence pathways, plus relationship evidence.
Visitor
Family visits, partner visits, sponsorship, extensions and evidence concerns.
Employer
Accreditation, Job Checks, AEWV support and workforce planning for employers.
Featured guides
Practical guides and explainers
Accredited Employer Work Visa: what applicants should understand before applying
A plain-English orientation to how the AEWV connects the employer, the role and the worker — and what that means for you.
Employer accreditation in New Zealand: a practical starting guide
What accreditation is for, who needs it, and the kinds of things worth having in order before you begin.
AEWV Job Checks: what employers may need to prepare
How the Job Check fits into the AEWV, and the role and recruitment details that tend to matter.
New Zealand partner visa evidence: building a clear relationship timeline
How to think about partnership evidence and present a genuine, stable relationship honestly and clearly.
Skilled Migrant Category: understanding the residence pathway
A general overview of how the Skilled Migrant Category works and the considerations involved.
Straight to Residence and Work to Residence: what is the difference?
Two routes, two different shapes. How to tell which conversation is worth having for your situation.
Common New Zealand visitor visa evidence issues
The areas that often create uncertainty in visitor applications, and how to approach them.
Can you change employers while holding an AEWV?
What changing employers can mean for an AEWV, and why it is worth understanding before you move.
Moving to New Zealand: which visa pathway may fit your goal?
A starting-point guide for people overseas weighing up work, study, family or residence options.
What to prepare for an initial immigration assessment
A short, practical list of what helps an adviser understand your situation quickly.
Student visa renewals: questions to consider before applying
Timing, evidence and study changes — the questions worth thinking through before you renew.
What happens after Immigration New Zealand requests more information?
How to read a request for further information calmly, and why a considered response matters.
Quick reference
Quick reference guides
These quick references link to the relevant service pages for now. Dedicated articles can be added later once the site is live and the content library starts growing.
Initial Immigration Assessment Checklist
What to gather before your first conversation, so an adviser can understand your situation quickly.
Partnership Evidence Checklist
The kinds of evidence often relevant to partner applications, and how to think about your timeline.
Employer Immigration Process Overview
How accreditation, Job Checks and worker applications fit together for employers.
Your situation
Need advice about your own circumstances?
Guides can orient you, but they cannot assess your case. Talk to a licensed immigration adviser about what applies to you.