Australian Resident Visa
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You can only apply for this visa when you arrive in New Zealand. If you are an Australian permanent resident, you will need an NZeTA.
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Length of stay
Live, work and study
indefinitely
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Processing time
Visa granted at
New Zealand border
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Cost
NZD $0
To apply you must:
- be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident with an NZeTA
- have arrived in New Zealand — you cannot apply for this visa before you travel
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- live, work and study in New Zealand.
Australian temporary residents cannot get this visa.
If you are an Australian permanent resident, you must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel.
You do not pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
If you leave New Zealand your resident visa expires, you can apply for a variation of travel conditions allowing you to travel for up to 24 months without it affecting your New Zealand residence status.
How long you can stay
An Australian Resident Visa lets you stay in New Zealand indefinitely.
Who can apply
Check the information below to see if you are eligible for this visa, and what you will need to do to meet the requirements.
Identity
You must provide proof of your identity.
We will use your passport details to check your identity.
Australian immigration status
You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
We will use your passport to check your Australian citizenship or immigration status.
If you have a valid Australian passport, use it to travel to New Zealand.
Otherwise, you can use a foreign passport that confirms you are an Australian permanent resident, and hold either:
- a valid Australian Permanent Resident Visa, or
- a valid Australian Resident Return Visa.
Note
Australia temporary residents are not eligible for this visa.
If your Australian Permanent Resident or Resident Return Visa has been issued electronically, check your visa is linked to the passport you will be travelling on. You can do this by contacting the Australian immigration authorities.
Character
You must be of good character.
When you complete your arrival card, you will be asked some questions about your character.
You may not meet our good character requirements if any of the following applies:
- you have a criminal conviction
- you have been deported, removed or excluded from another country
- we have reason to believe you may be a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest.
Note
People who may be considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest, include those who are registered sex offenders or associated with a gang.
What to do
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Step 1: Check you meet the requirements for visa waiver travel
To be granted a visa when you arrive in New Zealand, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and be of good character.
Alert
If you do not meet our requirements for good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at check-in or refuse you entry permission when you arrive.
If you are not sure you meet our requirements for good character, apply for a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
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Step 2: Check if you need to request an NZeTA
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, you must hold an NZeTA before you travel, but you do not need to pay the International Visitor Levy (IVL).
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
Australian citizens do not need to hold an NZeTA or pay the IVL.
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Step 3: Apply for a resident visa on arrival
On your way to New Zealand, you will be given an arrival card to complete. This will include questions about your character and intentions.
When you arrive, we will check your arrival card. If we can confirm you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and meet our requirements for good character, we will give you a New Zealand resident visa.
No immigration fees
There are no fees to pay when you are given a resident visa as an Australian citizen or permanent resident, on arriving in New Zealand.
When you arrive
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand. You do this by completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.
You can start your digital declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit it is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Note
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- do not meet our character requirements
- refuse to let us to take your photo or to provide us with your fingerprints or an iris scan, if asked for them
- provide false or misleading information in a visa application, to an immigration officer or on any part of your arrival card.
While you are in New Zealand
These are the conditions you must meet once you have your visa.
Travel
You can travel to and from New Zealand as often as you wish, but each time you leave New Zealand your resident visa will expire.
Work
You can work in any occupation for any employer in New Zealand.
Study
You can study in New Zealand.