Permanent Resident Visa (PRV)

How resident visa holders or former holders can obtain a permanent resident visa by demonstrating commitment to New Zealand.

Status: needs_review
Updated: 2026-04-29
Also known as: PRV
Sources: RV2.5RV2.5.1RV2.5.5RV2.5.10RV2.5.15RV2.5.20RV2.10RV2.15RV2.16RV2.17S4.35.15S4.35S4.35.1S4.35.10S4.35.20RV2.20RV2.25RV4.1

At a glance

A principal applicant who holds or formerly held a resident visa may be granted a permanent resident visa if they have held a resident visa for at least 24 months, have been in New Zealand as a resident for at least 24 months, can demonstrate commitment to New Zealand through one of five commitment pathways, and meet character requirements [RV2.5]. For holders of resident visas subject to investment conditions under sections 49(1) or 50 of the Immigration Act 2009, a separate pathway under RV2.10 applies [RV2.10]. A person who holds a resident visa as a result of renouncing New Zealand citizenship may be granted a permanent resident visa without meeting any of the criteria in RV2.5 [RV2.15]. A resident visa holder granted residence under the Christchurch Response (2019) Category was also able to apply for a permanent resident visa under a temporary pathway (RV2.16), with applications due by 23 April 2021 [RV2.16]. A resident visa holder granted residence under the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category may also obtain a permanent resident visa under RV2.17 if they meet the S4.35.15 requirements [RV2.17]. A permanent resident visa may also be granted to certain Filipino dairy workers who provided false documents in a prior visa application, hold a South Island Contribution resident visa, and meet specific criteria under RV2.20 [RV2.20].

How to apply

Applications for a permanent resident visa are made on the prescribed form, accompanied by the required fee and supporting evidence. Applicants must demonstrate they satisfy each element of the qualification criteria set out in RV2.5.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for a permanent resident visa under RV2.5, a principal applicant (except those covered by RV2.10) must meet all of the following [RV2.5]:

Residence visa status – either:
- hold a resident visa and have held it continuously for at least 24 months at the time of application; or
- have held a resident visa in the 90 days before the application, having held it continuously for at least 24 months before expiry (provided RV1.25 does not apply) [RV2.5].
Time as a resident – the first day in New Zealand as a resident (R5.66.1) was at least 24 months before the application [RV2.5].
Commitment to New Zealand – demonstrated by meeting the requirements of one of the following five pathways [RV2.5]:
- RV2.5.1 Significant period of time spent in New Zealand – the applicant has been in New Zealand as a resident for at least 184 days in each of the two 12‑month portions of the 24 months immediately before the application [RV2.5.1].
- RV2.5.5 Tax residence status in New Zealand – the applicant has been in New Zealand as a resident for at least 41 days in each of the two 12‑month portions of the 24 months before the application, and is assessed as having tax residence status for that 24‑month period [RV2.5.5].
- RV2.5.10 Investment in New Zealand – the applicant was approved under the Business Investor Category and has met any conditions (except travel conditions), or has maintained a qualifying investment of at least NZ$1,000,000 in New Zealand complying with the investment fund rules for at least 24 months after the resident visa was granted [RV2.5.10]. Investment funds must have been transferred through the trading bank system or lawfully earned/acquired in New Zealand, be invested in New Zealand currency and normally capable of commercial return, and not used for personal assets or as collateral for a loan [RV2.5.10].
- RV2.5.15 Establishment of a business in New Zealand – the applicant has been approved a resident visa and has successfully established a business that has been trading successfully and benefiting New Zealand for at least 12 months immediately before the application [RV2.5.15]. Evidence of successful trading is the latest accounts certified by a New Zealand chartered accountant confirming the business is a going concern [RV2.5.15].
- RV2.5.20 Base established in New Zealand – the applicant has established a base in New Zealand, meaning every immediate family member included in the original resident visa application has been in New Zealand for at least 184 days in the two years before the application, the applicant has been in New Zealand for at least 41 days in the final 12 months, and the applicant either owns and maintains a family home or has been in full‑time continuous genuine employment for a total of at least 9 months in the 24 months before the application [RV2.5.20]. Self‑employment is acceptable if it shows genuine active involvement in managing and operating the business [RV2.5.20].
Completed conditions – any conditions imposed under sections 49(1) or 50 of the Immigration Act 2009 have been met [RV2.5].
Character – the applicant meets character requirements for residence (see Character instructions) [RV2.5].

Investment-conditioned resident visa holders (RV2.10)

If the principal applicant was previously granted a resident visa under the Migrant Investment Categories, Parent Retirement Category, or Active Investor Plus visa category, the eligibility for a permanent resident visa is assessed under RV2.10 rather than RV2.5 [RV2.10]. The applicant must:

hold or be deemed to hold a resident visa, or have held one in the three months before the application [RV2.10];
have held a resident visa for at least 24 months [RV2.10];
have met all conditions previously imposed under section 49(1) or section 50 of the Immigration Act 2009 [RV2.10]; and
meet character requirements for residence [RV2.10].

Note: Principal applicants granted residence under the Migrant Investment Categories, Parent Retirement Category, or Active Investor Plus visa category are assessed under RV2.10 rather than RV2.5 [RV2.10].

Renounced citizenship holders (RV2.15)

A principal applicant who holds a resident visa as a result of renouncing their New Zealand citizenship under RA4.10 (see Deemed residence class visa holders) may apply for and be granted a permanent resident visa without needing to meet any of the criteria set out in RV2.5 [RV2.15]. This means the applicant is not required to satisfy the 24‑month holding period, the time‑as‑a‑resident requirement, any of the five commitment pathways, or the character requirement under RV2.5 [RV2.15]. The sole prerequisite is that the applicant's resident visa status arises from citizenship renunciation under RA4.10 [RV2.15].

Note: This pathway applies only to former New Zealand citizens whose resident visa status flows from RA4.10 renunciation. It does not extend to other deemed residence categories or to people deprived of citizenship (unless deprivation also results in a resident visa under RA4.10) [RV2.15].

Christchurch terror attacks (RV2.16) (historical)

A resident visa holder who was granted residence under the Christchurch Response (2019) Category may be granted a permanent resident visa under this pathway [RV2.16]. The applicant must:

have met the requirements for residence under the Christchurch Response (2019) Category (S4.30), with the exception of the health requirements and the requirement to be invited to apply [RV2.16];
lodge the application in the prescribed manner on or before 23 April 2021 [RV2.16];
provide evidence they meet the residence requirements of S4.30 (except health) [RV2.16].

Note: The prescribed application fee for this pathway was waived by the Minister of Immigration by special direction [RV2.16].

Applicants who apply under this pathway and do not meet the above requirements will not normally be considered for the grant of travel conditions (RV3), a second or subsequent resident visa (RV4), or a permanent resident visa under other instructions, including the standard RV2.5 pathway [RV2.16].

Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category (RV2.17)

The Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category is a time-limited humanitarian residence category for Afghan citizens evacuated to New Zealand following the Taliban takeover in August 2021. [S4.35.1] Under the category, successful applicants are granted a permanent resident visa rather than a resident visa. [S4.35.20] The category covers those who entered New Zealand on or after 16 August 2021 holding specific Critical Purpose Visitor Visas, or who entered before 12 September 2021 holding a valid visa. [S4.35.15]

A resident visa holder who holds a resident visa under the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category may be granted a permanent resident visa under RV2.17 if they meet the requirements set out at [S4.35.15] [RV2.17]. The core eligibility requirements under S4.35.15 include being a citizen of Afghanistan, having been in Afghanistan on 15 August 2021 (with exceptions for certain CPVV holders), having entered New Zealand on or after 16 August 2021, being in New Zealand when the application is lodged, and having lodged the application on or before 12 December 2022. [S4.35.15] A partner included in the application must meet the S4.35.15(a) criteria, but does not need to comply with certain standard partner eligibility requirements [RV2.17]. A dependent child included in the application must also meet S4.35.15(a), but does not need to meet the usual dependency requirements for residence [RV2.17]. Applications for a permanent resident visa under these instructions must be lodged in the prescribed manner [RV2.17]. Medical certificates are not required and police certificates may be waived where the applicant is unable to obtain them. [S4.35.10]

For full details on the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category, see Afghan Emergency Resettlement Category.

Despite RV2.25, applicants who apply under this pathway and do not meet the above requirements will not normally be considered for a variation of travel conditions, a second or subsequent resident visa, or a permanent resident visa under other instructions, including the standard RV2.5 pathway [RV2.17].

Filipino dairy workers who provided false documents (RV2.20)

RV2.20 provides a specific pathway for nationals of the Philippines who [RV2.20]:

provided false, misleading, or forged statements, information, evidence, or submissions about their work experience in the course of applying for a New Zealand visa;
were granted an Essential Skills work visa to work on a dairy farm before 1 September 2015;
were subsequently granted a South Island Contribution resident visa based on ongoing employment, or an offer of employment, on a dairy farm; and
are now applying for a permanent resident visa.

Despite the character requirement in RV2.5(e), an applicant who meets the above conditions may still be granted a permanent resident visa if they [RV2.20]:

have not withheld information or provided further false, misleading, or forged information in any New Zealand visa application since the grant of the Essential Skills work visa referred to in RV2.20(a)(iii); and
meet all other criteria for the grant of a permanent resident visa, including not falling under any of the provisions of A5.25 other than A5.25(i).

This pathway recognises the unique circumstances of Filipino dairy workers whose earlier false information would otherwise bar them from permanent residence, while still requiring full compliance with all remaining character and eligibility requirements.

Declined applications and alternative outcomes

If a permanent resident visa application is declined, the immigration officer may assess the applicant under the instructions for a variation of travel conditions (RV3) or a second or subsequent resident visa (RV4) [RV2.25]. If the applicant is eligible for a variation of travel conditions or a second or subsequent resident visa, an immigration officer may grant the appropriate one in place of a permanent resident visa, with the applicant's permission [RV2.25]. This ensures that applicants who fall just short of a permanent resident visa may still obtain travel conditions or a new resident visa without a fresh application.

For general procedures on declining a residence class visa application, see Declining a Residence Class Visa Application.

Interpretation & edge cases

Time calculations

The 24‑month periods for presence requirements are calculated from the date the application for a permanent resident visa is made, using the two 12‑month blocks immediately preceding [RV2.5]. For the "significant period of time" option, the applicant must physically be in New Zealand for at least 184 days in each block; time spent out of New Zealand or on temporary visas does not count [RV2.5.1].

Tax residence status pathway

The tax residence pathway requires a formal assessment that the applicant had tax residence status for the 24 months before the application. This is distinct from simply filing tax returns; the applicant must satisfy the Inland Revenue definition of tax residence [RV2.5.5].

Investment funds

Investment funds must be invested in New Zealand currency and normally capable of producing a commercial return. Funds with sole international exposure, such as unit trusts with no New Zealand component, fail the test [RV2.5.10]. The funds may not be used for personal assets and only the interest earned may be withdrawn; capital must remain intact and in New Zealand dollars [RV2.5.10].

Business establishment

The business must be trading successfully and benefiting New Zealand. Purchasing 25% or more of an established business qualifies as establishing a business [RV2.5.15]. The chartered accountant's certification that the business is a going concern is the standard evidence.

Base in New Zealand

The "base established" pathway requires the whole family unit to have spent at least 184 days in New Zealand, ensuring a genuine family connection [RV2.5.20]. The applicant's own shorter presence (41 days in 12 months) combined with home ownership or employment demonstrates a personal base. Full‑time employment does not include commission‑only or retainer arrangements; self‑employment must show active management [RV2.5.20].

Relationship with other residence instructions

Non‑principal applicants derive their permanent residence eligibility from the principal applicant under RV1.20 (see Non‑principal applicant eligibility). Travel conditions on the resident visa remain a separate consideration (see Resident Visa Travel Conditions). Deemed residence class visa holders who satisfy the criteria may also qualify [RV2.5] (see Deemed residence class visa holders).

Renounced citizenship pathway

The RV2.15 pathway is a standalone route to a permanent resident visa. Unlike the RV2.5 and RV2.10 pathways, it imposes no minimum holding period, no physical presence requirement, and no commitment test [RV2.15]. The policy reflects that a former New Zealand citizen should not face additional barriers to permanent residence given their prior connection to New Zealand, and that the renunciation process under RA4.10 already provides a resident visa as a safeguard against statelessness [RV2.15]. Applicants under this pathway should still confirm that any conditions attached to their resident visa (for example, conditions carried over from section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987) have been satisfied, as these may affect the grant of a permanent resident visa even though RV2.5 criteria are waived [RV2.15].

Who is not eligible for a second or subsequent resident visa

A person is not eligible for a second or subsequent resident visa (RV4) if [RV4.1]:

they are not eligible for a visa under section 15 or 16 of the Immigration Act 2009, unless a special direction has been given (see A5.20); or
they are prohibited from entry or from being granted a visa to New Zealand because they are subject to restrictions or a ban (see RA9 and R5.100).