Move to Auckland, New Zealand. The routes, mapped.
14 visa routes into New Zealand, each with its real required-document list, pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
United States to New Zealand: the money facts
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
How you can legally move to New Zealand
14 visa routes into New Zealand, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Varies | 3 years~7 wks processing 路 Renewable | $924 fee$924 all-in | Family ok | An employer-sponsored temporary work visa for skilled workers with a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer, valid up to five years and a common pathway to permanent residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate Official source |
| Business Investor Work Visa | Varies | 3 yearsRenewable | $7,400 fee$7,400 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A work-to-residence visa for active investors who invest NZD 1M or 2M into an operating New Zealand business that employs staff, leading to permanent residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate, Bank Statements (3 months, certified) 路a Official source |
| Partner of a New Zealander (Work & Resident Visa) | Varies | 3 years~5 wks processing 路 Renewable | $980 fee$980 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A residence or open-work visa route for the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, granting up to 36 months of work rights or direct residence once a genuine and stable relationship is proven. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate Official source |
| Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa | Varies | 2 years~4 wks processing 路 Renewable | $4,735 fee$4,735 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A renewable 2-year visitor visa for retirees aged 66 or over who invest NZD 750,000 in New Zealand, with no path to residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Bank Statements (3 months, certified) 路a, New Zealand Health Insurance Proof, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate Official source |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | Varies | 1 year~4 wks processing 路 Renewable | $510 fee$550 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A student visa for full-time study at an approved New Zealand institution, with part-time work rights and a pathway to post-study work and residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Bank Statements (3 months, certified) 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate, New Zealand Health Insurance Proof Official source |
| Visitor Visa (remote-work conditions) | Varies | 9 months~2 wks processing 路 Renewable | $265 fee$300 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A standard visitor visa permitting remote work for foreign employers and clients in New Zealand for up to 9 months, with no income threshold required. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Bank Statements (3 months, certified) 路a, Onward/Return Travel Ticket Official source |
| USA Working Holiday Visa | Varies | 1 year~2 wks processing | $460 fee$520 all-in | Remote work ok | A 12-month visa for US citizens aged 18 to 30 to live and work for any New Zealand employer without sponsorship, with no dependent or renewal option. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Bank Statements (3 months, certified) 路a, New Zealand Health Insurance Proof Official source |
| NZeTA Visa Waiver (Electronic Travel Authority) | Varies | 3 months~1 wk processing | $75 fee$75 all-in | Remote work ok | A mandatory electronic travel authority for US passport holders allowing visits and offshore remote work in New Zealand for up to 3 months per visit. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity) Official source |
| Active Investor Plus Visa | Varies | Varies~11 wks processing | $16,500 fee$16,500 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A New Zealand residence-by-investment visa for high-net-worth individuals, requiring NZD 5 million or NZD 10 million with no income or English requirement, and a path to permanent residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate, Bank Statements (3 months, certified) 路a Official source |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Varies | Varies~24 wks processing | $3,870 fee$3,870 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A points-based resident visa granting indefinite permission to live, work, and study in New Zealand for credentialed professionals aged 55 or under who earn 6 skilled points. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate, Birth Certificate (Apostilled) 路a Official source |
| Straight to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 1) | Varies | Varies~22 wks processing | $3,870 fee$3,870 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A direct residence permit for skilled workers aged 55 or under whose occupation appears on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List and who hold a job offer from an accredited employer. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate Official source |
| Work to Residence Visa (Green List Tier 2) | Varies | Varies | $3,870 fee$3,870 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A residence grant for skilled workers aged 55 or under who complete 24 months in a Tier 2 Green List role at the required pay with an accredited New Zealand employer. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, New Zealand Police / Criminal Record Check 路a, New Zealand Immigration Medical Certificate Official source |
| New Zealand Citizenship by Grant | Varies | Varies~12 wks processing | $340 fee$340 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | Citizenship by grant confers a New Zealand passport, voting rights, and near-automatic Australian residence for permanent residents who have spent 1,350 days in New Zealand over five years. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Permanent Resident Visa New Zealand, Birth Certificate (Apostilled) 路a Official source |
| Permanent Resident Visa | Varies | Varies~3 wks processing | $190 fee$190 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | An indefinite resident visa for existing New Zealand resident visa holders who pass a commitment test, removing travel-condition expiry and opening the path to citizenship. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), New Zealand Resident Visa (eVisa) Official source |
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Which route is right for you?
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