Our immigration lawyer in New Zealand can provide legal representation to British nationals who want to relocate to this country, regardless of the purpose of their arrival.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visas for short-term immigration to New Zealand from UK | Work visas, student visas, visitor visas, business visas, visas for medical treatment, etc. |
| Visas for long-term immigration to New Zealand from UK
| Visas for employment, skilled work visas, investment visas, student visas (for long-term enrollment), partner visa and other family reunification visas, etc. |
| Visa exemptions
| British citizens emigrating to New Zealand from UK are exempted from applying for a visa for short-term stays. They only have to apply for the NZeTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority). |
| Electronic visas available | Yes, the NZeTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authority). |
| Main reasons to immigrate to New Zealand from UK | The main reasons for emigrating to New Zealand from UK are regulated by the Immigration Law (business, investment, work, travel, family reunification, asylum, medical treatment, study, etc.) |
| Institution in charge with the issuance of the visa | Immigration Office New Zealand |
| Fee system available for the processing of the visa (yes/no) | Yes, the Immigration Office New Zealand charges fees for those emigrating to New Zealand from UK. |
| Fees charged for the issuance of short-term/long-term visas | The fee charged for the issuance of a NZeTA costs $44, while the issuance of a UK Working Holiday visa costs $280 (the fees vary greatly based on the visa the applicant needs). |
| Special rules for citizens of US (yes/no) | Yes, UK citizens are part of the visa waiver list for short stays. Also UK citizens emigrating to New Zealand can stay here for up to 6 months. |
| The procedure for permanent residency in New Zealand | The procedure can be started after 2 years of stay in the country. The applicant will prepare the application file, containing the specific documents, and pay the processing fee, while complying with the requirements of the permanent visa for which the person opted. |
| Documents required for permanent residency application | The applicant must prepare information on his or her identity, character, the current visa the person has and evidence on complying with the requirements of the visa, the commitment to New Zealand. |
| Reasons for which permanent residency can be granted in New Zealand | Skilled employment, family reunification, investments in New Zealand, adoption, permanent visas for certain nationalities and ethnic groups. |
| Right to permanent residency for refugees/asylum seekers (yes/no) | Yes |
| Immigration pathways for highly skilled persons | Talent Resident Visa, Long Term Skilled Shortage program, Skilled Migrant, etc. |
| Legal pathways to citizenship | Citizenship by descent, by grant |
Table of Contents
What are the main legal services your team can offer in 2026?
Our immigration lawyer in New Zealandcan offer dedicated legal services designed for immigration purposes. Our team can help all categories of foreigners interested in short or long-term relocation. In the list below, we highlight some of the main services we offer:
- information on the immigration law and procedures that must be followed by British nationals;
- assistance on the categories of visas available here and the conditions that must be met in order to be eligible to apply;
- assistance in gathering the paperwork necessary for a visa type;
- aubmission of the application file;
- updated information on the visa status;
- assistance in obtaining a residence permit;
- assistance in obtaining/reclaiming/renouncing citizenship, etc.
What are the main immigration formalities I should be aware of if I want to travel/relocate to New Zealand in 2026?
If you arrive from the United Kingdom (UK), you need to observe the rules for short or long-term immigration. Please mind that you can arrive here as a British passport holder or as a permanent resident of the UK, but not a citizen. Rules can vary for the 2 categories, but in all cases, you should know that the following apply:
- short-term stays (the foreigner arrives to New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days in which case, he/she can arrive visa-free);
- long-term stays (in this case, the duration of the stay is minimum 90 days and it is conditioned by having the appropriate visa that reflects the purpose of the stay, but also by having a residence permit, issued in accordance with the purpose of the visa).
How can British citizens visit New Zealand?
You simply have to obtain the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) document, which can be easily accessed online. It acts as a visa document, although, from a legal point of view, it is not a visa.
For what legal grounds can I relocate to New Zealand?
There are many ways through which UK nationals can relocate to New Zealand. Below, you can observe some of the main pathways:
- foreigners are allowed to apply for tourist visas that can provide the right of residing in this country for up to a year;
- they can apply for work visas;
- as a British citizen who will relocate to New Zealand from UK, one is allowed to apply for a visa for family-related purposes;
- immigration to New Zealand can also be achieved through visas issued for study purposes;
- British citizens interested to relocate to New Zealand from UK can access the Holiday Work Visa program, which is solely addressed to young persons who want to both travel and work in this country for a determined period of time;
- persons with a high-net-worth value can easily apply for the investor visa in New Zealand.
What are the main pathways I can use for temporary residency in New Zealand?
British nationals interested in residency in New Zealandon a temporary basis can arrive here under any of the following temporary visas:
- the visitor visa;
- the student visa;
- the partnership visa;
- the family visa;
- the working holiday visa.
You can watch the following presentation on the main steps of moving from UK to New Zealand:
What are the requirements for the Holiday Work Visa?
As a UK passport holder, you can participate in the Holiday Work visa program. Some of the requirements are listed below by our immigration lawyer in New Zealand:
- when applying for this visa as a UK citizen, one will be allowed to stay in this country for a period which ranges from 12 to 36 months;
- this type of visa can be used as a way for short-term relocation to New Zealand from UK for persons with an age between 18 to 35;
- at the same time, the person is entitled to study here for a period of up to 6 months, as presented by the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Department.
How can British citizens become permanent residents in New Zealand?
The main requirements to move from UK to New Zealand on a permanent basis, which means that the foreigner will apply for a permanent residence visa, are the following:
- the applicant has lived in New Zealand for at least two years at the moment when the new immigration document is required,
- the applicant has completed the conditions imposed by the residence visa;
- he or she has shown commitment to staying in this country.
In the infographic below, you can observe the basic rules for British nationals relocating to New Zealand:
Are there any quotas for British nationals?
It depends on the purpose of the arrival. For instance, those who apply for the Holiday Work visa must know that only 15,000 visas are granted on a yearly basis for this nationality.
How can I acquire citizenship in New Zealand?
Citizenship in New Zealand can be acquired by:
- birth;
- descent;
- naturalization – it refers to the process through which a foreigner, unrelated to New Zealand in any way, acquires citizenship based on the years of residency in this country (which is known in New Zealand as citizenship by grant).
British passport holders and permanent residents are invited to contact our immigration lawyer in New Zealand for more details on other visas that can be accessed by eligible UK applicants.
