Eligible visas
On 29 September all applicants must have been on (or have applied for and later granted) one of the following visas:
Post Study Work Visa
Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
Essential Skills Work Visa
Religious Worker Work Visa
Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa
Trafficking Victim Work Visa
Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa
Skilled Migrant Category Job Search Work Visa
Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
South Island Contribution Work Visa
Work Visa granted under Section 61 of the Immigration Act (provided the applicant held any of the visas above within 6 months before being granted a Section 61 visa)
Some Critical Purpose Visitor Visas (CPVV)
Short-term visa holders are not eligible, such as visitors, students, working holiday makers, and seasonal workers like those on the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme or those who enter as short-term critical workers.
‘Settled’ criteria
To be eligible under the ‘settled’ criteria, you must have lived in New Zealand for the past three or more years and
have arrived in New Zealand on or before 29 September 2018, and
have spent a minimum of 821 days in New Zealand between 29 September 2018 and 29 September 2021 (inclusive).
The time spent in New Zealand does not need to be consecutive. There is no minimum amount within a calendar year.
Most people will be able to work out how long they have spent outside of New Zealand in the last three years, but if you need to check how much time you have spent in New Zealand, you can request your travel movements from the Immigration Contact Centre. Most eligible work visa holders are expected to meet the 'settled' criteria. INZ will use border movement records to decide if you meet this criteria.
The application form will ask about the time spent in New Zealand. You will not need to provide evidence of your 'settled' eligibility unless asked to do so by an immigration officer.