--- title: "Moving to New Zealand 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Aoraki / Mount Cook above the glaciers of the Southern Alps # Moving to New Zealand 10 ways to move to New Zealand in our guide: 1 working holiday visa, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 2 investor routes, 1 business / startup route, 3 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa. Remote workers: [Visitor visa + remote work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visitor-remote-work/). Smallest investment: [Business Investor work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/), from NZD 1M ≈ $559k. Tax for newcomers: [Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/), New-resident relief (4 years). Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa:** **1** Visitor visa + remote work **Smallest investment needed:** **from NZD 1M ≈ $559k** Business Investor work visa **Longest first stay:** **5 years** Accredited Employer visa **Tax angle:** **New-resident relief (4 years)** Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income New Zealand is a long-haul destination with a clear split between temporary visas and residence pathways. The rules are detailed, and the route you choose depends on whether you are visiting, working for an overseas employer, studying, or investing. People with a job offer from an accredited employer Investors with significant capital Young citizens of working holiday partner countries Students planning to study and possibly stay Remote workers whose employer is based overseas ## Working holiday · 1 ### [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/working-holiday/) **Age limit and funds needed:** Ages and funds vary by passport Casual jobs OK Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/working-holiday/) ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Visitor visa + remote work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visitor-remote-work/) **First stay:** 9 mo Remote work only Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visitor-remote-work/) ## Investing · 2 ### Active Investor Plus **Investment needed:** from NZD 5M ≈ $2.8M - [Growth NZD 5M+ ≈ $2.8M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aip-growth/) - [Balanced NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aip-balanced/) ## Business / Startup · 1 ### [Business Investor work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/) **Investment needed:** from NZD 1M ≈ $559k Stay 4 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/) ## Work · 3 ### [Accredited Employer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aewv/) **Income needed:** NZD 67.12+ an hour ≈ $38 Stay 5 yrs, renewable Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aewv/) ### [Skilled Migrant Category](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/smc-resident/) **Income needed:** NZD 105+ an hour ≈ $59 [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/smc-resident/) ### [Straight to Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/straight-to-residence/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/straight-to-residence/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/fee-paying-student/) **Savings needed:** from NZD 17k a year ≈ $9,500 Stay 4 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/fee-paying-student/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/spouse-of-citizen/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/spouse-of-citizen/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[Free movement by treaty](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/free-movement-tta/)** · Lets you live here Open to 1 passport: [Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/australia/). - **[Visa-free stay (6 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visa-free-6m/)** · Up to 6 months as a visitor No local work; remote work for employers or clients abroad is allowed Open to 1 passport: [United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-kingdom/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax New Zealand tax residence can start after a set number of days in any period or through a permanent place of abode. If you qualify as a transitional tax resident, most foreign-source income is exempt for a limited period, but overseas employment and personal services income is not. After that, worldwide income rules apply and resident rates apply to total income. Special regime ### [Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/#tax-nz-transitional-resident-foreign-income) Tax relief Foreign-source income: New-resident relief (4 years) **Details** - On: Most foreign-source income New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents. #### Taxed on Most foreign-source income; overseas employment and personal services income is not exempt. #### Who it applies to - Period begins on first day of New Zealand tax residence and ends four years after end of month of qualification, subject to earlier opt-out/termination events. - The exemption can be used only once. - The person was not a New Zealand tax resident at any time in the 10 years before qualifying. #### Exclusions - Overseas employment income and income from personal services is not exempt. - Applying for Working for Families, opting out, reporting covered income, or confirming NZ tax to a foreign jurisdiction on covered income can terminate the exemption. - Foreign-super withdrawals have their own rule. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Tax residence begins by more than 183 days in New Zealand or a permanent place of abode #### Tax residence NZ tax residence can begin through more than 183 days in any 12-month period or permanent place of abode; this transitional exemption can apply during tax residence. After the exemption ends, worldwide income rules apply. #### Visas No particular visa is required by the tax rule; immigration and tax residence are distinct. #### Other taxes Tax exemption does not waive GST, PAYE on New Zealand work, KiwiSaver or other applicable levies; foreign employment/services carveout means remote work must be analyzed carefully. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/) Standard rules ### [New Zealand resident income tax rates (from 1 April 2025)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/#tax-nz-income-tax-rates-2026) Progressive rates **Details** - On: Total income for the tax year: salary, self-employment, rent, interest and overseas income - Who: Applies to New Zealand tax residents - Limit: NZD 16k/yr ≈ $8,720 Progressive resident rates of 10.5%, 17.5%, 30%, 33% and 39% apply to total income including overseas income once the transitional exemption ends. #### Taxed on Total income for the tax year: salary, self-employment, rent, interest and overseas income. #### Who it applies to - Applies to New Zealand tax residents; rates from 1 April 2025. #### Limits - NZD 15,600 a year (≈ $8,720) · 10.5% on income up to NZD 15,600 (≈ $8,720) - NZD 53,500 a year (≈ $29,900) · 17.5% on income from NZD 15,601 (≈ $8,720) to 53,500 - NZD 78,100 a year (≈ $43,700) · 30% on income from NZD 53,501 (≈ $29,900) to 78,100 - NZD 180,000 a year (≈ $101,000) · 33% on income from NZD 78,101 (≈ $43,700) to 180,000; 39% above NZD 180,000 (≈ $101,000) #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Presence test for becoming a New Zealand tax resident #### Tax residence Resident status can arise from more than 183 days in any 12 months or a permanent place of abode (per IRD transitional resident guidance). #### Visas Tax residence is separate from visa type. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Switch to later · 2** Work ### [Post-study work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/post-study-work/) **First stay:** 3 yrs Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/post-study-work/) Work ### [Work to Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/work-to-residence/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/work-to-residence/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR** · Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa ## Arriving in New Zealand: first steps 1. Arrange health insurance that meets the rules for your visa type. 2. Have a New Zealand address ready for your arrival and for any registration. 3. Open a New Zealand bank account once you have your address and visa. 4. Apply for an IRD number so you can work or pay tax. 5. Register with a general practice or health provider for ongoing care. ## Questions people ask ### Does New Zealand have a working holiday visa? Yes. New Zealand has 1 working holiday visa. [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/working-holiday/) gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. ### What is the New Zealand digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? New Zealand has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Visitor visa + remote work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visitor-remote-work/) gives a first stay of 9 months. ### How much do you need to invest for residency in New Zealand? New Zealand has 2 investor routes. [Active Investor Plus · Balanced](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aip-balanced/) asks for an investment of at least NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000). [Active Investor Plus · Growth](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aip-growth/) asks for an investment of at least NZD 5,000,000 (≈ $2,800,000). ### Can I move to New Zealand by starting a business? New Zealand has 1 business or startup route. [Business Investor work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/) asks for an investment from NZD 1,000,000 (≈ $559,000) and gives a first stay of 4 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does New Zealand offer foreigners? New Zealand has 3 work visas. [Accredited Employer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aewv/) asks for a salary of at least NZD 67.12 an hour (≈ $38) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Skilled Migrant Category](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/smc-resident/) asks for a salary of at least NZD 105 an hour (≈ $59). There is also [Straight to Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/straight-to-residence/). ### How do I get a student visa for New Zealand? New Zealand has 1 student visa. [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/fee-paying-student/) asks for savings from NZD 17,000 a year (≈ $9,500) and gives a first stay of 4 years. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in New Zealand? Yes. New Zealand has 1 spouse visa. It is [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/spouse-of-citizen/). ### Does New Zealand have a special tax regime for new residents? Yes: [Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/). New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Compare with [🇹🇭 Thailand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/) [🇯🇵 Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/) [🇮🇩 Indonesia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/) [🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/) [🇸🇬 Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/) [🇲🇾 Malaysia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/) [🇻🇳 Vietnam](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/) [🇰🇷 South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.