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New Zealand is a beautiful island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Here are five important facts about New Zealand:

1. Spectacular Natural Landscapes: New Zealand is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, including mountains, lakes, fjords, beaches, and forests. The country is famous for its stunning mountain ranges, such as the Southern Alps, and iconic landmarks like Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo. The diverse scenery offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, water sports, and wildlife encounters.

2. Maori Culture: The indigenous Maori people have a significant cultural presence in New Zealand. Maori culture is deeply intertwined with the country's identity and is celebrated through art, music, dance, and traditional ceremonies. Visitors have the chance to learn about Maori history and traditions by visiting cultural sites, attending performances, and engaging in Maori-led experiences.

3. Adventure Tourism: New Zealand is often referred to as the "adventure capital of the world" due to its abundance of adrenaline-pumping activities. Bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, ziplining, and white-water rafting are just a few of the thrilling adventures available. The country's diverse geography provides an ideal playground for adventure enthusiasts.

4. Environmental Conservation: New Zealand is known for its commitment to environmental preservation. The country takes pride in its efforts to protect its unique ecosystems and endemic species. Conservation projects and national parks, such as Fiordland National Park and Abel Tasman National Park, allow visitors to experience the country's natural beauty while supporting conservation efforts.

5. Film Tourism: New Zealand gained international fame as the filming location for the "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film trilogies directed by Peter Jackson. The stunning landscapes of New Zealand served as the backdrop for the fictional world of Middle-earth. Visitors can explore film locations, take guided tours, and immerse themselves in the cinematic experience.

 

Immigration Details

To immigrate to New Zealand, there are various visa types and pathways available. Let's explore each option and the requirements associated with them:

1. Skilled Migrant Category:
- Purpose: This category is for individuals with skills and qualifications that are in demand in New Zealand.
- Requirements: To be eligible, you need to meet the minimum points threshold based on factors such as age, work experience, qualifications, and a job offer in New Zealand. You will also need to meet health and character requirements.
- Duration: If your application is approved, you will initially be granted a resident visa, which is valid for two years. After living in New Zealand for that period and meeting certain conditions, you can apply for permanent residency.

2. Entrepreneur Work Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who want to establish or buy a business in New Zealand.
- Requirements: You need to have a viable business plan, sufficient funds for investment, relevant business experience, and meet health and character requirements. The specific capital requirements and other criteria may vary, so it's important to check the latest information from Immigration New Zealand.
- Duration: The Entrepreneur Work Visa is initially granted for a 12-month period. If you successfully establish or buy a business in New Zealand, you can apply for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa.

3. Investor Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who want to make a significant investment in New Zealand.
- Requirements: The Investor Visa has different investment thresholds, and you must meet specific criteria related to age, health, character, and language ability. The minimum investment amounts and requirements may vary, so it's essential to check the latest information from Immigration New Zealand.
- Duration: The Investor Visa is initially granted as a resident visa, which is valid for three years. After meeting certain conditions, you can apply for permanent residency.

4. Work Visa:
- Purpose: This visa allows individuals to work in New Zealand for a specific employer.
- Requirements: You need to have a job offer from a New Zealand employer who is willing to sponsor your visa. The employer will need to demonstrate that they were unable to find a suitable New Zealand citizen or resident for the position. Other requirements include relevant qualifications, work experience, and meeting health and character requirements.
- Duration: The duration of the work visa will depend on the length of your employment contract.

5. Student Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who want to study in New Zealand at a recognized educational institution.
- Requirements: You need to have an offer of acceptance from a New Zealand educational institution, demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses, have medical and travel insurance, and meet health and character requirements.
- Duration: The duration of the student visa will depend on the length of the course of study.

6. Citizenship:
- Naturalization: After living in New Zealand as a permanent resident for at least five years and meeting specific criteria, you may be eligible to apply for New Zealand citizenship. The criteria include knowledge of English, commitment to New Zealand, and meeting character requirements.

 

Location
Rank
  • VISA-FREE
    141
  • DUAL CITIZENSHIP
  • POPULATION
    5,053,004
  • Time To Citizenship
    3
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TAX

Individuals who have a permanent place of abode in New Zealand or spend at least 183 days in any 12-month period are considered tax residents.

Tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are subject to tax on their NZ-source income. Tax exemptions may apply for certain income accrued in NZ by non-residents.

New residents may be granted a four-year tax exemption on income accrued abroad.

Personal income is taxed at progressive rates up to 33%.
There is no capital gains tax, however certain gains derived from the sale of real estate may be included in the personal income tax base. Gains on financial instruments may be treated as ordinary income and taxed on an accrual basis. Rental income is taxed at standard rates.

Dividends are treated as ordinary income, but a tax credit for underlying tax paid may be available. Income derived from certain collective investment vehicles is taxed at progressive rates of 10.5%, 17.5%, and 28%.

New Zealand has enacted extensive controlled foreign company rules. The rules apply when five or fewer New Zealand residents directly or indirectly control more than 50% of a foreign company, or when a single New Zealand resident directly or indirectly controls 40%. Passive income of a CFC is attributable.

Apart from the CFC rules, there is a Foreign Investment Fund regime. This regime applies if the investor does not have a sufficient interest in a foreign entity for it to be considered a CFC. Under this regime passive income derived from foreign investments and retained in foreign entities may be taxable if certain conditions are met.

Local authorities levy real property taxes on the official value of the property. There are no transfer, inheritance and net worth taxes.

Goods and services tax is levied at a 15% rate, although certain supplies are tax-exempt.

This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.

  • Property Tax Yes
  • Transfer Tax No
  • Inheritance Tax No
  • Net Worth Tax No
  • CFC Law Yes
  • Tax Residency Days 183
  • Personal Income Tax Rate 33%
  • Capital Gains Tax Rate 33%
  • Investment Income Tax Rate 33%
  • Territorial Taxation Yes
Visa-Free Explain

Where Can New Zealand Passport Holders Travel Without a Visa?

As of June 2023, New Zealand passport holders can travel visa free to 146 countries and territories:

  • Albania
  • American Samoa
  • Andorra
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French West Indies
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kosovo
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mayotte
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • Nicaragua
  • Niue
  • North Macedonia
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Réunion
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Gambia
  • Tunisia
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Türkiye
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia
  • Eswatini

For visa-free travels, you still must have a valid passport — usually six months after your departure date— and you must purchase travel health insurance as required by your destination country.

What Countries Issue eVisa to New Zealand Citizens?

The following 12 countries issue eVisas for New Zealand passport holders:

  • Angola
  • Azerbaijan
  • Benin
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Guinea
  • India
  • Kenya
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Uganda
  • Vietnam

The process of getting an eVisa is more or less the same as applying for a traditional visa. However, in this case, you don’t have to visit a visa application center— you can submit your application online, including the visa payment.

After your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your visa status along with a document you must print out and bring with you when crossing the border. Your visa will be registered online, but some officers may ask you for a physical copy of the permit; that is why it’s important to keep the copy on your person while traveling.

What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to New Zealand Passport Holders?

If you are a New Zealand citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 41 countries listed below:

  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cabo Verde
  • Comoros
  • Egypt
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iran
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Rwanda
  • Samoa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • Saint Helena
  • Tanzania
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

You receive a visa on arrival (VOA) after entering the country that issues such a visa. Usually, there is a separate section at the airport where you can submit your application for your visa on arrival.

Countries With Visa Requirements for New Zealand Citizens

You need a valid visa to enter the following 27 countries with a New Zealand passport:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Bhutan
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Ivory Coast
  • Cuba
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ghana
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Nauru
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Russia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Yemen

The application for a visa goes as follows:

  1. Make an appointment at the visa center in New Zealand. You must contact a local visa application center in your home country and make an appointment to submit your application. It may take several months to schedule a meeting with the embassy or consulate.
  2. Get your documents ready. To submit a successful application, you have to prepare the required documents for your visa, i.e., passport, application form, health insurance, etc. Some of your documents must be verified with an apostille stamp or certified by a foreign office.
  3. Submit your application. Finally, you can submit your application and attend the visa interview—you may also be required to submit your biometrics. Once you translate your documents as required by the embassy or consulate and verify them with an apostille stamp— if possible, then you can submit your application. From then it will take several weeks until a decision is made regarding your visa application.

Please note that if you have a valid visa that allows you to enter more than one country, you don’t have to apply for a new visa.

What Documents Do New Zealand Citizens Need to Apply for a Visa?

New Zealand citizens that want to visit countries that require them to apply for a visa beforehand need to submit a few documents. Depending on the country you want to visit, document requirements may vary. However, most countries will certainly require the following:

  • Your valid New Zealand passport (plus a photocopy). Some countries require the passport to be valid for more than six months after the day you plan on departing their country.
  • A filled visa application form.
  • Passport pictures that are not older than six months.
  • Travel health insurance that covers your entire period of stay.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.
  • Detailed travel itinerary that shows all the places you want to visit.
  • Letter of invitation (if applicable)
  • Proof of booked return ticket for the flight home.
  • Proof of booked accommodation.
  • Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your visit
  • Civil status documents (marriage papers, certificates of birth, etc.)
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