The main types of visas that can be obtained in New Zealand are:

 

	Visitor visa	Student visa	Working holiday visa	Work visa	Resident visa
How long you can stay	Up to 9 months	For the duration of your course	Varies	Varies, but cannot exceed 5 years	Indefinitely
How long can you work	You can’t	Varies	Varies	Varies	Indefinitely
Need a job offer to apply	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Yes, in most cases	Varies

 

Visitors and working holiday visas are particular types and offer the largest restrictions to applicants.

The student visa is valid over the university period. Afterwards graduates can apply for an open work visa valid for one year, in which they must find a job that matches their major. Those who fail are sent back to their home-countries, whereas the others are granted a work visa which entitles to some rights such as healthcare and primary and secondary education.

 

The broader resident visa offers full benefits to its owner but it is a sinuous process and requires criteria to be met such as:

• Pass the scoring test by gaining at least 160 points;
• Holding an accredited employer work visa for at least 24 months;
• Full time employment over that period by an accredited employer
• Be employed on the date of application and have a base salary of at least NZD 55,000 per year etc.