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New Zealand permanent residents are residents of New Zealand who hold permanent residency visas but are not citizens of New Zealand. Holders of permanent residency visas may remain in New Zealand indefinitely. A 2-year initial visa, which corresponds to the underlying migration scheme, is granted alongside the permanent residency. Until the initial visa expires, the visa holder may leave and re-enter New Zealand freely. A notable feature of the permanent residency visa is that, even after the initial visa expires, the holder is entitled to stay in New Zealand indefinitely without breaching immigration regulations.
| British & Commonwealth citizenship |
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| Commonwealth nationality laws |
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British (history) |
| Classes of citizens and subjects |
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British citizen |
| Rights and visas |
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Right of abode |
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Ireland Act 1949 |
After the initial visa expires, if the holder wishes to continue to travel to and from New Zealand as a permanent resident, they must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). However those who live for too long outside New Zealand may lose their permanent resident status.
Permanent residency may be revoked at the discretion of the Minister for Immigration. However this does not normally happen other than in cases of criminal misconduct.
At present, there are two programs to grant permanent residency. "Migration Program" is mainly for skilled migrants. "Humanitarian Program" is mainly for refugees seeking permanent residency.
Most permanent residents are eligible to become citizens after a waiting period. See New Zealand nationality law. Permanent residents enjoy many of the rights and privileges of citizens, including access to free or subsidised legal and health services and education.
People who hold current Australian permanent residence visas or current Australian resident return visas may be granted residence permits on arrival in New Zealand, provided they have not been excluded under section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987.
Benefits of permanent resident status include:
- unrestricted rights to live, work and study in New Zealand,
- the right to apply for New Zealand citizenship after fulfilling normal residence requirements,
- domestic fees for education,
- the right to sponsor relatives for permanent residence, subject to fulfilling residence criteria and assurance of support requirements,
- children born inside New Zealand will be New Zealand citizens by birth,
- the right to access medical and social security benefit,
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