residence class visa

A residence class visa means a:

• resident visa or
• permanent resident visa

A residence class visa allows people to live in New Zealand indefinitely. The visa also lets people work and study in New Zealand. There are different travel conditions based on the type of residence class visa.

Residence class visas are granted by Immigration New Zealand.

For the purpose of deciding if a person meets the residence criteria for financial assistance from MSD, people who were granted a residence permit under the Immigration Act 1987 and some British citizens who arrived in New Zealand before 1 January 1962 are deemed to hold a residence class visa.