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Residence : Contents

British citizens who arrived before 1 January 1962

Before 1 January 1962, people with British birth and parentage were allowed in New Zealand without a visa or permit.

British citizens who arrived in New Zealand before 1 January 1962 are deemed to hold a residence class visa, provided they:

  • arrived in New Zealand lawfully for the purpose of permanent residence or
  • were granted a permit for the purpose of permanent residence and
  • lived in New Zealand continuously from 2 April 1974 (or the date their permit was granted) and up to 1 November 1987 without absence (except for time spent in Australia, the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau) and
  • were lawfully in New Zealand immediately before 1 November 1987 and
  • have not had the permit, visa, or any other corresponding visa (where applicable) expire or be cancelled

Some people in this situation may have got their residence status officially endorsed by an immigration officer and have a paper record of their residence. However, others may not have taken these steps.

For the purpose of deciding if a person meets the residence criteria for financial assistance from MSD, people in this situation are deemed to hold a residence class visa.

British citizens from 1 January 1962

From 1 January 1962, all British citizens arriving in New Zealand must apply for a visa or citizenship if they intend to stay in New Zealand for more than six months. If they intend to work or study in New Zealand, they must apply for a relevant visa.

British citizens who arrived in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1962 must be a New Zealand citizen or have been granted a residence class visa (or temporary entry class visa, where relevant) to meet the residence criteria for financial assistance from MSD.

Note there may be additional residence requirements that a person must meet to qualify for some types of financial assistance.

For more information see:

Legislation

  • General limitation on receiving benefit: persons unlawfully resident or present in New Zealand and persons holding temporary entry class visa section 19 Social Security Act 2018
  • General transitional provisions section 44 Immigration Act 1987
  • Residence class visas sections 71-75 Immigration Act 2009
  • Holder of visa or permit under former Act deemed to be holder of visa and (if applicable) granted entry permission under this Act section 415 Immigration Act 2009
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A person can be a New Zealand citizen by either:

For New Zealand citizenship, New Zealand includes the self-governing states of:

Citizenship is granted by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Note people born in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau may not automatically be New Zealand citizens. To be considered a New Zealand citizen from birth, a person born on or after 1 January 2006 must have:

A residence class visa means a:

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 ...

Temporary entry class visas are issued to people who have arrived in New Zealand legally, but are only allowed to stay for a temporary period for the duration and purposes indicated on the visa.

A temporary entry class visa means:

Legislation