Resident Visa vs Permanent Resident Visa
Key differences and what they mean for your citizenship path
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Resident Visa | Permanent Resident Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Right to live in NZ | Yes | Yes |
| Right to work in NZ | Yes | Yes |
| Travel conditions | Has a travel expiry date | No travel expiry — unlimited |
| Duration | Indefinite (no visa expiry) | Indefinite |
| Conditions | May have conditions | No conditions |
| Eligible for citizenship? | Yes | Yes |
| When available | On approval of residence | After 2 years as resident |
| Application fee | N/A (already held) | ~$500 |
| Can be lost? | Only if cancelled by INZ | Only if cancelled by INZ |
Which one do you need for citizenship?
You do not need a Permanent Resident Visa to apply for citizenship. A standard Resident Visa is sufficient for applying for citizenship.
Key point: Both visa types allow you to apply for citizenship after meeting the 5-year presence requirement. The Citizenship Act 1977 requires you to hold a “residence visa” — this includes both Resident Visas and Permanent Resident Visas.
When can you get a PRV?
You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding a Resident Visa for at least 2 years. During those 2 years, you must meet presence requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Time held visa | At least 2 years |
| Days in NZ | At least 184 days in each of the 2 years |
| Tax obligations | Must have met NZ tax residency obligations |
| No conditions | Must not have breached visa conditions |
Understanding travel conditions
The main practical difference between the two visas is travel conditions.
Resident Visa travel
Your Resident Visa has a travel condition with an expiry date (usually 2 years from grant). After this date, you can still live and work in NZ, but if you leave the country you may not be able to re-enter without applying for a new travel condition or a PRV.
Permanent Resident travel
A PRV has no travel condition expiry. You can leave and re-enter NZ freely, forever. This is the main reason people upgrade to a PRV.
What if my travel condition expires?
You don't lose your right to live in NZ. You just can't re-enter if you leave. Apply for a PRV or a variation of travel conditions before any overseas travel.
Should you get a PRV before citizenship?
It depends on your situation:
Get a PRV if:
- • You need to travel overseas and your travel condition has expired
- • You want the security of unlimited re-entry
- • You're not sure if you'll apply for citizenship yet
- • Your citizenship application may take time and you need to travel
You may not need a PRV if:
- • Your travel condition is still valid
- • You don't plan to travel overseas before your citizenship ceremony
- • You're applying for citizenship soon and will get your NZ passport
How to apply for a PRV
- •Apply online through Immigration NZ's online services portal
- •You need to provide evidence of presence (184 days per year for 2 years)
- •Pay the application fee (~$500)
- •Processing usually takes 2-4 weeks
- •You don't need to send your passport — it's all done electronically