Canadians have eight legal pathways from a Canadian passport to a New Zealand life. They are presented here from fastest to most complex. The right choice depends on age, occupation, employer situation, and family structure. All visa conditions are published at immigration.govt.nz.

A Canadian passport holder can enter New Zealand visa-free for up to 90 days. An NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) - costing starts from NZD $17 - is required before boarding. A separate Visitor Visa extends stays up to 9 months but requires proof of return travel, accommodation plans, and sufficient funds.

Neither the NZeTA nor the Visitor Visa authorises paid work. This includes remote work for a Canadian employer if it is regular, ongoing, and performed while physically in New Zealand.

The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is available to Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35 at application. It is an open work visa - any employer, any role, no job offer required. The cost is NZD 770. Processing takes 3 to 5 weeks when the application is complete.

Canadians can apply for 12 or 23 months. The 23-month option is applied for directly; extending a 12-month visa by 11 months from inside NZ also works. The WHV can only be held once in a lifetime.

The WHV is not a residency pathway without a deliberate conversion plan. It is the right entry point for Canadians who want to try life in NZ before committing to a longer immigration process.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the primary route for Canadians with a job offer from a New Zealand employer. It operates through three sequential gates:

• The employer must hold current INZ accreditation
• The job must pass a job check confirming it meets the median wage threshold and cannot be filled locally
• The applicant must pass character and health checks

The AEWV is granted for up to 5 years for roles at ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2, or 3 (skilled and specialist occupations). Roles at ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5 are granted for up to 3 years as of March 2025. Partners and dependent children under 24 can be included. A partner whose primary holder earns above the median wage receives open work rights. Processing takes 6 to 12 weeks for a complete application with a pre-accredited employer.

The Green List is New Zealand's direct immigration track for occupations in critical shortage. It has two tiers.

Tier 1 : Straight to Residence: Applicants in Tier 1 occupations apply directly for a resident visa without holding a work visa first. A relevant NZ registration and a job offer from an accredited employer are required.

Tier 2 : Work to Residence: Applicants in Tier 2 occupations hold an AEWV for 24 months in the qualifying role, then apply for residence.

Check the current Green List at immigration.govt.nz - it is updated when occupation shortage profiles change.

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) uses a points-based system. . To qualify, you need a job with an approved New Zealand employer, meet a minimum wage requirement, and score at least 6 points.

Points come from one of three things: a New Zealand professional licence, your qualification level, or how much you earn. You only use whichever scores highest. If you still need a point or two, each year of skilled work experience in New Zealand adds one more.

There is no quota and no waiting list. Once your points check out, Immigration New Zealand invites you to apply, and your full residency application is processed from there. That typically takes 6 to 18 months. From August 2026, two new entry routes open up for trades workers and experienced professionals who struggle to hit 6 points through the standard method. Verify current requirements at immigration.govt.nz before applying.

The Partnership Visa allows a Canadian to live in New Zealand if their partner is a NZ citizen, resident, or work visa holder. Evidence of a genuine and stable relationship is assessed through cohabitation history, financial interdependence, and declarations from people who know the couple.

A temporary Partnership Visa is granted for relationships under 12 months at application. A residence-class Partnership Visa applies to relationships of 12 months or more.

The Parent Resident Visa is the main route for Canadian parents of NZ-resident or citizen adult children. It is subject to an annual ballot. The sponsoring child must meet an income threshold to demonstrate they can support the parent without public funds. Wait times commonly run 5 or more years.

A student visa allows full-time study with part-time work rights (20 hours per week during study; full-time during breaks). Post-study open work rights depend on qualification level and study location. A master's or doctoral degree from any NZ institution gives a 3-year open work visa. A bachelor's from outside Auckland gives 3 years; from Auckland, 2 years. Current rules are published at immigration.govt.nz.

The Active Investor Plus Visa targets individuals with NZD 5 million or more available for qualifying NZ investments. A minimum portion must be in high-growth categories (direct investments, venture capital, managed funds). Compliance obligations are specific - legal advice from an IAA-registered adviser is required for this track.