1. Reasearch New Zealand
New Zealand is a country with much to offer in terms of lifestyle and employment opportunities. Researching it online is a good first step in considering a move here. You should take into account factors such as the climate, cost of living, and job market before making a decision. However, New Zealand is definitely a country worth exploring further.
Of course, no country is a perfect place for everyone. You should research its lifestyle, employment, as well as cultural, social and educational aspects before making a decision to move. You should also make sure to understand the laws and regulations in the country, as well as the dual citizenship and residency rules. These could be very different from what you are used to.
2. Check New Zealand Visa Conditions
You will need to check the visa conditions for New Zealand and choose the best visa option based on your planned length of stay, skills, and whether or not you are moving with your family. It is likely that you will need a job offer in order to apply for a visa.
The first step for obtaining a New Zealand visa is to determine whether or not you need one. Citizens of some countries are eligible for a visa waiver that allows them to stay in the country for a period of up to three months without obtaining a visa. However, visa conditions and the entire immigration law of New Zealand is changing intensively (especially in recent years), so accurate and up-to-date information should be found directly on the official website Immigration New Zealand.
3. Find a Job in New Zealand
Browse job websites and contact recruitment agencies or employers directly to enquire about vacancies and to update your CV. Gather the necessary documents to have your qualifications recognised or to apply for registration. If you have recently completed a university degree or other qualification, you may need to have your qualifications recognised by a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) or the New Zealand Ministry of Education (MOE). To achieve this, you may need to show a copy of your degree certificate, pay to have it assessed and submit an application for recognition.
4. Apply for Your New Zealand Visa
When you have been extended a job offer and have gathered all of the required documents, you can then proceed to submit your visa application online. If you need assistance, you can ask for help from your employer or from a registered immigration adviser. Good news, in most cases you can submit your visa application online. Of course, you may be asked to provide / show the originals (paper version) of the required documents in person at a visa application center or to send them by traditional mail to the office.
5. Plan Your Move to New Zealand
How to prepare for moving to another country? It’s not easy. You need to plan your move to New Zealand carefully. Visit the NZ Ready website to help you plan your move to New Zealand. This free online tool can give you a list of tailored tasks to make your move easier, based on your specific circumstances. It will make a handy checklist of the tasks you need to do to prepare for your move, reducing the stress of moving house. The tool will show you which tasks you can do yourself, and which you’ll need to get help with. And as you’re likely to have so many other things to do, it will help you plan your time and stay on track. It will also advise you about where to find help, and link you to more detailed information and resources.
6. Airline Tickets to New Zealand
Getting to New Zealand is no easy feat – the country is made up of islands, so you can’t reach it by train or car. The only way to get there is by sea or air, which is often more expensive and time-consuming than traveling to continental countries (such as those in Europe).
Try to arrange airline tickets for yourself or for your whole family as soon as possible after completing the formalities. Tickets to New Zealand are not cheap, so buy them well in advance as it will save you some money.
7. Settle in New Zealand
Now that you have settled in New Zealand, it is time to focus on your new life here. Start your new life in New Zealand by getting involved in your community. There are many ways to meet people, including through work social clubs, community groups, volunteering, meetups and informal parents’ networks. You’ll soon settle into your new home and make lasting relationships. There are also many things to do and explore in this beautiful country, and you will need to make the most of your time here. There are plenty of opportunities to learn about the local culture and customs, and you will also find that there are plenty of things to keep you busy in your free time. With so much to see and do, you will want to make sure that you take advantage of everything that New Zealand has to offer.
Missing Something? Anything Else?
Read more advices in our posts How to Prepare Yourself for Travel to New Zealand and How to Prepare Yourself for Immigration to New Zealand. And, of course, we wish you good luck!
