Move to New Zealand (2024)

FAQs

Can a US citizen move to New Zealand? ›

Moving to New Zealand as an American is relatively straightforward, but it involves several steps, including obtaining the appropriate visa. The process can be time-consuming and requires careful planning, especially if you are applying for a work visa or permanent residency.

There isn't a set amount of money needed to move to New Zealand from the UK. However, it's important that you have enough money to allow you to live comfortably and in accordance with the cost of living, which is similar to the UK.

This is likely to depend on how long you want to stay, whether your skills are in demand in New Zealand, and if you are moving with your family. You'll likely need a job offer before applying for your visa.

Cost of Renting a House or Apartment:

The rent cost in New Zealand largely depends on the location. Rent in New Zealand is calculated weekly. The average rent in New Zealand is approximately NZD 400 a week for a small home (one or two bedrooms) and NZD 530 for a two- or four-bedroom apartment or house.

Minimum wage increased on 1 April 2024.

adult minimum wage has gone up from $22.70 to $23.15 per hour. starting-out and training minimum wage has gone up from $18.16 to $18.52 per hour.

However, prices started falling in 2022 in response to tightening of mortgage availability and supply increasing. Some areas saw drops as high as around 9% - albeit from very high prices. Unaffordable housing has produced profound impacts on New Zealand society.

Visas. The requirements for emigration to New Zealand are a little lower than to Australia. You can be aged up to and including 55 years old, and the list of occupations in demand by New Zealand includes more manual labour, such as bakers, scaffolders, roofers and parachute trainers.

There's a consensus amongst people living in New Zealand that our country is expensive. We tend to pay more than other countries for rent, eating out, groceries, electricity, petrol and clothing.

Can Americans buy property in New Zealand? ›

Yes, any foreign buyer can buy an investment property within New Zealand. But, some foreign buyers will face more restrictions than others. If you're an NZ, Australian or Singaporean citizen, you have more options compared to someone who is Estonian, for example.

Single entry Visitor Visa

If you want to visit New Zealand for more than 6 months or extend your current 6-month stay in New Zealand, we consider issuing you a single entry visa. This lets you enter New Zealand once and stay for up to 9 months in an 18-month period.

Overseas people usually cannot buy a house or land in New Zealand. If you have a residence class visa but you are not yet 'ordinarily resident', you can buy or build one home to live in as long as you get consent from the Overseas Investment Office before you buy.

If you're over 55, there are other options, and if you're looking to retire New Zealand actually offers two visa programs made specifically for retirees.

If you are at least 66 years old and you wish to retire and invest in New Zealand, you may apply for a Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa. You must be able to invest NZ$750,000 in New Zealand, and keep it for at least two years.