Permanent legal residence?

Last activity 17 March 2010 by JayD

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squarepegMember27 December 2009 11:58:25

I'm pretty sure that the answer to the following question is "no" but I'm hoping for a knowledgeable response.

I've been poking around the web site of the New Zealand embassy in the US trying to find out if there is such a thing as permanent legal residency status in New Zealand. Since I can't find anything about it, I assume that there isn't.

Several countries grant permanent legal residency to non-citizens provided that they can demonstrate they won't be a burden to that country.

I obtained permanent legal resident status in Uruguay by:

o taking a physical exam to show I wouldn't burden the health care system,
o getting an Interpol background check done by the US FBI to show I wouldn't burden the criminal justice system,
o providing proof of retirement income to show that I wouldn't burden the social services system.

There were some other minor hoops to jump through, but surely you get the idea.

Nearest thing I've found is a visitor's permit that lets you stay in NZ 6 months a year. I can stay in Uruguay the rest of my life if I want to, no problem. I'm just not a citizen. No such possibility in New Zealand, right?

Bens ownerMember28 December 2009 06:28:24

yes you can I have one you are usually granted 2 years if you complete points test depending on route (we went skilled Migrant) then permanent permanent if you fulfill further criteria

squarepegMember30 December 2009 15:11:19

Thanks for the reply, but I'm trying to find something else out, it seems.

I'm retired and neither want to work in or invest in New Zealand. I just want to be retired there and live off of my retirement income--not taking a job from a Kiwi or providing jobs for Kiwis.

I've got the same kind of ID card here in Uruguay that a citizen born in Uruguay has. We all have to renew our cards every 3 years. I can't vote but have many other entitlements; my card says (in Spanish) permanent legal resident rather than citizen by birth. If I stay here 2 more years I can get a passport without becoming a citizen.

I took a whack at the skilled immigrant category 26 years ago when the official government unemployment rate in NZ was 20%. A Kiwi told me nicely that unemployment was unacceptably high in NZ and any job would go to a Kiwi before it went to a Yank. Ever since then, I've never tried to get a job in another country.

So can I wile away my retirement in NZ by demonstrating I'm in good health, don't have a criminal record and can live off my retirement income?

I don't want to become a citizen. I'm no Einstein, but I like something that Einstein said: "I am a citizen of the world."

nokjokMember02 January 2010 11:51:46

Hi Montevideo,

It is probably easier to get residency status in a third-world country than in a first-world country like New Zealand. I am almost 100% sure that without permit residence you cannot retire here. There is no official retirement immigration category.

JayDNew member17 March 2010 00:17:34

I've just moved to NZ from the UK, my wif eis a Kiwi.

Currently there is not option to retire here. Inherantly older people pose a greater risk to the health care system, this is unavoidable and even with private medical cover the system cannot refuse treatment if the patient refuses to pay so it's a risk.

I did however recently read that the government are lookign at addign a retirment category of immigration... you have to have soemthing like NZ $1M income / investment each year so it's aimed at the super rich really.

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