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New Zealand

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
5,142
Top destination, 2023
Japan
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
7,518
UK visas issued, 2025
4,585
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
3.6%
NationalityNZISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<NZNEW<ZEALAND<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
NZ6<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of New Zealand need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaNo visa; electronic travel authorization (eTA) needed to flyIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from New Zealand move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Japan937
  2. United States890
  3. South Korea658
  4. Australia575
  5. Germany464
  6. Netherlands432
  7. Canada405
  8. France168
  9. Denmark131
  10. Switzerland93
  11. Austria84
  12. Norway47
  13. Italy45
  14. Sweden39
  15. Belgium33

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

27k54k200020032006200920122015201820212023
27k54k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200034,416
200145,903
200225,241
200319,529
200421,961
200525,905
200628,335
200732,701
200839,160
200937,710
201029,206
201139,305
201254,000
201349,062
201437,921
201533,121
201630,550
201729,601
201832,251
201931,492
20208,020
20217,735
202214,491
20235,142
Share going to the top destination
18.2%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in New Zealand who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Australia588,088
  2. United Kingdom50,762
  3. Canada10,875
  4. China3,811
  5. Japan3,785
  6. Singapore3,378
  7. Cook Islands2,718
  8. Hong Kong2,425
  9. Papua New Guinea1,789
  10. Samoa1,164
  11. South Africa1,026
  12. Denmark1,003

Living abroad by year

340k680k19901995200020052010201520202024
340k680k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990329,134
1995381,056
2000454,340
2005518,239
2010620,805
2015675,441
2020679,479
2024679,772
Living abroad, 2024
679,772
Change since 2000
+49.6%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
86.5%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of New Zealand by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. J11,789
  2. B1/B21,710
  3. A2681
  4. F1598
  5. C1/D567
  6. L1245
  7. C3225
  8. O1223
  9. H1B169
  10. P1150

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

5,09410k201720182019202020212022202320242025
5,09410k20172019202120232025
Data table
20176,538
20189,889
201910,188
20205,328
20212,847
20226,240
20239,226
20248,719
20257,518
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. DV63
  2. IR149
  3. CR127
  4. F315
  5. E314
  6. IR213
  7. F410
  8. IR54
Immigrant visas, FY2025
207
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
42
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in New Zealand who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of New Zealand with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

4308602015201620172018201920202021202220232024
430860201520172019202120232024
Data table
2015860
2016850
2017800
2018720
2019840
2020610
2021670
2022650
2023720
2024670
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens420
  2. Employment-based preferences190
  3. Diversity visa lottery40
  4. Family-sponsored preferences20
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)1,770
  2. Intracompany transferees (L-1)1,590
  3. Spouses and children1,390
  4. Specialty occupations (H-1B)830
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)540
  6. Other temporary workers300
  7. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)90
  8. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)30
Green cards, FY2024 (born in New Zealand)
670
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in New Zealand)
670
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
314,970
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of New Zealand (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in New Zealand (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Work3,970
  2. Study213
  3. Family187
  4. Visitor121
  5. Other94

Visas issued by year

4,0498,098201020122014201620182020202220242025
4,0498,098201020132016201920222025
Data table
20107,099
20116,824
20126,156
20136,236
20146,739
20158,098
20166,714
20176,418
20186,177
20196,041
20201,975
20211,756
20224,953
20237,054
20245,697
20254,585
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
565
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of New Zealand, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20251652,0559528050
20241352,2859042080
20231302,26511041085
20221351,55510041040
20217565580770250
20205579070390275
20191102,460135605250
20181002,705100450215
20171052,435100420170
20161502,245130495115
20152451,81590330150
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of New Zealand, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

12232005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
12232005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–064
2006–077
2007–085
2008–098
2009–108
2010–1112
2011–1217
2012–1323
2013–1413
2014–157
2015–1610
2016–177
2017–186
2018–198
2019–206
2020–2111
2021–226
2022–237
2023–244
2024–251
2025–262
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Specialist Skills2
Granted, 2025–26
2
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of New Zealand living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

2,1064,2122012201420162018202220242025
2,1064,2122012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20123,109
20133,109
20143,119
20153,152
20163,239
20173,353
20183,501
20193,672
20223,497
20233,844
20244,022
20254,212
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident1,209
  2. Designated Activities589
  3. Spouse or Child of Japanese National582
  4. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services477
  5. Dependent408
  6. Instructor292
  7. Entertainer178
  8. Student134
  9. Skilled Labor66
  10. Long-Term Resident49
Residents, December 2025
4,212
In work-related statuses
1,176
Share in work-related statuses
27.9%
Students
134
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in New Zealand

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in New Zealand, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France70266420.3%
Netherlands578499529.0%
Germany525493275.1%
Italy25925720.8%
Switzerland24123352.1%
Spain19625742.0%
Poland646211.6%

Applications by year

1,5773,1532009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,5773,153200920122015201820212024
Data table
20091,320
20101,151
20111,509
20121,472
20131,906
20141,748
20152,290
20162,045
20172,495
20182,735
20193,153
2020363
202191
20221,277
20232,277
20242,565
Refusal rate, 2024
3.6%
Refusal rate, 2019
3.4%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of New Zealand in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work1,061
  2. Family688
  3. Other reasons614
  4. Education518
First permits by country
  1. Netherlands568
  2. Germany336
  3. France294
  4. Ireland264
  5. Spain218
  6. Switzerland138
  7. Sweden136
  8. Poland131
  9. Denmark127
  10. Norway124
  11. Italy83
  12. Portugal65
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card57
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)282
  3. Researchers62
  4. Other paid activities660
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
116
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
264
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
789
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
25
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
13,048
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
469
Changed status into work, 2025
73
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
8
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
20
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of New Zealand in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202514443821405
Sweden2025542332503
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025231211
Austria2025846717
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark43
  2. Sweden23
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in New Zealand

Countries with an embassy or consulate in New Zealand, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Argentina1——
Australia—1—
Brazil1——
Chile1——
China12—
Cuba1——
Egypt1——
France1——
Germany1——
Hungary1——
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Ireland1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan11—
Kuwait1——
Mexico1——
Netherlands1——
Peru1——
Philippines1——
Poland1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Switzerland1——
Thailand1——
Timor-Leste1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom——1
United States—1—
Vietnam1——
Countries
35
Missions
38
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by New Zealand, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

270539200020032006200920122015201820212022
2705392000200420082012201620202022
Data table
2000215
2001219
2002233
2003290
2004322
2005352
2006335
2007384
2008421
2009331
2010371
2011455
2012462
2013459
2014535
2015532
2016528
2017539
2018509
2019474
2020428
2021462
2022407
Remittances received, 2022
US$407 million
Share of GDP, 2022
0.2%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2022

All corridors from New Zealand

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • New Zealand → United States
  • New Zealand → Japan
  • New Zealand → Australia
  • New Zealand → Netherlands
  • New Zealand → Canada
  • New Zealand → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more