Immigrate to Canada from New Zealand

Those who want to immigrate to Canada from New Zealand can do so through a number of immigration procedures. These include study visas, work permits, and permanent residency in Canada. In order to relocate, one must determine his or her eligibility, gather the required paperwork, and file the application.

Below, our immigration lawyers in Canada explain how you can move here from New Zealand under various programs. You can rely on us for support during and after relocation.

Employment-based relocation to Canada from New Zealand

Without a doubt, one of the most accessible ways to move to Canada from New Zealand is employment, as there are several ways to do so. The main options to obtain a work permit for Canada are:

• applying for an open work visa;
• applying for a closed work permit;
• obtaining an intra-company transfer visa (L-1 visa).

Apart from these, Canada and New Zealand also have a Working Holiday program in place. It addresses people aged no more than 35 who can work and travel through Canada for up to 23 months.

If you choose to immigrate to Canada from New Zealand under any of these employment-related options, you can rely on our local law firm. We can also help you if you need to immigrate to UAE or in another region/ country, through our local partners.

Permanent residency, one of the most sought ways to move  to Canada from New Zealand

Even if temporary residency is an option, most people all over the world decide to use the dedicated permanent residence programs to migrate to Canada.

If you want to immigrate to Canada from New Zealand permanently, here are your main options:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) through which skilled workers can relocate to Canada from New Zealand if they meet the required educational and language proficiency requirements in addition to having a minimum of 12 months of work experience in a defined occupation;
• the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was created for people with at least 2 years of experience in a particular trade and language fluency;
• the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream was created for skilled workers who meet the language proficiency standards and have at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada.

All 3 options are part of the Express Entry Program developed by the Canadian federal government in association with the local governments of most provinces.

How to immigrate to Canada from New Zealand through the Provincial Nominee Program

Those who want to relocate to Canada from New Zealand and live in a particular province can apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Every province and territory has its own streams, aimed at particular immigrants who meet specific requirements and who can contribute to the local economy.

In order to qualify for a nomination through the PNP, candidates must fulfill the requirements established by the relevant province. At the moment, one of the most appreciated streams is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.

No matter the program you choose, permanent residency is available right away, while Canadian citizenship can be obtained within 3 years out of the 5 of being a permanent resident.

Our immigration lawyer in Canada can assist if you want to apply for one of the PNP streams.

Canada – New Zealand relations

Canada and New Zealand have good economic relations. More than that, the number of migrants from one country to the other is also on the rise. In numbers, this data translates into:

• 10,675 New Zealand-born citizens who lived in Canada at the level of 2021;
• USD 3 billion worth of direct investments made by Canada in New Zealand in 2022;
• USD 548 million direct investment made by New Zealand in Canada in 2022.

Our lawyers are also at the service of other nationalities, so if you want to immigrate to Canada from the USA, you can rely on us.

Contact us for guidance and support in immigrating to Canada from New Zealand.