ACT Proposal to Scrap New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa: What Migrants Should Know

The ACT Party has proposed a significant change to New Zealand residence settings, including removing the Permanent Resident Visa category and introducing an ongoing physical-presence test for Resident Visa holders who want to keep their travel rights.

At this stage, this is a political proposal, not a confirmed change to Immigration NZ rules. Migrants and residents should avoid making decisions based on headlines alone, but it is worth understanding what has been proposed and how it differs from the current New Zealand Visa settings.

What has changed

Nothing has changed in law at the time of writing. The proposal reported by the NZ Herald is from the ACT Party and would need to go through the appropriate political and policy process before it could affect visa holders.

Under the proposal, the existing Permanent Resident Visa category would be removed. Resident Visa holders would instead receive a five-year travel facility and would need to spend at least 730 days in New Zealand during any rolling five-year period to retain that travel facility.

The proposed 730 days would not need to be continuous. However, ACT has said the indefinite and unconditional right to leave and re-enter New Zealand as a permanent resident would be removed. The stated purpose of the policy is to require residents who want continued travel rights to show a meaningful and lasting connection to New Zealand.

Currently, many people who have held a Resident Visa for at least two years can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if they meet the relevant requirements. A Permanent Resident Visa generally allows a person to travel in and out of New Zealand without the same travel-condition expiry that applies to many resident visas.

Current permanent residence requirements already include showing a commitment to New Zealand. According to Immigration NZ information referred to in the source article, this can be shown in several ways, including time spent in New Zealand, New Zealand tax residence, investment, running a business, or establishing a base in New Zealand.

The proposal also refers to exemptions in some circumstances. These may include people working overseas for New Zealand employers, accompanying family members, military personnel serving overseas, people with a citizen spouse, and people with compelling humanitarian reasons. These details would need to be confirmed if any formal policy were developed.

What this means for migrants

For now, the key point is that this is not an immediate rule change. Resident Visa holders and Permanent Resident Visa holders should continue to follow the current conditions attached to their visas and rely on official Immigration NZ guidance.

If a version of this proposal were introduced in the future, it could be particularly relevant for residents who spend extended periods outside New Zealand. This may include people with overseas work assignments, international business commitments, family responsibilities overseas, or plans to live between New Zealand and another country.

It may also be relevant for people planning to Move to New Zealand who are thinking about long-term residence, travel flexibility, and eventual citizenship. The source article notes that permanent residency is not required before applying for New Zealand citizenship. Most people can apply for citizenship after living in New Zealand as a resident for five years, provided they meet the other citizenship requirements.

The practical concern for many migrants is not only whether they can live in New Zealand, but whether they can safely leave and return without disruption. Travel conditions are often overlooked until someone needs to travel urgently or spend time offshore. This proposal has therefore renewed attention on the difference between residence, permanent residence, travel facilities, and citizenship.

Because the proposal is not yet policy, residents should avoid assuming it will apply to them, or that exemptions would be available in the same form as currently described. Immigration settings can be technical, and the impact of any future change would depend on the final wording, timing, transitional provisions, and individual circumstances.

What to do next

If you hold a Resident Visa, check your current travel conditions and expiry dates. If you spend significant time outside New Zealand, keep accurate records of your travel and make sure you understand how your current visa works before leaving the country.

If you may be eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa under current rules, consider reviewing your position sooner rather than later. That does not mean rushing an application without proper advice. It means understanding whether you meet the current criteria, what evidence may be required, and whether applying fits your wider plans.

If you are considering citizenship, check the citizenship requirements separately. Citizenship is handled under different rules from visas, and eligibility depends on more than simply holding residence for a certain period.

For personalised guidance on your New Zealand Visa pathway, you can get matched with a licensed immigration adviser who can assess your residence status, travel plans, and long-term options carefully.

Ready to move to New Zealand? Start your assessment to get matched with a licensed immigration adviser suited to your situation.