Individuals who wish to immigrate to India from New Zealand need to obtain the appropriate visa that accommodates their purpose, regardless of how long they stay in India. You can choose to move to India for work, study, cultural activities, or family reunification. Our immigration lawyers in India will guide you through the visa application process and help you with any information regarding the procedures.
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Which visa do I need to immigrate to India from New Zealand?
You can apply for multiple visa types if you plan to immigrate to India from New Zealand. Depending on the purpose of your visit, our team can help you to apply for:
- Tourist visa – which allows you to travel in the country for a maximum of 180 days;
- Business visa – ideal for those who wish to open a company in India or explore other business opportunities within the country;
- Employment visa – for those seeking to work within India (also includes personnel relocation in India);
- Student visa – for those who relocate to India from New Zealand to study at an accredited Indian educational institution;
- Intern visa – if you have an internship in an Indian company;
- Entry visa – granted for family reunification with an Indian citizen or to individuals with Indian ancestry.
Each type of visa has its own specific criteria and documents. For example, applying for a business visa requires a letter from a New Zealand company that wishes to explore business opportunities in India or an invitation from an Indian company. Our Indian lawyers will detail the full documentation and procedure based on the visa you apply for.
Immigrating to India from New Zealand for work
If you are immigrating to India from New Zealand for employment, you must meet the following criteria and respect this procedure:
- Fill out a visa application form and submit it with passport-sized photos;
- Have a valid passport (at least 6 months valid from the date of arrival in India);
- Provide proof of residence in New Zealand;
- Provide proof of paid visa fees;
- Your job offer in India should provide an annual salary of at least INR 16.25 lakhs (approximately 18.000 euros) per year;
- Provide the employment contract and acceptance of the job offer;
- Provide proof that the company you work for is registered in India;
- Provide copies of your educational certificates;
- Relocating to India from New Zealand for work purposes might also require your resume, as part of the required documents.
Please note that some jobs, such as teaching, need specific approvals granted by Indian authorities. Our attorneys in India can help in these cases as well.
The duration of the employment visa is granted for a maximum period of one year initially. It can be renewed annually at your nearest Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) up to a total of 5 years.
FRRO also handles the issuance of the residency permit in India. To obtain it, you must register within 14 arrival days.
Our team can also help with the post-arrival steps of immigrating to India from New Zealand.
Statistics about the Indian community in New Zeland
New Zealand has a significant and growing Indian community, as highlighted by these statistics:
- 38,197 Indians migrated to New Zealand from September to August 2023;
- 70,100 new arrivals from India were registered during the same period;
- Approximately 60% of visitors from India came to visit friends and relatives.
For more details regarding relocating to India from New Zealand or other immigration issues, contact our Indian lawyers for assistance.