Thinking about moving away from the United States? You’re not alone in that thought process. If you’ve finally made the decision to leave the country and try your luck elsewhere, the world is your oyster (thank you, passport privilege). So, where should you go? Well, if you’re a big fan of nature, adventure sports, and progressive politics, New Zealand is a great option and one that I picked for myself in 2020. And as of 2024, I am a permanent resident of New Zealand! Moving to New Zealand can seem pretty scary and overwhelming at first, but I’m here to show you that it is relatively easy to move to New Zealand as an American.
In this extensive guide, I’ll break down the process of moving to New Zealand as an American in an easy-to-digest guide, provide the various visa options, as well as go over how much you should budget for the move, the cost of living, where to live, and much more. Ready for the move?
Disclaimer: This blog post includes affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission – at no extra cost to you. Don’t worry; this doesn’t affect our recommendations whatsoever. It just helps us keep the lights on.
How to Move to New Zealand From the United States: Step-by-Step Guide
Moving to New Zealand seems like a pretty daunting task, but let’s break it down into smaller steps so that this big move seems much more manageable.
Step One: Choose the Right Visa
There are many visas to pick and choose from, ranging from student visas and work visas to resident visas. What you pick is entirely up to your situation. For example, if you have a New Zealand partner, you would be eligible to apply for a work or resident visa based on a partnership.
Choosing the right visa is honestly one of the biggest and most important steps to take when moving to New Zealand. So, take your time to pick the best option for you, and ensure you meet all requirements to apply for the visa beforehand. Many work visas, for example, require you to look for a job and sponsor beforehand. But don’t worry; I’ll go over the various visa options in more detail below.
Once you’ve picked the right visa, apply for it!
Step Two: Create a Timeline and Checklist
Have you received your New Zealand visa? Congratulations! Now, it’s time to create a timeline and checklist to ensure a smooth move to the other side of the world. Decide on the date you want to relocate and work backward to plan milestones.
Here are some items you’ll want to add to your checklist (we’ll go over most of this in this step-by-step guide):
- Selling your belongings
- Storing your belongings
- Booking flights
- Finding short-term accommodation
- Finding a job
Having a curated timeline and checklist will help you to keep track of everything you need to sort before your move.
Step Three: Budget for the Big Move
Let’s talk money. There’s no way to sugarcoat this: moving to New Zealand is not going to be cheap. There’s a lot you will need to budget for, including:
- Flights
- Shipping bigger items
- Short-term accommodation
- Accommodation deposit/bond
- Buying a car
- Buying furniture
- Living expenses for a couple of months if job hunting
Budget how much you’ll need for the move and to survive for a couple of months, and save that money! For more on exactly how much you need to move to New Zealand, I’ll cover that more in detail below.
Step Four: Downsize
There’s really no point in holding onto many of your items when moving across the world. Host a yard sale, list items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, or donate to charity. You’ll only need to bring essential and sentimental items to New Zealand. If it’s something you can easily purchase in New Zealand, it’s better to get rid of it and buy it anew once you arrive.
After downsizing as much as you can and you still have some larger items you will be bringing to New Zealand, check out international shipping services.
Step Five: Book Flights and Plan Your Arrival
Now that you’ve sorted your life in the United States, it’s time to book your flights to New Zealand! Thankfully, there are many direct flights to New Zealand from all over the States, making travel to New Zealand much easier. Look for flights to the Auckland International Airport (AKL).
I highly recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals. Purchase additional checked luggage if needed.
Step Six: Find a Place to Stay
Before your arrival, you will need to sort temporary accommodation. You won’t need to start looking for a more permanent place to stay until you arrive. Sites like Airbnb and Booking.com can be helpful in terms of booking accommodation for a couple of weeks until you can find a place to stay in a city and neighborhood you like.
Step Seven: Set Up Your Life
To start settling into your new life in New Zealand, you’ll need to set up the following:
- Bank Account: Open a local account (two popular options are ANZ and BNZ) to manage finances and receive payments once you start earning money.
- SIM Card: I recommend starting off with an eSIM (such as Airalo) so that you are connected from the get-go, but at your earliest convenience, get a local SIM card or phone plan with providers like Spark, Vodafone, or 2degrees.
- IRD Number: You can quickly and easily apply for an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number online to pay taxes.
Step Eight: Get a Job (If You Don’t Have One Already)
As mentioned already, many of the visa options for New Zealand require you to already have a job offer. But if this does not apply to you, it’s time for you to find a job! The best job boards to check are Trade Me and Seek. LinkedIn can come in handy as well! Don’t forget to tailor your resume and write an engaging cover letter.
Step Nine: Pathway to Residency
Now, you are all set up for your life in New Zealand! All that’s left for you to do is live your life and work toward residency. And once you are a temporary resident, you can become a permanent resident in 2 years and a New Zealand citizen in 5 years!
Moving to New Zealand as a US Citizen: Visa Options
You cannot move to New Zealand as an American without a visa. While you can visit for up to 6 months as a tourist, if you want to live and work in the country, you’ll need to get a visa — more likely than not, before you arrive in the country. There are four main types of visas you can get as a US citizen:
- Working holiday visa
- Student visas
- Work visas
- Resident visas
Working Holiday Visa
If you are aged 18 to 30 years old, the easiest way to move to New Zealand as a US citizen is to get a Working Holiday Visa, a great option for digital nomads and others who want to work in NZ temporarily. This is a visa that allows you to live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. While you are not allowed permanent work with this visa, the Working Holiday Visa is a great jumping-off point for you to determine whether or not New Zealand is the right move for you. And thereafter, since you are already in NZ and have work connections, you’ll be able to find a sponsor for your future Work Visa much more easily.
The Working Holiday Visa is very easy to apply for, and you’ll generally get your visa within days if not hours. But even if it takes longer, it usually won’t take longer than a couple of weeks to process.
Most people we have met who have moved to New Zealand from the United States initially came to NZ with this visa.
Student Visas
Do you want to study in New Zealand? There are two types of student visas you will choose from:
- Fee Paying Student Visa: Allows you to study for an approved course for up to 4 years
- Pathway Student Visa: Allows you to study up to 3 approved courses in a row for up to 5 years in total.
As a student, you are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week while studying full-time. But you can also work full-time hours during the holidays.
Work Visas
There are many types of Work Visas you can apply for as a US citizen wanting to move to New Zealand. You’ll qualify for a Work Visa if:
- You have a job offer from a NZ employer
- You are coming for a specific work-related purpose or event
- You have a partner here that you want to join
- You have been studying here and now want to work
For most Work Visas, you can easily apply online on the Immigration New Zealand website.
Here are some common Work Visa options that may be applicable to you and your situation:
- Post Study Work Visa: You can apply for this if you currently hold a Student Visa and have recently finished your studies in NZ. This visa allows you to work in NZ for up to 3 years.
- Accredited Employer Work Visa: You can apply for this if you have a job offer from an accredited employer. This visa allows you to work in NZ for up to 5 years
- Religious Worker Work Visa: You can apply for this if you have a religious job offer from a religious organization if you have an offer of religious work from a religious organisation. This visa allows you to work in NZ for up to 2 years.
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa: You can apply for this if your partner has a NZ Work Visa. The duration of this visa is the same as your partner’s visa.
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa: You can apply for this if your partner is an NZ citizen or resident. This visa allows you to work in NZ for up to 3 years.
There are more than 80 types of Work Visas in New Zealand, including the various Working Holiday Visas (which we’ve highlighted above), so do your research, and make sure you pick the right visa for you. To help you, I highly recommend checking out this online Immigration New Zealand tool, which will narrow down your best visa options according to your situation.
Resident Visas
The creme de la creme when it comes to visas in New Zealand is the Resident Visa. Just like the Work Visa, there are a few different types of Resident Visas, and what you apply for will depend on your individual situation.
Some of the most common Resident Visas for US citizens include:
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: You can apply for this if you work for or have a job offer from an accredited employer and have at least 6 points for skills and work.
- Work to Residence Visa: You can apply for this if you work for or have a job offer from an accredited employer and have worked in a Tier 2 Green List in-demand role for 2 years.
- Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa: You can apply for this if you have a partner who is a NZ citizen or resident, and you have been living together for at least 12 months.
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa: You can apply for this if you have been employed by an accredited employer for more than 2 years.
Of course, the end goal with a Resident Visa is to eventually apply for a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa. You will be eligible to apply for a PR once you have held a Resident Visa for more than 2 years and have shown your commitment to New Zealand. One way to prove your commitment is to have been in NZ for at least 184 days in each of the last 2 years.
How Much Would It Cost to Move to New Zealand?
Moving countries is a big expense, especially when moving to a country like New Zealand. But exactly how much money should you budget for the move to Aotearoa? Here’s a breakdown of the major costs to consider:
- Visa application fees: The visa application fee depends on the type of visa you are applying for, but the costs can easily range from hundreds of NZD to thousands (with most visas costing in the thousands). You can check the latest fees on the Immigration New Zealand website. Don’t forget to budget for more the visa application fees if applying for your partner and any dependents as well. But as a general rule, for a single applicant, a visa application will cost anywhere between $770 (Working Holiday Visa) and $6,450 (Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa).
- Travel costs: Flights to New Zealand don’t come cheap. You’ll find the cheapest flights from the USA if you are flying from Hawaii, but if you are flying from NYC, expect to shell out a pretty penny for your flights (plus two long travel days). Flights to New Zealand generally range from $1,000 to $2,000 NZD per person. If you plan on shipping your belongings as well, budget an additional $1,000 to $10,000 NZD (depending on your location) for a 20-foot container.
- Temporary accommodation: Unless you’re lucky enough to be able to sort accommodation before you arrive, you’ll likely book temporary accommodation in New Zealand to get you started. Budget around $100 to $250 NZD per night for a short-term rental or hotel. You’ll likely be able to find a place to stay within a couple of weeks.
In addition to the above, if you need to hire an immigration lawyer to help you with your visa application process, you’ll need to budget for that, too! Many New Zealand visas also require medical checks as a part of the process.
In total, on the low end, you’ll need at least $3,000 NZD to move to New Zealand from the USA, but this can quickly add up to $25,000+, depending on various factors, such as:
- Your visa
- Where you are flying from
- Whether or not you are shipping belongings
- How long you require temporary accommodation
- Whether or not you hire an immigration lawyer
How to Find a Job in New Zealand as an American
Whether you require a job in order to obtain a visa or you’re looking for one once you arrive, if you plan to live in New Zealand, you’ll need a job. Finding a job in New Zealand can be competitive at times, but you will be able to find the perfect job for you with a little research and digging.
The best place to go job hunting in New Zealand is through Seek or Trade Me Jobs. You can filter these websites for keywords, categories, and location. Alternatively, you can use a recruitment agency, such as Beyond Recruitment or Madison Recruitment. I’ve used Beyond successfully in the past, and they’ve been a huge help in finding me work in a pinch.
Would you rather work online while you set up your life in New Zealand? Check out our top beginner jobs for digital nomads.
Health Insurance and Healthcare in New Zealand
Healthcare is a hot topic for any American. So, what can you expect when you move to New Zealand? New Zealand’s healthcare system is a mix of public and private healthcare, with many New Zealanders only accessing public healthcare, as it is pretty extensive and accessible. As an American in New Zealand, you may or may not have access to public healthcare in Aotearoa, depending on your visa.
All residents and citizens have access to public healthcare. If you hold a Work Visa, you are eligible as well, as long as the visa allows you to stay in NZ for at least 2 years, including any time you have been in the country immediately prior to getting the visa.
Confused? Let’s look at a couple of examples.
- Example #1: You are eligible if you have a NZ Work Visa that is valid for at least 2 years.
- Example #2: You are eligible if you have a NZ Work Visa that is only valid for 1 year, but you have already been in NZ for a year prior to the start of the Work Visa on a Working Holiday Visa.
- Example #3: You are NOT eligible if your NZ Work Visa is only valid for 18 months.
If you are not covered by public healthcare, you should get some form of health insurance to cover you during your stay. We use SafetyWing as our chosen travel health insurance, which is a great option. While not the most comprehensive, it’ll cover all of your basic needs for a cheap price.
Cost of Public Healthcare in New Zealand
Public healthcare in New Zealand is not 100% free. There are a few things you’ll need to pay for, namely:
- GP visits
- Dental
GP visits are subsidized by the government, so you can pay as little as $20 to as much as $150 for a doctor’s visit. However, if you are not eligible for funding due to your visa situation, you could pay as much as $200 to $300 to see a doctor.
Dental is basically not covered in New Zealand unless you are under 18 years of age. So, expect to pay out of pocket for these expenses.
Thankfully, public hospital visits (provided you have a referral from your GP) and prescriptions are free of charge as long as you are eligible for public healthcare.
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
Here’s the great news: New Zealand has a no-fault scheme called Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) that provides insurance coverage for accidents for literally everyone in New Zealand. So, even if you are visiting NZ temporarily, if you are physically injured in an accident, ACC will cover your medical and rehabilitation costs.
Cost of Living in New Zealand
Quick note: The cost of living in New Zealand is generally calculated weekly rather than monthly. Most people get paid weekly and pay their rent weekly as well. So, with that in mind, let’s jump right in.
The three main areas where you’ll spend a major chunk of your income are:
- Housing
- Food
- Transportation
Housing
Housing prices can vary widely depending on where you are located. But if you are in a major city in New Zealand, like Auckland or Wellington, expect your rent to cost anywhere between $200 and $400 per week for a room in a home. If you would prefer to live alone, a one-bedroom apartment will cost around $400 to $700, whereas a two- to three-bedroom home will cost $600 to $1,200. Your rent will be much lower if you were to settle in a place like Christchurch, which boasts a much lower cost of living.
Keep in mind that most New Zealand houses and rooms do not come furnished, so if you are not shipping your furniture, that’s another one-time moving cost you will need to consider.
Of course, when you’re renting, you should also think about utilities. Utilities are generally calculated monthly, with an average of around $150 to $250 for a single person (a bit more for two) in a one-bedroom apartment, including internet.
Food
In terms of food, let’s divide this into two categories: groceries and eating out. You can budget around $100 to $150 a week on groceries per person. But groceries are EXPENSIVE in New Zealand, and you can easily spend more than that if you aren’t careful. How much you budget for eating out depends on how often you plan to eat out, but on average, a single meal at a standard restaurant will be around $15 to $30 for lunch and $30 to $50 for dinner.
Transportation
New Zealand does not have the best public transportation system, but you can find decent transportation in Auckland and Wellington. In these cities, a single bus fare can cost anywhere from less than $1 per ride to as much as $10, depending on how far you’re going. On average, a bus ride will cost around $5.
You really cannot survive in New Zealand without a car. The issue is that petrol is quite expensive in NZ, with prices hovering between $2 to $3 per liter as a general rule.
Pros and Cons of Living in New Zealand
It’s always smart to weigh the pros and cons before deciding on something big, like moving to New Zealand. If you’re unsure whether living in New Zealand is for you, here are some of the main pros and cons to consider.
Pros
- High quality of life: New Zealand consistently ranks as one of the countries with the highest quality of life due to its low crime rates, clean environment, and stunning landscapes.
- Laid-back lifestyle: On a similar note, NZ boasts a laid-back lifestyle, which is a perfect break from the workaholic lifestyle in the USA.
- The nature: New Zealand is famous for its nature. Here, you can hike, ski, surf, and sail, all in a single day while taking in the breathtaking views and wildlife.
- Friendly locals: New Zealanders, or Kiwis, are warm, friendly, and casual, helping you to feel at home immediately.
- Great for families: While great for single people as well, New Zealand is particularly great for families, due to its many family-friendly activities, great public education, and safe environment.
Cons
- The distance from the US: This was definitely my biggest peeve with NZ. Aotearoa is pretty remote, and getting back to the US is both time-consuming and expensive, meaning you won’t be seeing your friends and family back home as often as you may be used to.
- Smaller economy: While the quality of life is high in NZ, the country does have a smaller economy with more limited career options. Expect to pay a pretty penny when it comes to imported goods as well.
- High cost of living: The cost of living in New Zealand is no joke. It’s definitely not the cheapest place to live.
- Housing costs: Rent can be high in New Zealand, but if you want to eventually buy a house in NZ, you’ll need AT LEAST a million dollars. Yikes.
- Limited public transportation: A car is an absolute necessity in New Zealand, particularly if you don’t live in a major city like Wellington or Auckland.
Tips for Moving to New Zealand as an American
After moving to New Zealand as an American myself, here are some of the top tips I’ll share if you want to do the same:
Open a New Zealand Bank Account
One of the first things you’ll need to do when moving to New Zealand as an American is opening a local bank account. I recommend ANZ, BNZ, or Westpac. Opening a bank account is a very easy process.
Research Driving Rules
First things first, in New Zealand, you drive on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right of the car. If you’ve never driven on the other side of the road before, don’t worry too much; you’ll get used to it pretty quick with some practice! It’s also worth noting that you’ll have to become pretty familiar with using roundabouts, as they’re literally all over the country.
Note that as an American, you can legally drive in NZ with your US driver’s license, but you must exchange the license for a New Zealand one within 12 months.
Pack for the Climate
New Zealand features hot summers and often wet and cold winters, so pack accordingly (our NZ packing list might help)! Don’t forget to bring a rain jacket. I highly recommend packing a lot of outdoor gear as you’re in New Zealand after all.
Get Familiar With Kiwi Slang
While Kiwis do speak English, you will encounter some slang you may have never heard before. Here are some of my favorite Kiwi slang you’ll need to get used to:
- Dairy: Corner shop/convenience store
- Jandals: Flip flops
- Bach: Holiday home
- Sweet/sweet as: Thank you/it’s all good/you’re welcome/that’s cool
- Chur: Thanks
- Togs: Swimwear
- She’ll be right: No worries
Best Places to Live in New Zealand
So, you’re ready to make the move to New Zealand but unsure where exactly to unpack your bags? Here are the best places to live in New Zealand:
- Auckland: If you want to live in a large city, your best bet is Auckland. Despite being a city, Auckland has its charms, featuring wild beaches as well as a cosmopolitan lifestyle if that’s what you’re seeking.
- Wellington: Wellington is undoubtedly the coolest city in New Zealand. It’s big but compact, features great public transport, and is a great jumping-off point for exploring the North and South Islands—if you can get over the windy weather, that is! Heading to Windy Welly? Here’s our list of 25 things to do in Wellington!
- Tauranga/Mt Maunganui: If you want to live in a place with a gorgeous beach, check out Tauranga or, more specifically, Mt Maunganui. This is a relaxed destination that still has some city comforts and is not too far from Auckland.
- Christchurch: Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and features probably the best housing options in all of New Zealand. Plus, it’s very strategically located for convenient exploration of the South Island.
- Queenstown: This is the premier destination for outdoorsy people. A bustling town located in a strategic spot in the South Island, Queenstown is a popular tourist town that New Zealanders and foreigners love.
Psst! If you want to travel around New Zealand first before you make your decision on where to move, you should check out our New Zealand North Island itinerary and New Zealand South Island itinerary!
FAQ
Is New Zealand safe to move to?
Absolutely! New Zealand is often ranked as one of the safest countries in the world and is a very safe country to move to.
How easily can US citizens move to New Zealand?
There are many visa pathways an American can take to move to New Zealand. New Zealand is a relatively easy country to move to compared to countries like Australia or Canada.
Can a US citizen live in New Zealand permanently?
Once a US citizen obtains a resident visa of any sort, they can apply for a permanent resident visa within 2 years, provided they satisfy all other permanent residency requirements.
Can I move to New Zealand without a job?
While most visa pathways require you to have a job beforehand, some work visas and study visas allow you to move to New Zealand even before you are hired, specifically in the study, business, or family categories.
Make Your Move to Aotearoa
Are you ready to take the leap and move to New Zealand just as I did? While no one’s move to New Zealand is going to look 100% the same, this guide should be able to make your move as seamless as possible. Moving to a new country is a daunting process, but the effort you put in will be well worth it the moment the permanent resident visa arrives in your email — it did for me.
About the Author
