There is no single answer. The range is 6 months to 2 years depending on your visa pathway, how organised you are, and whether complications arise. Here is how the process unfolds, phase by phase.

The first 90 days are research and planning. This is where most people waste time by starting in the wrong order. Start here:

1. Check whether your occupation is on the Green List. If yes, you have the most direct pathway.
2. Use Immigration New Zealand's Visa Wizard to identify the right visa for your situation.
3. Check whether your professional credentials require New Zealand registration (medicine, nursing, law, engineering, teaching) and begin that process. Registration bodies can take months.
4. Have your NZQA credential assessment started if your visa pathway requires it.

This phase takes longer than most people expect. Documents required for New Zealand immigration include originals or certified copies with potential apostille requirements. Key documents to gather and apostille (if needed):

• US passport (valid 6+ months beyond your planned travel date)
• US birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• FBI Identity History Summary (background check)
• State-level police certificate (some applications require this)
• Educational transcripts and degrees
• Employment reference letters

For apostille requirements, see Section 5 of this guide (the dedicated document and apostille section, which precedes this section in the complete article).

Also during this phase: begin your pet import process if relevant. Six months is the minimum from first vet treatment to arrival in New Zealand. Do not delay this.

Visa application submission through Immigration New Zealand's online portal. Processing times vary by visa type. INZ publishes current processing times here. Green List Tier 1 applications often process faster. AEWV applications depend on employer accreditation and job offer.

Biometric collection (fingerprints and photo) is required for some visa types and can be done at a USCIS Application Support Center in the US.

Medical examinations for certain visa types must be done by an INZ-approved physician.

Once your visa is granted, the logistics clock starts. Key tasks in this phase:

• Book international freight. Major shipping companies need 4–6 weeks lead time for household goods.
• Open a New Zealand bank account (ASB and ANZ allow pre-arrival setup).
• Begin the process of ending US obligations: notify IRS of address change (Form 8822), arrange mail forwarding, notify Social Security of address change, notify US state DMV.
• Obtain an International Driving Permit from AAA, valid for one year, recognised in NZ.
• Book temporary accommodation for arrival.

The first month is administrative sprint mode:

• Apply for your IRD number (New Zealand tax number) through IRD online, you need your passport and visa details.
• Activate your New Zealand bank account.
• Register with a GP using HealthPoint to find available practices.
• Enrol children in school with the zone documents and passport copies.
• Visit the AA to convert your US driver's licence once you have a local address.
• Receive your shipped belongings and clear MPI inspection.

If your occupation is on the Green List Tier 1 and you have a job offer from an NZ accredited employer, it is possible to compress the entire process to 4–6 months. Medical professionals and engineers in critical shortage areas often report approval in this timeframe. It is possible but requires no delays in documents, fast employer accreditation, and smooth INZ processing.

Common delays: incomplete apostille documentation (the FBI background check apostille is particularly time-consuming, request the FBI Identity History Summary from the FBI's website, then send for apostille from the US State Department, which can take 6–8 weeks combined), NZQA credential assessments for regulated professions, INZ requests for further information, and pet import preparation.