ISSUE
Friday, August 28, 2026
Volume 17 . Issue 34
ACT is proposing an overhaul of New Zealand’s residence system, if elected, that would require residents to spend at least two years in the country within any five-year period to retain their ability to travel in and out of New Zealand as residents.
Under the proposal, the existing Permanent Resident Visa category would be removed and the current Resident Visa changed to provide holders with a five-year travel facility, replacing the existing initial two-year travel condition.
ACT immigration spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar said residents would need to maintain an ongoing physical connection with New Zealand to retain the travel facility.
"To maintain the travel facility, visa holders would need to be physically present in New Zealand for at least 730 days (2 years) within any rolling five-year period," she said.
"The 730 days would not need to be continuous, but the indefinite, unconditional right to leave and re-enter the country would be removed. This ensures that those who want the ability to travel to New Zealand as residents must continue to demonstrate a meaningful connection with our country.
"There will be exemptions for individuals working overseas for New Zealand employers, accompanying family members, military personnel serving overseas, and those with a citizen spouse, or other compelling humanitarian reasons."
Currently, people who have held a Resident Visa for at least two years can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if they have met the conditions of their visa, demonstrated a commitment to New Zealand and met character requirements.
A Permanent Resident Visa allows holders to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely and travel in and out of the country without restrictions.
Parmar said ACT's proposed system would "better align New Zealand with countries that have comparable immigration systems like Australia, Canada and Singapore, where permanent residence requires an ongoing connection through physical presence or substantial ties.
"This would also create a clearer answer to the question, what is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship? Right now, the two have nearly identical everyday rights. By introducing standard travel conditions, we create an evident distinction, giving people a reason to graduate to citizenship.
"New Zealand is, and should be, a welcoming country for migrants, but the privileges of permanent residence must reflect a real and lasting connection to our nation."
Parmar said the policy would encourage migrants who intended to make New Zealand their permanent home to continue living and contributing in the country, while creating what ACT said would be a fairer system for taxpayers.
ACT is proposing an overhaul of New Zealand’s residence system, if elected, that would require residents to spend at least two years in the country within any five-year period to retain their ability to travel in and out of New Zealand as residents.
Under the proposal, the existing Permanent...
ACT is proposing an overhaul of New Zealand’s residence system, if elected, that would require residents to spend at least two years in the country within any five-year period to retain their ability to travel in and out of New Zealand as residents.
Under the proposal, the existing Permanent Resident Visa category would be removed and the current Resident Visa changed to provide holders with a five-year travel facility, replacing the existing initial two-year travel condition.
ACT immigration spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar said residents would need to maintain an ongoing physical connection with New Zealand to retain the travel facility.
"To maintain the travel facility, visa holders would need to be physically present in New Zealand for at least 730 days (2 years) within any rolling five-year period," she said.
"The 730 days would not need to be continuous, but the indefinite, unconditional right to leave and re-enter the country would be removed. This ensures that those who want the ability to travel to New Zealand as residents must continue to demonstrate a meaningful connection with our country.
"There will be exemptions for individuals working overseas for New Zealand employers, accompanying family members, military personnel serving overseas, and those with a citizen spouse, or other compelling humanitarian reasons."
Currently, people who have held a Resident Visa for at least two years can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if they have met the conditions of their visa, demonstrated a commitment to New Zealand and met character requirements.
A Permanent Resident Visa allows holders to live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely and travel in and out of the country without restrictions.
Parmar said ACT's proposed system would "better align New Zealand with countries that have comparable immigration systems like Australia, Canada and Singapore, where permanent residence requires an ongoing connection through physical presence or substantial ties.
"This would also create a clearer answer to the question, what is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship? Right now, the two have nearly identical everyday rights. By introducing standard travel conditions, we create an evident distinction, giving people a reason to graduate to citizenship.
"New Zealand is, and should be, a welcoming country for migrants, but the privileges of permanent residence must reflect a real and lasting connection to our nation."
Parmar said the policy would encourage migrants who intended to make New Zealand their permanent home to continue living and contributing in the country, while creating what ACT said would be a fairer system for taxpayers.
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