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Whether you’re moving to New Zealand for the relaxed way of life or the amazing scenery, there are some things that you need to know. Read on for advice on visas, living costs, how to move and some tips.
If you’re planning to immigrate to New Zealand from South Africa, you’ll appreciate the country’s safety, stable political environment, high-quality education, and excellent work-life balance. However, securing the appropriate visa is a crucial first step.
As a South African citizen, you can apply for various New Zealand immigration visas. Below are the most common options:
| Visa | Basic Information |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | Temporary (5 Years). You must have a job offer with the demanding skills and experience for it. |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Indefinitely. You must have a job offer with the demanding skills and experience for it. |
| Entrepreneur Resident Visa | Indefinitely. You must be self-employed in your own business for at least 6 months or 2 years on another visa. |
In addition to these work visas, there are some other visas that you can apply for:
To be eligible for a permanent resident visa, you must have held a resident visa for at least 24 months. For more information on visas and their criteria, visit the website of the New Zealand Visas Page.
Each visa can require different specific documents. However, in general, they include:
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| Size of Household | Time it takes to Move | Cost of Move |
| 1-bed flat | 6-10 weeks | 34,800R-59,200R |
| 2-bed house | 4-7 weeks | 46,900R-78,200R |
| 3-bed house | 4-7 weeks | 83,400R-137,200R |
Disclaimer: These costs are mere estimates. You must request moving quotes in order to receive accurate prices.
If you need any more information on the costs of moving, read our container shipping prices page for tips and advice.
Moving a pet to New Zealand can range from 1,400 NZD to 2,000 NZD. This includes inspections made in the border clearance, veterinary, and the inspectors themselves.
You’ll also be required to bring some documentation with you on customs, such as evidence of ownership, veterinary certificates, and a permit to import the animal.
Read all the requirements in detail on Bringing pets and animals into NZ on the Customs Service or Travelling Pets to NZ on the Ministry for Primary Industries page.
Understanding the cost of living in New Zealand compared to South Africa can help you prepare for your move. This section covers daily expenses, job opportunities, and housing options to ease your transition.
According to Numbeo, living costs are 118% higher in New Zealand. This is due to the stronger New Zealand dollar, housing, transportation and leisure costs. Nevertheless, this is counteracted by much higher salaries and wages.
Below should give you an idea of the difference in living costs:
| Item | Average Price in South Africa | Average Price in New Zealand |
| One Litre of Milk | 12.94R | 25.81R |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 120.00R | 151.67R |
| Average Monthly Net Salary | 16,315R | 36,213R |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre bottle) | 21.30R | 50.88R |
All of these prices were taken from Numbeo. If you want a better idea of how much your move may cost you, read our international moving costs page for more information.
If you don’t have a job, then you won’t be able to apply for a work visa. So, that should be your top priority. Some sectors that have been labelled as having skills shortages such as medicine, engineering, IT, construction, and trades.
There are some good online portals to find work, for example, Seek or Traderme. However, to secure the job of your dreams, there are some things to consider. Emigration New Zealand has summed up some tips on how to apply for jobs in New Zealand.
Buying a house in New Zealand is relatively easy and is mostly done through estate agents. Despite it not being complicated, we still advise people planning on moving to New Zealand to first rent a place to live rather than buy.
For rental, you can expect around 16,950 R for a one-bedroom apartment in the centre of Auckland, compared to 10,800 R in Cape Town. Prices are higher, however, they do vary depending on size, quality, and location.
Below are some good online portals to find places to rent:
For more advice on renting in New Zealand, justlanded has a page explaining more about rental costs in Auckland and Wellington.
The work-life balance in New Zealand is probably one of the things that drew you to thinking of moving to New Zealand. The country has a lot to offer: amazing landscapes, low crime rates, an abundance of jobs and the friendly Kiwis.
For more information on what New Zealand is like, this article explains what the New Zealand Culture is like. The New Zealand government website has a lot of information that you can use to get a better idea of what New Zealand is like. They also have an online planning tool to plan your move.
There are three types of schools: state-run, state-integrated, and private schools. No matter which school you attend, it is compulsory from the ages of six until sixteen.
Education in New Zealand is regarded to be of a high quality, so it’s no wonder that attending university there is popular for international students. Some of the best universities in New Zealand include the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and the University of Christchurch.
Here’s a comprehensive checklist for South Africans moving to New Zealand, summarizing all the critical steps to facilitate your immigration process:
Find out more about Moving to and settling in New Zealand from New Zealand’s Immigration page or our Moving Abroad page for tips.
Overall, we hope that this page has helped you become better informed about moving to New Zealand. Request quotes through Sirelo today to get started on your moving process. Keep scrolling to find the FAQ section and other resources that may be helpful.
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