New Zealand citizens are allowed to travel to France for a short-period stay of maximum 90 days without having to apply for a visa. People who are looking to immigrate to France from New Zealand need to proceed to the application process for a long-stay visa. In order to simplify the procedure and obtain the information regarding immigration to France, our specialized team of lawyers can offer you the needed assistance.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa required to enter France as a NZ national (YES/NO) | NO |
|
Maximum allowed stay without a visa |
90 days |
|
Visa application made with |
The French Embassy in New Zealand |
| Conditions for relocation to France from New Zealand |
– having a valid passport and clear criminal record, – presenting health insurance, – applying for a resident permit if relocation exceeds 90 days |
| Is a Working Holiday Visa available for New Zealand? |
Yes, available option for citizens from New Zealand |
| Who can apply for a Working Holiday Visa? |
Citizens from New Zealand aged between 18 and 30 years. They can visit and work in France for 12 months and prolong the visa on request. |
| Health insurance solicited for immigration to France |
As part of the visa and relocation application |
| Residency by real estate investments in France |
Does not guarantee residence in France nor qualify for this status |
| Minimum investment for fast relocation to France |
No dedicated program or specified minimum investments. However, creating a business in France or investing in an existing one are available options. |
| Time frame to get French residency | Between 45 and 60 days |
| What is the Talent Passport Scheme? |
A special program that allows foreigners to start a business in France and get residency for 4 years |
| Real estate investment program to get residency in France (YES/NO) |
NO |
| Immigration authority in France |
The French Office for Immigration and Integration |
| Costs related to relocation to France |
For: – visa, – health insurance, – renting/buying a house, – packing, – shipping, etc. |
| Working with our French immigration lawyers |
We assist citizens from New Zealand to relocate to France by managing the procedures and formalities. Complete legal services can be offered at affordable costs. |
Table of Contents
Visa options to move to France from New Zealand
Individuals intending to relocate to France from New Zealand can apply for any of the following long-stay visas depending on the purpose of the move:
- Employee visa: for people who have found jobs in France and are looking to immigrate to the country from New Zealand. The employer has to apply for a work permit before the employee applies for the visa;
- Self-employed visa: for individuals looking to do business in France after immigrating from New Zealand. They need to present a viable business plan and proof of financial capacity;
- Student visa: for students who have gained admission into any university in France and are looking to immigrate from New Zealand;
- Talent passport visa: for highly-skilled workers, researchers, artists, and investors who are looking to move to France from New Zealand and contribute to the country’s economy.
These are the main types of visas issued for the purpose of immigration from New Zealand to France. Due to the complexity involved in the application and documentation process for each type of visa, you can seek the services of our experienced French immigration lawyers.
Procedures to apply for long-stay visa in France
Any resident from New Zealand who is looking to move to France must follow the required steps imposed by the French authorities in order to obtain a visa. In this case, it is necessary to apply for a long-term visa by making an appointment at the French Embassy in New Zealand. An important fact to mention is that the long-stay French visa is only available for a limited period of time which lasts between 3 and 12 months. If this period of 12 months is exceeded and you decide to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit.
If you need further support to apply for this kind of visa, our immigration lawyers in France can offer specialized assistance in this matter. You can also discover this infographic with details about the relocation from New Zealand to France:
What to prepare before moving to France from New Zealand
In order for your application to be accepted and to be able to move to France from New Zealand, there is a documentation requirement imposed by the local French authorities to prepare before, such as:
- travel document (passport) which was issued less than 10 years ago and has an availability of an additional 3 months longer than the visa requested;
- one photo in ID format;
- proof that you are a resident of New Zealand in the case that you are not a national;
- official certificate that attests no criminal record.
Furthermore, it is important to verify other requirements before applying for a visa in France, such as the fee for application or financial records needed to move to France from New Zealand. Find support from our immigration lawyers in France in order to meet all the requirements for relocation. Here is a video presentation that explains more on this topic:
Relocate to France from New Zealand for business purposes
If you are planning to start a business in France or join an existing one and this implies relocating to France for more than 90 days, it is important to know that you can apply for a French visa.
In the case of starting a new business in France, it is necessary to prepare the following documents before applying for a visa:
- a business plan written as a presentation that should contain a budget for multiple years;
- proof of existence as a legal person who can operate business procedures;
- proof from a French-based credit institution or approved insurance company that can guarantee your business;
- copy of the commercial lease/ sub-lease agreement presenting the business activity.
If you are planning to immigrate to France from New Zealand in order to join an existing business in this country, you must present the following documentation:
- proof that shows your financial involvement during the creation process of the business;
- official extract from the company’s registration from the last 3 months;
- official tax status certificate from the French authorities;
- official certificate from the French body managing social security payments to prove that the company’s payments are up to date;
- employment contract in original, only in the case of the applicant having an employee status in the company.
For more information regarding immigration in France for business purposes, you can find assistance from our specialized immigration lawyers.
Can I obtain citizenship in France?
Generally, people moving to France from New Zealand choose to remain in this country permanently based on work, family or financial reasons. Citizenship can be obtained through: naturalization, birth, adoption or descend. For foreigners having already residency in France, the naturalization process is the most common way to obtain citizenship.
New Zealand citizens can apply for French citizenship by naturalization following the conditions below:
- being a resident in France for minimum 5 years;
- presenting proof of knowledge of the French language at a minimum level of B1;
- presenting proof of knowledge regarding French history, culture, and business information;
- having sufficient income in order to support a household in France;
- presenting official documentation of no criminal convictions or imprisonment.
Obtaining citizenship in France comes with a rigorous procedure that can be easily organized with the help of our immigration lawyers in France.
ETIAS travel authorization for short stays in France
Although New Zealand citizens are currently entitled to visa-free travel for short visits, new regulations are being implemented. From 2026 onwards, travelers who want to relocate to France from New Zealand for short stays or tourism activities will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization prior to their arrival in the Schengen Area. This authorization will be valid for multiple entries for a period of three years, and travelers will be able to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days in a 180-day period. Travelers who want to move to France from New Zealand for long-term stays will be required to apply for a long-stay visa.
Why move to France?
Over the past years, the number of people choosing to immigrate to France from New Zealand has increased as this country offers several opportunities regarding: education, employment, culture, and social matters. Find below the most important advantages of relocating to France:
- High education is affordable as France has one of the most developed educational systems in the world, offering French residents the chance to study in various fields.
- Living in France means enjoying a good work-life balance as the French employment system offers 5 weeks of paid leave, 35 hours of work/ week, August holidays, and more benefits that allow people to enjoy life while working.
- Social security is a priority for the French system as it successfully covers health care, pensions, and unemployment insurance.
- Being a resident in France also means to benefit from its cultural diversity and beauty.
Statistics on immigration in France
As relocation to France has become well received based on the country’s educational and financial development, if you decide to move to this country, find below the official data from the past years regarding immigration in France:
- In 2024, net migration rate in France was 90,527, with a 1.43% decline from 2023;
- In 2023, net migration rate in France was 91,862;
- In 2022, net migration rate in France was 179,377, with an increase of 36.44% compared to 2021.
For more information and support regarding immigration to France from New Zealand and obtaining a visa, do not hesitate to contact us.
