How to move to New Zealand and become a naturalized Kiwi

If you do have a job, the country has a number of options in terms of the kind of visa you can apply for. The most popular for future residents are the Skilled Migrant and Long Term Skill Shortage visas.

Skilled Migrant visas are for people who "want to live in New Zealand permanently and ... have skills that can contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth."

The Long Term Skill Shortage visa is for people whose skills fit one of the jobs listed on the immigration's site.

With this particular visa, you can work for 30 months in New Zealand in a position for which the country has a shortage of available talent.

After 24 months of working in a job related to the list of skills, you can apply to become a permanent resident. You can also apply for another temporary work visa.

You can view the list here.

It includes jobs in construction, engineering, finance, and health and social services. If an applicant's skills don't meet any of those listed, there are also paths to acquiring a visa through the arts, sports, and entertainment.

Once you've gathered all of the necessary documents, including a birth certificate, a (relatively) clean bill of health, references, and employment history, you have the option to submit the application either online or by mail.

New Zealand's immigration office says online applications generally take about 25 days, while paper applications take 23 days.

According to a decade's worth of visa statistics, far more applications get accepted than denied.

Last year, 147,535 applications were approved while 9,753 were denied.

Most people find temporary places to stay before settling into more permanent housing, especially if they anticipate moving around a great deal within the first two years.

The immigration office also recommends settling your new bank account before getting too deep into the move.

The country touts its cheap (and sometimes free) healthcare, sweeping views, easygoing climate, and friendly people.

There are endless hills to hike, rugby matches to attend, and new culture to embrace.

... most people (if they aren't the child of a New Zealander) will need to gain citizenship by grant.

In order to be considered for citizenship, you have to be a resident for at least five years, know English well enough "to handle everyday situations," have few, if any, marks on your criminal record, and have an understanding of "the responsibilities and privileges of New Zealand citizenship."

Most applicants are not called in for a personal interview, but there are certain fees involved.

"They include the right to travel freely overseas and return on a New Zealand passport, full access to economic rights, and full access to educational scholarships and awards that are reserved for New Zealanders," the immigration office states.