Americans are Googling how to move to New Zealand. Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a Kiwi after the pandemic.

Ashburton District, Mid Canterbury, New Zealand
Sheep graze in a field in Mid Canterbury, New Zealand. Jorg Nittmann/Getty Images
  • Around election time, Americans tend to start googling ways that they can move to another country.

  • This year is no different, and on election night 2020, Google searches for "how to move to New Zealand" skyrocketed.

  • There are a few ways you can move to New Zealand if you're a US citizen under normal circumstances, either temporarily or permanently.

  • For workers, one of the most accessible ways is the Long Term Skill Shortage visa.

  • But you probably won't be able to move to New Zealand anytime soon. The border remains closed to the US due to the coronavirus pandemic, and New Zealand has suspended applications for most temporary visas until February 2021.

  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

New Zealand isn't just an escape hatch for Silicon Valley doomsday prepper billionaires like Peter Thiel; it's also become the object of many Americans' affection during the election cycle.

On November 3, 2020 — election night — Google searches for "how to move to Zealand" skyrocketed.

Data from previous election cycles suggests that interest in moving to New Zealand extends beyond just searching.

In the 12 weeks following the November 2016 elections, US-based applications for New Zealand citizenship increased 70% year over year, according to the Associated Press.

If you're looking to make the move to a land of rolling, green hills and sheep as far as the eye can see, you can do so either temporarily or permanently under normal circumstances.

But it's worth noting that New Zealand's border remains closed to the US due to the coronavirus pandemic, and temporary visa applications are on hold for most offshore applicants until February 2021.

Once the pandemic is over, here are the steps you can take to actually make the move and become a Kiwi if that's your ultimate goal.

If your goal is to move to New Zealand, your journey begins with a choice.

woman working laptop computer home
Your visa application begins with knowing why you want to move to New Zealand. Carlina Teteris/Getty Images

The first thing New Zealand's immigration office needs to know is if you want to emigrate for work, study, investing, or joining family.

The path you go down will determine which kind of visa you'll end up applying for.

For people looking to work, your best bet is to have a job already in hand.

job
New Zealand has a few work visa options. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

If you have a job, the country has a number of options in terms of the kind of visa you can apply for. 

Two of 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 and work in New Zealand indefinitely" and "have the skills to contribute to New Zealand's economic growth." New Zealand defines skilled employment as work that requires "specialist, technical or management expertise" and "meets a minimum pay threshold" — currently $25.30 an hour, or NZD $38.25 per hour.

Under normal circumstances, applicants must first send an Expression of Interest to New Zealand Immigration detailing their employment, work experience, and qualifications before being invited to apply.

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

 

The Long Term Skill Shortage visa is a good "try before you commit" option.

vet assistant
Veterinarian is one of the jobs listed on New Zealand Immigration's Long Term Skill Shortage List. Nastasic/Getty Images

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.

The list of needed skills is fairly comprehensive.

chef arranging pastries
Chef de partie, or line cook, is one of the jobs listed on New Zealand Immigration's Long Term Skill Shortage List. Parilov/Shutterstock

You can view the list here.

It includes jobs in construction, engineering, finance, health and social services, telecommunications, hospitality, science, and tradecraft. 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.

The next step is applying.

mailman mail bills
You can submit your visa application either online or by mail. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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 for the Long Term Skill Shortage visa are generally processed within six months.

Have hope, because your chances of getting approved when borders open back up are good.

Makarora New Zealand
A man jumps off a bridge into the water the Blue Pools of Makarora in New Zealand. Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images

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

Between July 2019 and June 2020, 197,824 work visa applications were approved while 12,276 were denied.

In 2021, New Zealand Immigration will be replacing six temporary work visas with a new singular Temporary Work Visa; however, the process for reviewing applicant candidacy will remain largely the same, according to a fact sheet released by New Zealand Immigration.

If your work visa gets accepted, New Zealand has a few pieces of advice for moving.

new zealand lake wanaka
Views of Lake Wanaka from Roy's Peak in South Island, New Zealand. Jorge Fernández/LightRocket via Getty Images

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.

Once you arrive, enjoy New Zealand!

Ashburton District, Mid Canterbury, New Zealand
Sheep graze in a field in Mid Canterbury, New Zealand. Jorg Nittmann/Getty Images

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.

For those who love it so much, they want to become citizens ...

new zealand passport
New Zealand passport. Shutterstock

... 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 be able to hold a basic conversation," have few, if any, marks on your criminal record, and have an understanding of "privileges and responsibilities of a citizen."

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

Your new status grants you the rights of any native New Zealander.

new zealand currecncy
Reserve Bank of New Zealand dollar notes (detail). REUTERS/Dennis Owen

"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.

The only thing left is to enjoy life as a naturalized Kiwi.

Queenstown, New Zealand
Hiker looking at Queenstown from the lookout at sunrise, New Zealand. Matteo Colombo/Getty Images

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