How This Tool Works

The NZ Relocation Checklist Generator takes three inputs: your visa type, your family composition, and your departure timeline. From these, it produces a phased checklist, grouping tasks by urgency so you know what to tackle first and what can wait.

The checklist logic follows this structure:

Each task is clickable: tap or click to mark it done. Your progress is tracked at the top. The checklist is interactive in browser and prints cleanly for offline use.

Why Nigerians Are Moving to New Zealand

New Zealand does not appear as often as Canada, the UK, or Australia in Nigerian relocation conversations. But for specific profiles, it is quietly gaining ground. The main draws are persistent skill shortages in healthcare, engineering, construction, and ICT; a safety record that consistently ranks among the world’s best; and an immigration system that, while selective, is also relatively transparent.

For Nigerian nurses and doctors especially, the Green List pathway represents one of the clearest direct-to-residence routes available anywhere in the English-speaking world. A registered nurse who completes NZ registration and receives a job offer can, in principle, apply for permanent residence from day one of arrival. That kind of clarity matters when you are planning a life change.

New Zealand also appeals to Nigerian students who want a post-study work route into a safety-conscious, English-speaking country without the backlog uncertainty of the UK or the lottery pressure of the US. The Post-Study Work Visa of up to 3 years for master’s graduates provides meaningful runway.

What the Checklist Covers

Documents phase

Every NZ relocation starts with documents. The most time-sensitive item is the Nigerian Police Force Clearance Certificate, which takes 3 to 6 weeks to process. If you have lived in other countries for 5 or more years since age 17, you need PCCs from those countries too. Some countries (UK, US, Canada) can take 4 to 8 weeks. Start the PCC process before anything else.

Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay, plus at least 3 months beyond. If it is expiring within a year of your planned departure, renew it first. A passport renewal in Nigeria currently takes 6 to 8 weeks.

Medical and health phase

INZ requires health examinations for most residence visa applicants and for student visa applicants who are from countries with elevated TB risk. Nigeria qualifies. The examination must be done by an INZ-approved panel physician. There is no approved panel physician in Nigeria as of early 2026 (the nearest are typically in Ghana or South Africa). Plan for travel costs in your budget or apply for a medical examination after arriving in NZ on your initial visa.

Financial preparation phase

INZ requires proof of funds for most visa types. For the student visa, that means NZD 20,000 per year for living costs, plus tuition. For the AEWV, you do not need to show proof of funds to INZ, but arriving in NZ with less than NZD 5,000 in accessible savings makes the first month very stressful. Rental bonds in Auckland are typically NZD 3,000 to 5,000. Agency fees, deposit, and first rent on arrival can hit NZD 6,000 to 9,000 before your first paycheck.

Arrival and settlement phase

The first two weeks in New Zealand are consistently the most logistically intense part of any relocation. You need a local bank account (to receive salary and pay rent), an IRD number (your NZ tax number, needed for employment), a SIM card, and somewhere to live. Many new arrivals spend 1 to 4 weeks in short-term accommodation while finalising permanent housing.

Table of Truth: NZ Relocation Tasks by Timeline

Realistic Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single nursing graduate on Green List Straight to Residence

Chioma completed her BSc Nursing at UNILAG. She applies to the Nursing Council of NZ for registration (3 to 6 months). She sits IELTS (OET is often preferred for nurses). She receives a job offer from an Auckland hospital. She applies simultaneously for her PCC (6 weeks) and medical examination (in Ghana or South Africa). Her relocation checklist has roughly 40 tasks, spread across 9 to 12 months. On arrival, she applies for Straight to Residence. Timeline to permanent residence: day of arrival.

Scenario 2: Couple on AEWV (IT professional)

Bayo has a software engineering job offer from a Wellington tech firm. His wife will join on a Partner of Worker Work Visa. Their checklist includes: 2 PCCs from Nigeria, 2 IELTS tests, 1 NZQA assessment (Bayo’s degree), employer-initiated visa link for Bayo, and a separate visa application for his wife. Settlement fund needed: at least NZD 12,000 to NZD 18,000 for first month (bond, rent, setup costs for two). Timeline: 6 to 9 months from job offer to departure.

Scenario 3: Family relocating via student route

Emeka enrolls in a 1.5-year Master’s in Information Technology at Massey University. His wife stays in Nigeria initially. His checklist has about 35 tasks across 6 to 9 months. Key tasks unique to this scenario: university enrollment confirmation, student health insurance (mandatory), NZQA transcript assessment, tuition payment proof, and financial evidence of NZD 20,000+ living costs. His wife and children join after he secures a Post-Study Work Visa and stable income, typically 18 to 24 months later. This is a longer, more expensive route to family settlement.

Common Mistakes Nigerians Make When Relocating to NZ

Starting the PCC too late

The Nigerian Police Force PCC is one of the most unpredictable timelines in any NZ relocation. Some applicants receive it in 3 weeks; others wait 3 months. NZ residence applications require PCCs from every country you have lived in for 5 or more years since age 17. If your PCC results are more than 6 months old when INZ receives your application, you need a new one. Start this before you do anything else.

Assuming a Nigerian degree counts automatically

For SMC residence applicants claiming qualification points, a Nigerian degree does not automatically earn points. It must be assessed by NZQA first. The assessment costs NZD 550 to 825 and takes 6 to 12 weeks. If your degree is on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, you skip this step; most Nigerian degrees are not on that list.

Arriving with insufficient settlement funds

Landing in Auckland with NZD 2,000 is a stressful way to begin a new life. A rental bond is typically 2 to 4 weeks rent. Auckland average rent for a 1-bedroom flat is NZD 2,000 to 2,800 per month (2025 figures). Add agency fees, first month’s rent in advance, groceries, a local SIM, and transport, and you can easily spend NZD 6,000 to 9,000 before your first paycheck. Budget conservatively.

Not checking if your NZ occupational registration is required before arriving

If your occupation is regulated in NZ (nursing, medicine, teaching, engineering, law), you must have or be in the process of obtaining NZ registration before you can work in that capacity. You cannot work as a registered nurse in NZ on a general work visa without Nursing Council registration. This process takes 3 to 6 months for internationally trained nurses. Start it early.

FAQ

How long does the NZ relocation process take from Nigeria?

It varies significantly by visa type. For an AEWV (work visa) with a confirmed job offer and complete documents, the process from decision to departure typically takes 4 to 6 months. For SMC residence (without a prior NZ job), the timeline is 1 to 2 years including the AEWV period. For the student visa, 6 to 9 months is realistic from application start to departure.

Is a police clearance certificate mandatory for New Zealand?

Yes, for most visa types. INZ requires a police certificate from Nigeria and from any other country where you have lived for 5 or more years since age 17. The certificate must be recent (typically less than 6 months old when INZ receives your application) and must cover the entire country where you lived, not just a specific city.

Can I open a NZ bank account before I arrive?

Yes, some NZ banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, Kiwibank) allow international applicants to open accounts online before arrival. The process varies by bank. Having a bank account ready means your employer can pay you immediately. Without a bank account, your first paycheck may be delayed.

Do I need to get my Nigerian driving licence converted?

You can drive in NZ on your Nigerian driving licence for up to 12 months from your arrival date. After 12 months, you need to convert it to a NZ licence. The conversion process typically requires a theory test and may require a driving test if your original licence is not in English or is not accepted directly. Budget NZD 150 to 300 for the conversion process.

What is an IRD number and do I need one?

An IRD number is your New Zealand tax number. You need one to work legally, open a bank account for salary payments, and access government services. You can apply for it online once you arrive in NZ and have a visa. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days. Without an IRD number, your employer will withhold tax at the highest rate (45%) from your salary. Apply for it within your first week.

Does this checklist include every task I will ever need?

No. This checklist covers the most common and critical tasks based on your visa type and situation. Your specific circumstances may add additional steps: for example, if you have a complex immigration history, criminal record disclosures, or dependants with special needs. This checklist is a starting point, not an exhaustive legal requirement list.

Can I use this checklist offline?

Yes. Use the “Download PDF” button to print the checklist as a PDF file. The printed version is clean and suitable for offline tracking. Your tick progress does not save between browser sessions, so download or print when you want a record.