Arriving with your visa sorted is the big step. The first few weeks are about setting up the things everything else depends on: a tax number, a bank account, a doctor, somewhere to live, and knowing exactly what your visa lets you do.
The checklist
| When | Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before you fly, or day 1 | Apply for an IRD number (myIR, as a new arrival) | Without it you're taxed at 45%. See IRD number on a visa |
| Week 1 | Open a bank account | Some banks let you start before you arrive; you'll need your passport, visa and NZ address |
| Week 1 | Read your visa conditions in your eVisa | Your employer, job, location, study and work hours |
| Week 1 | Get a phone (SIM or eSIM) | Banks, IRD and employers send codes by text |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Check you're eligible for public healthcare | Depends on your visa. See public health eligibility |
| Weeks 1 to 4 | Enrol with a GP (family doctor) | Some practices aren't taking new patients; start early |
| Weeks 1 to 4 | Find a rental | Bonds are lodged with Tenancy Services, not kept by the landlord |
| Weeks 1 to 4 | Enrol children in school | Your address decides your school zone |
| Within 12 months | Convert or get a NZ driver licence | Overseas licences are valid for 12 months from arrival |
Health
- Eligible for public healthcare: residents, and work visa holders whose visa lets them stay 2 years or more. Others need insurance.
- ACC covers accidental injuries for everyone, including visitors.
- Emergencies: call 111. Hospital emergency departments treat everyone, but non-eligible people may be billed.
- Adult dental care isn't publicly funded.
Renting
- Landlords can ask for up to 4 weeks' rent as bond, which must be lodged with Tenancy Services.
- You'll usually need references, ID and proof of income.
- Never pay money for a place you haven't seen or verified.
Schools and childcare
- State schools are free for eligible children; schools may ask for donations, which are voluntary.
- Your home address decides your school zone.
- The government funds 20 hours a week of early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5.
Driving
- New Zealand drives on the left.
- Your overseas licence is valid for 12 months from arrival. After that you need a New Zealand licence; some countries' licences can be converted without tests, others need theory and practical tests.
- If your licence isn't in English, carry an approved translation or international driving permit.
Where an adviser helps: the first weeks are when people unknowingly breach visa conditions: working a second job, working more hours than a student visa allows, or starting with a different employer before a Job Change is approved. If anything about your job or study doesn't match your visa, a licensed adviser can fix it before it becomes a problem for your next visa.
Your rights at work
- You have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealanders: a written employment agreement, at least the minimum wage, breaks, holidays and leave.
- Your employer can't charge you for your job or deduct recruitment costs.
- If you're being exploited, contact Employment New Zealand (0800 200 088). Reporting won't affect your visa. See Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa.
- KiwiSaver is generally for citizens and residents; most temporary visa holders can't join.
Support
- AEWV employers must give you settlement information in your first month.
- Citizens Advice Bureaux, community law centres and local migrant centres help for free. See settlement support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when I arrive in New Zealand?
Get your IRD number (ideally before you fly), open a bank account and read your visa conditions.
Can I use my overseas driver licence in New Zealand?
Yes, for 12 months from arrival. Then you need a New Zealand licence.
Am I eligible for free healthcare on a work visa?
If your work visa lets you stay 2 years or more, yes. Otherwise, you need insurance.
Can I join KiwiSaver on a work visa?
Generally no. KiwiSaver is for citizens and residents.
Are state schools free for my children?
For eligible children, yes, though schools ask for voluntary donations and activity costs.
Getting help
Most of this you can do yourself in a few weeks. A licensed immigration adviser helps if your job, study or family situation doesn't match your visa, or you're planning your next visa. If you're being exploited or your visa is at risk, talk to an adviser or immigration lawyer.
Tell us your situation and we'll introduce you to a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer. It's free to ask.
Sources: Inland Revenue (IRD numbers), Te Whatu Ora and Ministry of Health (eligibility), Tenancy Services (bonds), NZ Transport Agency (overseas licences), Ministry of Education (ECE and school zones), Employment New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand ("Your rights as a worker from overseas"); read 28–29 October 2026.