Americans Retiring to NZ?

[Picareno]

We've been researching and traveling a bit to find our new home...somewhere. After a few S. American trips, we're very interested in lovely NZ. We are a healthy, active, comfortably retired couple now living in Nevada. We'll certainly visit first, but wonder what kind of immigration hoops are awaiting for US retirees? Much appreciation for those out there who've done this. Cheers!

[sks]

See http://www.dol.govt.nz/immigration/k...base/item/1090 as a start. You can buy a home here, no problem, and spend up to three months under the visa waiver program for Americans (see the INZ website for exact details) each year as a visitor. NZ does not have a retirement visa category like some of the Central American countries do (Costa Rica and Panama, from memory, maybe more by now), the cost of living is not low, and it's pretty remote, which means getting here and back isn't that cheap, either -- but you probably either know that already or will soon find out. If you retired early and could still qualify for a skilled-migrant resident visa, or have business experience plus funds to invest and are interested in a business visa, then those are two other possibilities that would permit you to stay year-round and gain access to healthcare benefits.

[JandM]

More detail on the temporary retirement category. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...ry/default.htm

[Pjiang]

you cam have look at the http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...ry/default.htm