Moving to the UK from New Zealand: Full Guide
If you’re craving a change, looking for an adventure in a new country, or plan to study or work abroad, you might be thinking about moving to the UK. New Zealand has close ties with the UK, which makes it an attractive destination with many different ways to apply for a UK visa for New Zealand citizens. This guide explores popular options for moving to the UK, and the UK entry requirements for New Zealand citizens so you can decide how to relocate.
As part of planning your big move, you might also want to take a look at Wise as a convenient app for your journey to migrating from New Zealand to the UK, allowing you to save on the cost of international money transfers and currency conversion from NZD to GBP. More on that later.
UK Visa for New Zealand Citizens
The most important starting point for your relocation plan will be in choosing the right UK Visa for New Zealand Citizens based on your intentions and aspirations. There are many different options for a long term visa in the UK, although all come with eligibility rules and requirements which you’ll need to meet before you can apply. Let’s take a look.
This guide is for information only. Immigration processes can be complex – get personal advice from a professional if you need support in choosing and applying for the best visa to emigrate to the UK from New Zealand.
UK visa types
There are lots of different UK visas for New Zealand citizens, which may apply depending on your reasons for moving and what you intend to do when you arrive. Generally the most popular visas for long term or permanent moves to the UK can be broken down into:
- Work visas
- Study visas
- Family visas
Within each category there are many different subcategories to meet the needs of different applicants. There are also other UK visa types for more uncommon scenarios, like professional sportspeople traveling to compete.
To give an idea of the type of visas for the UK which may suit your needs, we’ve got an overview of some to consider here – bear in mind that there are more options out there. The UK government has a helpful tool which lets you check if you need a UK visa, and then explore the options available to you, which can also be handy.
Here’s an overview of some common UK visa options for New Zealand citizens:
| UK Visa type | Example UK Visa names | Visa aimed at: |
|---|---|---|
| Work visas which require a job offer |
|
Professionals who have been offered an eligible job already, usually in shortage or specialist areas |
| Work visas which do not require a job offer |
|
Global talent candidates at all stages of career, who can find a job in the UK based on their qualifications |
| Work visas to transfer to the UK with an overseas employer |
|
People transferring to the UK with their existing New Zealand employer |
| Temporary work visas |
|
Short term work, often with a job offer in hand already, and usually in niche or shortage areas |
| Work visas to start a business |
|
Investors and entrepreneurs |
| Study visas |
|
Children from 4 years old studying in a private UK school, and higher education students of all ages |
| Family visas |
|
New Zealand citizens with relatives in the UK who want to be reunited or need to come to the UK for compassionate and care reasons |
*Details correct at time of research – 11th June 2025
UK entry requirements for New Zealand citizens
As you may expect, the UK entry requirements for New Zealand citizens depend on the visa you’re applying for. There are basic requirements for all applicants, such as having a valid passport and giving biometric data – and then each visa class has its own rules. You’ll need to review the details carefully based on the visa you intend to apply for, but some important factors for common visas include:
Work visas:
The terms of work visas do vary a bit. To give an example, to apply as a skilled worker –
- You must have a job offer from a government approved employer
- You must be paid above a minimum threshold which varies depending on the position
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English
Study visas:
- You must have an unconditional offer of a place at an eligible institution
- You must have enough money to live in the UK and pay for your course
- You must have the consent of your parent or legal guardian if you’re under 18
Family visas:
- You must prove the relationship to the individual you are applying to join or care for
- You may need to prove your knowledge of English – some exemptions apply here
- You must have enough money to live in the UK
- You may be asked to give information about other countries you’ve lived in, and your friends and relations there
Process of getting UK Visa
The process to apply for a UK visa may vary depending on the specific visa type you need. In many cases you’ll complete some of the application digitally, but you will also need to give biometric data like your fingerprints in person, and also attend an interview. You can get all the information you need on the UK government’s immigration pages:
To give a feel for the process of getting a UK visa from New Zealand, here are the steps you will take to apply for a skilled worker visa from New Zealand:
- Secure a job offer with an eligible employer
- Start your visa application online on the UK government immigration pages
- You’ll be asked to either scan your passport or attend a biometric appointment depending on your situation
- Follow the online application process to complete your information and upload the required documents
- You may need to attend an interview or submit additional documents – if this is the case you’ll be notified
- Some applications can be processed in about 3 weeks, but it might take longer if you’re asked for additional details or paperwork
Moving to the UK checklist
While moving countries is exciting, it’s also a lot of organisation. Each move is unique so you’ll need to invest time in planning to ensure you have all your bases covered. To help we’ve got a few pointers of things which most people need to complete to ensure their move to the UK from New Zealand runs as smoothly as possible.
To make planning easier we’ve split out the most important tasks for most moves into things which apply before you relocate, and the jobs which you’ll need to manage on arrival. Let’s look at the things you need to manage well in advance of your move first:
- Research the UK visas which may be suitable for you, based on your plans
- Choose where you would like to live – this may be dictated by where you will work or study
- Firm up your travel and accommodation arrangements – you may want to book temporary accommodation for your arrival and then find something permanent once you settle in
- Research and book shipping and moving providers if you intend to ship your household goods
- If you’re traveling with family or pets, make sure to plan for them too – you may need to find school places or childcare, or arrange vaccinations for your pet for example
- Check you’re up to date with any medical appointments, vaccinations or dental checkups so you don’t have to worry about this immediately on arrival
Before You Leave New Zealand
Once the move is closer, you’ll need to close down last minute things in New Zealand, which can include:
- Sell or store items you’re not shipping and coordinate the final stages of your pack up with the movers
- Close bank accounts or cards which you won’t need to avoid unnecessary fees
- Open an account you can use to manage GBP from New Zealand – like the Wise account which offers dozens of currencies for holding and exchange, including NZD and GBP
- Disconnect utilities and pay final bills
- Cancel ongoing payments like subscriptions to streaming services
- Make sure you have all the paperwork you need such as your qualification certificates, or your children’s school records
- If you take medication regularly check you have enough supplies to tide you over and ensure it’s legal in the UK
Upon Arrival in the UK
Once you arrive in the UK there are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure you settle in as quickly as possible. Some common requirements include:
- Register for tax with HMRC – you will need a National Insurance number for many things in the UK, and you will also be issued with a tax reference number
- Register with NHS services locally to you – you’ll need to find a GP and a dentist who have available slots and complete either registration process
- If you’ll take trips to Europe apply for a Global Health Insurance Card to benefit from some health care support when you’re abroad
- Open a UK bank account, or a multi-currency account if you’d prefer to manage your money across currencies, if you’ve not already done so
- Get to know your new neighbourhood and country!
How much does it cost to move to England from New Zealand
The cost to move to England from New Zealand, or to move to Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales for that matter, can vary hugely. Naturally heading to the UK with a backpack will cost less than shipping your entire household goods. You’ll need to research moving companies early on if you want to relocate all your personal items – shipping times can be pretty long, so plan well ahead and compare quotes before you decide which to select.
Once you have moved, there are also differences in the costs of living in the UK compared to New Zealand. Make sure your budget is realistic, so you can make the most of your time in your new country.
Cost of Living in the UK
Overall, life in the UK can seem more costly than living in New Zealand. According to Numbeo which aggregates cost of living information from around the world, the cost of living in the United Kingdom is 8.1% higher vs New Zealand for daily spending.
Unfortunately if you intend to rent a place in the UK, this is far more expensive compared to at home – rent in the United Kingdom is on average a huge 26.9% higher than New Zealand.
This means that when you look at both daily spending and rent, the cost of living in the United Kingdom is 12.8% higher vs New Zealand.
To give an idea, at the time of writing, average UK costs for some core day to day spending include:
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant – 33.52 NZD
- A 3 course meal for 2 People, at a mid-range restaurant – 145.24 NZD
- McMeal at McDonalds – 16.76 NZD
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) – 11.17 NZD
- Cappuccino – 7.62 NZD
- Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) – 3.97 NZD
- Water (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.82 NZD
The data on Numbeo changes all the time as new information is added – check out the range of details before you travel so you can get the most up to date information.
Learn more about the costs of living in the UK here.
Pros and Cons for Cost of Living in the UK
| Cost of Living in the UK pros | Cost of Living in the UK cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ You may be able to access higher paid jobs in a larger employment market ✅ Healthcare is free at point of use with the NHS ✅ Schooling is usually free in state institutions ✅ Costs vary enormously by region and city so you can decide where to live based on your budget |
❌ Rent is very expensive due to shortages of supply in many places ❌ Tax is high, particularly for higher earners ❌ Day to day life is more expensive on average than in New Zealand |
Open a UK bank account as an New Zealand Expat
One of the things you’ll need to do when you arrive in the UK is sort out your money. There are plenty of banks to choose from – the ‘Big 4’ names to watch out for are:
- HSBC
- Barclays
- Lloyds Banking Group
- NatWest Group
All of these banks have options for everyday accounts – known as current accounts – and savings products, as well as credit, loans and mortgages. You can shop around to decide which might suit you best, taking into account the locations of bank branches and ATMs close to your home and work.
Once you’ve decided which bank to pick you can learn all about how to open a bank account in the UK here.
Moving to the UK from New Zealand? Check out Wise
If you want a way to manage your money in NZD and GBP side by side, which you can open before you relocate, Wise can help.
Wise has international accounts and cards to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and send, receive and spend in select currencies all over the world. You can add money to your account in NZD before you leave and then convert to GBP for spending in the UK with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.23%. Plus you can get your Wise card to spend and withdraw conveniently in the UK, New Zealand and 150+ other countries.
You’ll usually struggle to open a UK bank account before you physically relocate – but with Wise you can get everything set up before you move. Use your account to send payments to the UK as you need to, or to spend on arrival – and you can receive payments in GBP with local account details for free, or with SWIFT details for a small fee. That makes Wise a great partner for your move, allowing you to hit the ground running when you land in the UK.
Healthcare in UK
One of the things you’ll likely be prompted to do when you apply for a visa for the UK is to pay the UK’s healthcare surcharge. This fee allows you to access NHS treatment as soon as your visa is approved, making many appointments and emergency care free in government run hospitals.
There are still a few fees involved with health in the UK – for some prescriptions and dental appointments for example. But having access to NHS care brings down the costs overall significantly.
Housing: Renting vs. Buying
You’ll need to decide how to arrange your accommodation prior to moving to the UK. Many people choose to take temporary accommodation initially to allow them to explore the area they live in before committing. Then the question is whether to rent or buy.
As we’ve seen, rent in the UK is more expensive compared to New Zealand. However, if you’re not sure how long you will stay in the UK, or you’re not sure you want to be in the same location for long, renting might still be a smart option.
UK house prices – and rents – vary enormously based on location. In the major cities like London and Birmingham the rents can be higher, and the costs of buying rise too. In smaller towns and in the north of the UK, costs tend to come down. If you’re flexible on location, this gives quite a bit of room to find a place in your budget whether you want to rent or buy property.
Moving to UK from New Zealand: Summary
Moving to the UK from New Zealand is an exciting prospect – but it’s also a lot of work and organisation. To make sure everything goes smoothly you’ll need to invest time in planning, and work through the steps needed quite methodically. This guide gives you some good ideas to start your research – and there’s also professional help and support out there through agents and moving companies for example.
While you’re thinking about your move to the UK don’t forget to also check out Wise as a smart way to manage your money in GBP and NZD side by side, before, during and after your relocation.**
