Your first 90 days in New Zealand, made simpler

What's in the checklist

The checklist is designed to help you turn your first three months in New Zealand into clear, manageable steps. It focuses on the practical things many new arrivals need to organise, rather than trying to explain every possible visa rule or personal situation.

Inside, you will find prompts for common settlement tasks such as:

- **Identity and documents** — keeping your passport, visa conditions, birth certificates, marriage certificates, translations, qualifications and certified copies in one place. - **IRD number and tax basics** — applying for an IRD number, understanding that your tax number is needed for work and many financial matters, and knowing when to ask for help. - **Banking and payments** — opening or activating a New Zealand bank account, setting up online banking, and preparing proof of address if requested. - **Phone, internet and housing admin** — connecting mobile service, internet, power and other utilities, and storing tenancy or property documents safely. - **Healthcare** — finding a GP or medical centre, understanding emergency care, and keeping medical records, prescriptions and vaccination records handy. - **Children and school** — researching local schools or early childhood education, preparing enrolment documents, and checking term dates. - **Driving and transport** — checking how your overseas licence can be used, when conversion may be needed, and how to access public transport in your area. - **Employment setup** — preparing right-to-work evidence, bank details, tax details and employment documents for your employer.

The checklist also links naturally with our broader [settling in New Zealand guide](/settling-in-new-zealand/) and our [New Zealand immigration document checklist](/nz-immigration-document-checklist/) if you want a more complete view of documents to prepare for future visa steps.

Who it's for

This tool is for people who have recently arrived in New Zealand, are about to arrive, or are helping family members settle in. It can be useful whether you are coming for work, study, partnership, family reasons or as part of a longer-term plan to make New Zealand your new home.

It is especially helpful if you are:

- arriving from offshore and want to know what to do first; - already in New Zealand but still working through basic setup; - supporting a partner, parent or dependent child after arrival; - moving from a temporary visa to a longer-term pathway and want your documents organised; - helping an employee, student or family member understand everyday settlement tasks.

The checklist is not a personalised immigration assessment. For example, it will not tell you whether you qualify for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, a Green List pathway, an Accredited Employer Work Visa, a partnership visa or any other visa. Immigration eligibility depends on current INZ rules, evidence, timing and your personal circumstances. If your settlement plans are linked to visa conditions, work rights, study rights, residence timing or family sponsorship, it is wise to speak with a licensed adviser before making major decisions.

Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. We help you understand what questions to ask and, where appropriate, connect you with IAA-licensed immigration advisers or immigration lawyers. You can explore our [services](/services/) or [contact us](/contact/) if you would like help choosing the right next step.

How to use it

Use the checklist as a planning tool, not as a strict rulebook. Every family’s arrival is different: some people already have a job and accommodation arranged, while others are still choosing a city, looking for schools, or waiting for documents from overseas. The goal is to help you prioritise what usually matters first.

A simple way to use it is:

1. **Before arrival or in week one:** gather key documents, check visa conditions, prepare contact details, confirm temporary accommodation and make a plan for banking, phone and transport. 2. **Weeks one to four:** apply for or confirm your IRD number, activate banking, set up your phone, understand local transport, register with healthcare services where possible, and start school or childcare enrolment if relevant. 3. **Months two to three:** review longer-term housing, licence conversion, employment documents, insurance, community support, and any future visa or residence planning. 4. **Ongoing:** keep digital and paper copies of important records, update addresses with relevant organisations, and note expiry dates for visas, passports, licences and insurance.

If you are planning a future visa application, document organisation matters. INZ may ask for evidence such as identity documents, police certificates, medical certificates, relationship evidence, employment documents, qualifications, translations or proof of funds depending on the visa type. Requirements change and vary by pathway, so use the checklist to stay organised, then confirm your actual application requirements with INZ or a licensed adviser.

One practical tip: create a secure digital folder with subfolders for each family member. Save scans of passports, visas, entry records, birth certificates, marriage or partnership evidence, school records, employment letters, payslips, rental agreements and bank letters. Make sure translations and certified copies meet the requirements of the organisation requesting them.

Download it free

The first-90-days checklist is free to use. You do not need to pay for it, and it is intended to make early settlement easier for new arrivals and families planning ahead.

What you can do with it:

- print it before you travel; - save it to your phone or laptop; - tick off tasks as you complete them; - share it with your partner, family or support person; - use it as a reminder list before speaking with a professional.

Because settlement tasks often overlap with immigration requirements, please treat the checklist as general information only. It does not replace official guidance from INZ, legal advice, tax advice, medical advice, school enrolment rules, driver licensing requirements or any other government process. Details can change, and different organisations may request different evidence.

If you are unsure whether a task affects your visa conditions — for example changing employers, changing study, working hours, partnership evidence, dependent children, residence timing or travel while an application is pending — do not guess. Check the current INZ instructions or speak with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer before taking action.

Yimin can help you take the next step by matching you with a licensed professional for a proper review of your situation. The matching and intro-call booking process is free through Yimin; the adviser will explain any professional fees before you choose to proceed further.

Where to go next

Once the basics are under control, your next step depends on your situation. Some people simply need time to settle, find local services and build confidence. Others need to plan carefully because their work, study, partnership or family situation affects their future visa options.

If you are still organising everyday life, start with our [settling in New Zealand guide](/settling-in-new-zealand/). It gives broader context for housing, healthcare, transport, banking, school and community life. If you are preparing for a visa application or want to avoid missing evidence, use the [New Zealand immigration document checklist](/nz-immigration-document-checklist/) alongside this settlement checklist.

If your goal is to stay longer in New Zealand, move from a temporary visa to residence, bring family members, or check whether your current pathway still makes sense, it is worth getting a proper eligibility orientation. Immigration policy changes, and small details can matter: job title, salary, employer accreditation, qualification recognition, occupational registration, English requirements, health and character issues, relationship evidence or dependent-child criteria can all affect the pathway.

Yimin is not a licensed immigration adviser and does not give personalised immigration advice. What we can do is help you understand the landscape, complete a free eligibility check, and connect you with an IAA-licensed adviser or immigration lawyer who can assess your situation against current rules. If you are ready, start with the free eligibility check or [contact us](/contact/) to book a free intro call.