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Guide

Oceania and Pacific Residence Options

What could support your stay in the Pacific?

A longer stay in Oceania and the Pacific may be possible through work, study, family, or independent financial support. Some nationality-based arrangements offer another starting point. Each destination sets its own conditions.

About this guide

Making a home in the Pacific starts with how you expect to spend your days there. Taking a local job, studying, joining family, and living from independent income lead to different residence choices.

This guide compares selected options across Oceania and Pacific island destinations. Use the tables to explore routes that fit your plans, then read the regional report for a fuller picture of the move. If investment is your starting point, the separate investment and citizenship guide brings those choices together.

Pathways compared 38
Countries covered 18

Employer-supported work
PNG Working Resident Visa Employment Residency An employer in Papua New Guinea can sponsor a foreign employee for a Working Resident Employment Visa. Yes Six months to three years in the published category; actual grant controls ICA’s current guide describes multiple-entry working residence from six months to three years. Check the dates and conditions on the actual approval.
Solomon Islands Work Visa Employment Residency A Solomon Islands employer can support a working resident visa for a foreign employee with the required labor approval. Yes Published term: two years; subject to the supporting approvals The published visa term is two years with multiple entries, subject to the supporting work permission and actual grant.
Samoa Employment Residence Employment Residency An employer in Samoa can support temporary residence for a qualifying foreign employee. Yes As stated in the approved permit The approved permit allows the stated employment and temporary stay for the period granted.
Tonga Employment Visa Employment Residency A qualifying job and employer support can provide the basis for a Tonga employment visa. Yes As approved; no universal term assumed The visa permits the approved employment and stay for the dates granted. Renewal requires updated evidence.
Vanuatu Employment Visa Employment Residency Vanuatu’s Employment Visa covers sponsored skilled work lasting more than two months. Yes 12 months, multiple entry The published Employment Visa lasts 12 months and allows multiple entries. A spouse or children may be included subject to their requirements.
Cook Islands Worker Permit Employment Residency The Cook Islands International Worker category covers an eligible job offered by a registered local employer. Yes As granted; check current permit-history and offshore-break rules The visa and permit support the approved job and stay for the granted period. The published criteria describe permit and offshore-break limits; confirm their application to your employment history.
French Polynesia Work Permit Employment Residency A local employer can support a foreign worker’s work authorization in French Polynesia, alongside the required entry and residence permission. Yes Limited by the work authorization and applicable residence document The combination of approvals permits the stated job and stay for the dates granted. Read both the labor authorization and immigration document.
New Caledonia Work Permit Employment Residency A local employer can support a foreign worker’s work authorization in New Caledonia, alongside the required entry and residence permission. Yes Limited by the work authorization and applicable residence document The combination of approvals permits the stated job and stay for the dates granted. Read both the labor authorization and immigration document.
Kiribati Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Kiribati, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support As granted; confirm the term and renewal requirements Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Tuvalu Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Tuvalu, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support Up to one year; extensions are restricted under the regulations Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Pitcairn Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Pitcairn, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support Six months; an extension of up to six months can be requested Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Niue Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Niue, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support Until departure or the stated permit expiry, whichever comes first Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Tokelau Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Tokelau, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support For the period explicitly authorized for the assignment Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.

No pathways match that filter.

Religious work in New Zealand
New Zealand Religious Worker Work Visa Religion Residency People with a qualifying religious-work offer, an eligible charity sponsor, and 2 years of relevant training or experience Yes religious duties; paid, stipend-supported, or unpaid Up to 2 years Temporary permission for the approved religious role, sponsor, and location; study up to 3 months in any 12-month period Resident visa may follow 3 qualifying work-visa years; permanent residence requires a later application after 5 resident years and removal of conditions

No pathways match that filter.

Higher-education study
PNG Student Visa Study Residency Yes for an eligible higher-education course Accepted financial support for study and living costs As granted for the course and applicant circumstances The current ICA guide directs student applicants to a paper application. The approved period depends on the course and individual circumstances.
Solomon Islands Student Visa Study Residency Yes for an eligible higher-education course Accepted financial support for study and living costs Up to two years; continuing study requires a new application The published category allows up to two years and multiple entries. Continuing study needs a new application; do not assume automatic extension. Long-term applications currently use paper submission.
Samoa Student Residence Study Residency Yes for an eligible higher-education course Accepted financial support for study and living costs As stated in the approved permit Prepare the admission, financial support, and required personal documents. Obtain the entry permit before traveling.
Vanuatu Student Visa Study Residency Yes for an eligible higher-education course Accepted financial support for study and living costs Up to one year; new application each year for a longer course Student permission lasts up to one year. A longer course needs a new application each year. Paid employment or commercial activity is prohibited unless required as part of the course.
Kiribati Student Residence Study Residency Admission and current enrollment at a qualifying institution Supply admission or enrollment and evidence of tuition and living support. Include accepted accommodation and sponsorship documents where applicable. As granted for the course; renew when required Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Tuvalu Student Residence Study Residency Admission and current enrollment at a qualifying institution Provide admission or enrollment, course details, and adequate financial support or accepted sponsorship. Confirm accommodation and departure arrangements. Up to one year; further permission is needed before expiry Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Niue Student Residence Study Residency Admission and current enrollment at a qualifying institution Document the accepted course, your genuine study purpose, and the financial or sponsorship arrangements required by Niue Immigration. Merely enrolling in a course delivered abroad does not establish a Niue study basis. Until departure or the stated permit expiry, whichever comes first Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.

No pathways match that filter.

Joining a qualifying family member
NZ Worker Partner Work Visa Family Residency The partner of an eligible worker can apply for a New Zealand work visa based on a genuine relationship and the principal’s qualifying status. Usually the same period as the supporting partner’s visa The visa usually runs for the same period as the supporting partner’s visa and allows work under the issued conditions. A job offer is not required. Current open-work conditions allow self-employment but prohibit employing other people directly or indirectly.
NZ Student Partner Work Visa Family Residency The partner of an eligible student can apply for a New Zealand work visa based on a genuine relationship and the principal’s qualifying status. Usually the same period as the supporting partner’s visa The visa usually runs for the same period as the supporting partner’s visa and allows work under the issued conditions. A job offer is not required. Current open-work conditions allow self-employment but prohibit employing other people directly or indirectly.
PNG Citizen Dependent Residence Family Residency A qualifying dependent of a Papua New Guinea citizen can apply for temporary, nonworking residence. Normally five years; individual grant may differ The published category normally provides multiple-entry temporary permission for five years, subject to the individual decision.
PNG Worker Family Permission Family Residency A spouse or qualifying dependent child can apply to join a foreign worker holding the appropriate Papua New Guinea entry permit. Linked to the principal’s permit Approval allows dependent stay alongside the qualifying worker. The principal’s permit ending also ends the dependent basis.
Solomon Islands Family Visa Family Residency A spouse or qualifying child may apply to accompany a foreign resident in Solomon Islands. Linked to the principal’s visa Approval supports family stay for the period linked to the principal’s visa.
Tuvalu Spouse Residence Family Residency Tuvalu’s Permit to Enter and Reside can cover family reunion or accompanying a qualifying resident spouse. Up to one year; extensions require approval Residence as an approved family member for the permit period.
Pitcairn Family Settlement Visa Family Residency Pitcairn’s two-year settlement visa allows people with a close family member lawfully living on the island to seek approval to settle permanently. Two-year settlement visa A two-year settlement visa if approved. Permanent residence requires a later application and its own residence and absence conditions.

No pathways match that filter.

Nonworking financial support
Tonga Assured Income Visa Passive Income Residency Tonga’s assured-income visa is for financially supported retirees with a regular overseas pension or fund income. Two years or more, as approved Temporary nonworking stay based on assured overseas income
Fiji Residence on Assured Income Passive Income Residency Fiji’s assured-income residence permit is for applicants age 45 or older who can support themselves from offshore assets or income. Six months first; remaining two and a half years after funding evidence Temporary nonworking residence subject to financial and permit conditions
French Polynesia Visitor Residence Passive Income Residency A financially supported nonworking stay in French Polynesia may qualify for a temporary residence card marked Visiteur. Temporary card for the approved period Temporary residence without professional activity
New Caledonia Visitor Residence Passive Income Residency A financially supported nonworking stay in New Caledonia may qualify for a temporary residence card marked Visiteur. Temporary card for the approved period Temporary residence without professional activity
Pitcairn Seasonal Residence Passive Income Residency Pitcairn offers a five-year seasonal visa for people planning stays of up to six months in any 12-month period. Five-year visa; up to six months in any 12-month period A visa valid for five years allowing stays of no more than six months in any 12-month period, subject to entry and visa conditions.

No pathways match that filter.

U.S. Compact-based residence
Micronesia U.S. Compact Residence Bilateral Residency U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Federated States of Micronesia. Compact-based stay; confirm local admission and residence formalities Basis for residence and lawful occupations under the Compact
Marshall Islands U.S. Compact Residence Bilateral Residency U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Marshall Islands. Compact-based stay; confirm local admission and residence formalities Basis for residence and lawful occupations under the Compact
Palau U.S. Compact Residence Bilateral Residency U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Palau. Compact-based stay; confirm local admission and residence formalities Basis for residence and lawful occupations under the Compact

No pathways match that filter.

Pitcairn settlement and later permanent residence
Pitcairn Skills Settlement Visa Skills Residency Pitcairn’s two-year settlement visa allows people whose skills can contribute to the island community to seek approval to settle permanently. Two-year settlement visa A two-year settlement visa if approved. Permanent residence requires a later application and its own residence and absence conditions.
Pitcairn Permanent Residence Long Term Residence Residency People who have lawfully lived on Pitcairn for more than two years can seek permanent residence, subject to absence and public-interest requirements. Indefinite after approval Indefinite residence and work in Pitcairn once permanent residence is granted.

No pathways match that filter.