Written by · Reviewed by Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver — licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP712931) · Last updated 2026-10-20

Life insurance for work visa holders in New Zealand

Yes, you can get life insurance in New Zealand on a work visa, but each insurer sets its own residency test. Momentum Life's Quick Life (ages 18 to 65) accepts a temporary work visa holder who has been in New Zealand 6 months or more. Its Funeral Insurance (40 to 75) needs 12 continuous months on a valid work visa. Underwritten insurers ask more of the visa itself.

In short

The rules side by side

These are the residency rules the insurers publish, read on 20 October 2026. An insurer decides each application, so a rule is a minimum, not an offer.

Quick Life (Momentum) Funeral Insurance (Momentum) Chubb Life, life cover Fidelity Life, lump sum cover
Ages 18 to 65 40 to 75 10 to 70 16 to 75
Work visa test Temporary work visa and in NZ for 6 months or more In NZ continuously for at least 12 months on a valid temporary work visa Visa granted for at least 24 months (or consecutive visas totalling 24), with at least 6 months left A copy of the visa showing at least 12 months remaining
Other conditions "Permanently resides" in New Zealand Resident in NZ at application No plans to live outside NZ, and none to leave in the next 5 years other than for a holiday under 3 months Arrival date, intended stay, and whether you have applied or intend to apply for residence
If you are not a citizen or permanent resident Not applicable beyond the visa test Not applicable beyond the visa test An "Expiry of Visa Exclusion" is added A residency exclusion applies

Sources: Momentum Life: Quick Life Policy Wording and Funeral Insurance Policy Wording definitions of "New Zealander"; Chubb Life Essential Underwriting Guide; Fidelity Life underwriting guide; entry ages from Chubb and Fidelity. Citizens of Australia (and, in both guides, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue) are treated as New Zealand citizens by Chubb and Fidelity if they live here full time; Momentum names New Zealand or Australian citizens.

Two details are easy to miss. Momentum's wording says a New Zealander is someone who "permanently resides in New Zealand" and holds citizenship, a permanent resident visa, or a temporary work visa and has been in New Zealand 6 months or more. The Funeral wording says "in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months on a valid temporary work visa". Neither names a resident visa held before permanent residence. Chubb's guide notes that residency visas are not permanent resident visas and usually have travel conditions. If you hold one, ask which test applies before you apply.

What a Quick Life application on a work visa looks like

Quick Life is guaranteed-acceptance life cover issued by Momentum Life Limited: $50,000 to $300,000 per person, with no health questions and no medical exam. The 3% yearly increases run until 75 or a $500,000 cap per person. Premiums step up each year until 75 and are fixed after that.

Guaranteed acceptance has a cost in the first 2 years. Quick Life does not pay for death or terminal illness linked to a pre-existing condition, or for suicide or intentional self-harm. Where a pre-existing condition causes death in the first 24 months and no claim is payable, premiums are refunded. After 2 years pre-existing conditions are covered, except some specific conditions that can be excluded permanently in the policy schedule. Always excluded are the effects of alcohol or drugs, war, terrorism, criminal activity, and a dangerous job or risky pastime as the wording defines them. If a healthy person can answer health questions, fully underwritten cover from an adviser can usually give more cover for less.

If you plan to leave, read the overseas clause. Quick Life gives worldwide cover, but you must tell Momentum if you will be outside New Zealand for more than 6 months, or working overseas for any period. If you do not tell Momentum in advance, it can decline cover while you are away or cancel the policy without refund (Quick Life wording). The wordings we read do not say what happens to a Momentum policy when a work visa expires, so ask Momentum before you rely on it.

Funeral Insurance for older work visa holders

Momentum's Funeral Insurance pays a fixed benefit of $3,000 to $30,000 towards costs and accepts New Zealanders aged 40 to 75, which includes a work visa holder with 12 continuous months here. In its first 24 months it pays only for accidental death within 90 days of the accident; for any other death in that time no benefit is paid and all premiums are refunded. Total premiums can end up larger than the benefit, and the benefit may not cover the whole funeral. It also covers you worldwide if you were a New Zealander when it was issued.

Underwritten cover and what happens when a visa ends

Chubb's guide sets out a different shape for each visa. For its life cover, a resident visa holder is at standard rates in the table we read, while a work visa or partner visa holder gets an Expiry of Visa Exclusion, and other visas are by individual consideration. The exclusion means no claim is payable where the applicant's visa has expired or not been renewed, and it ceases automatically when the person gains permanent residence or citizenship. For someone with no intention of applying for residence, Chubb's guide says cover may be offered for the intended length of stay with an "Expiry of Cover" endorsement, which ends the policy when you stop legally living in New Zealand or Australia. Chubb also asks whether you are applying, or intend to apply, for permanent residence.

The practical point: if your path is a work visa now and residence later, the exclusion is why timing matters. See life insurance for permanent residents for the next step, and insurance for new migrants and the working holiday visa guide for other stages.

What to have ready

ACC covers accident injuries for everyone in New Zealand, whatever their residency, but not illness (ACC: What we cover, ACC: Injuries we don't cover).

Advice is provided by Craig Smith Business Services Limited, trading as Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver, a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP712931). QuoteHub is a Momentum Life partner, and Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver may receive a commission if you buy through our link; see how we are paid. Momentum Life Limited's A.M. Best rating is B (Fair), affirmed 11 February 2026, and Momentum's own table puts B in its "Vulnerable" group; see its financial strength page. The buttons on this page start Momentum's online quote. Compare the products on the Quick Life page, the Funeral Cover page and the guaranteed acceptance hub.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you need to be in NZ for Quick Life on a work visa?

Momentum's wording says a temporary work visa holder must have been in New Zealand for 6 months or more, and must permanently reside here.

Can I get Momentum Funeral Insurance on a work visa?

Only if you are aged 40 to 75 and have been in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months on a valid temporary work visa.

Do I need a medical exam on a work visa?

Quick Life has none. Underwritten insurers set evidence by age and sum insured, and Chubb may accept a recent immigration medical.

References

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