New Zealand Visitor Visa

In order to apply for a visitor’s visa or a limited purpose visa to New Zealand, you will have to provide the following:

  • A completely filled out and signed New Zealand Visiting application (NZIS 1017) along with a recent passport size photograph.

  • Your financial support evidence while in New Zealand which include:

  • NZ $1000 per month for each person or

  • NZ $400 per month for each person if you have an already paid accommodation ( you will have to show evidence of the prepayment).

  • The evidence of funds may be in the form of bank statement, traveller’s cheque, letter of credit or bank draft. Cash and credit cards may also be accepted.

  • On the other hand, if you do not have the funds, you will need to have the guarantee of a sponsor living in New Zealand who will fund your maintenance and accommodation during your stay. The sponsor must complete the Sponsorship form (NZIS 1025) for you.

You may also be required to provide the following while filing for the visitor’s visa:

  • Evidence of the onward traveling.

  • You will need a guarantee of repatriation from a citizen or resident of New Zealand who may be a friend or a relative to be your sponsor.

  • Enough funds to buy a ticket to the country you have a right to enter.

  • Any other information or document required by the immigration officer.

There may be some Special Provisions for:

  • The dependent children traveling with one parent or alone.

  • De facto partners or spouses of the citizens or residents of New Zealand.

  • Visitor who intend to marry a citizen or resident of New Zealand.

Visitors

You will have to apply for a visitor’s visa before coming to New Zealand if you don’t belong to one of the visa waiver countries. The requirements to be able to apply for the visa include:

  • Be healthy.

  • Have a decent character.

  • The purpose of your visit must be relevant.

  • A bona fide visitor traveling for specified and temporary reasons.

Your passport

You will have to give your passport along with the application which must be valid for at least three months past the date when you would leave New Zealand. The passport may have a validity of one month past the date when you would leave New Zealand if the government who issued your passport has a consular representation in New Zealand.

Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand

You will also have to provide the proof that your intention is to leave New Zealand before the visa expires which include:

  • Confirmed return tickets out of New Zealand.

  • Written confirmation from your travel agency or the airline that you have booked and paid for your onward journey.

  • Along with other non-refundable arrangements of travel made at your own risk.

Proof of funds

You will also be required to show your financial documents as a proof that you have enough funds to make the journey and your stay in New Zealand. You would need:

  • NZ $1000 per month for each person or

  • NZ $400 per month for each person if you have an already paid accommodation ( you will have to show evidence of the prepayment).

  • The evidence of funds may be in the form of bank statement, traveller’s cheque, letter of credit or bank draft. Cash and credit cards may also be accepted.

  • On the other hand, if you do not have the funds, you will need to have the guarantee of a sponsor living in New Zealand who will fund your maintenance and accommodation during your stay. The sponsor must complete the Sponsorship form (NZIS 1025) for you.

Who cannot get a visa?

  • Anyone who doesn’t meet the requirements mentioned above.

  • A person with any criminal record as the Section 15 & 16 of the Immigration Act 2009 explain why such a person is disqualified.

  • Your visa will be denied if you submit an incomplete application or include any false information in the application.

How long can I stay?

The maximum stay allowed under a visitor visa is 9 months in a total period of 18 months.

Visa-waiver visitors

If you belong to a visa-waiver country, you can simply apply for your visa once you arrive by only filling out the arrival card. However, you still need to fulfil the health and character requirements which are standard. This needs to be done with a declaration on your arrival card.

  • You are allowed to stay in the country for three months (six months in case of the UK) on each of your visit, but not more than six months in a total period of 12 months.

  • You will have to contact the authorities in case you need to extend your stay than the visa allows.

What about my family?

Your application can cover your spouse and dependent children who are under 19. Children above 19 will have to apply for a separate visa.

Dependent children of Essential Skills work visa holders

Visitor visa application for the dependent children of a visa holder under the ‘Essential skills work visa’ will need to show that the parent meets the minimum income requirement.

Special visitor categories:

The requirements for this category differ for different visitors. Some may be granted a limited visa while others may need to pay a bond.

Medical insurance

It is highly recommended that you get a comprehensive medical insurance for the period of your stay. In case of UK or Australia, you will receive the medical coverage like a citizen nonetheless.

During your stay:

  • You can’t work during your stay unless you get a work visa.

  • You aren’t allowed to study over three months unless you are on a student visa.

  • You will be required to abide by the laws of the country.

  • You are allowed to stay in the country for the time allowed on your visa.

  • You will be liable to deportation in case you breach any of the above.

Transit

While traveling to another country if you have a stop in New Zealand, then you don’t need to have the visitor visa. Particularly if the stay is lesser than 24 hours in the transit area of the airport than you wouldn’t need any visa.

Also, you wouldn’t need a transit visa if:

  • You belong to a nation who has waived the visa.

  • Australia happens to be your next admissible destination.

  • You are the native of one of the following countries who have spared the requirement of a transit visa:

  • Bahamas

  • Bermuda

  • Bolivia

  • Colombia

  • Costa Rica

  • Ecuador

  • Federated

  • States of Micronesia

  • Indonesia

  • Kiribati

  • Nauru

  • Palau

  • Panama

  • Papua

  • New Guinea

  • Paraguay

  • Peru

  • Philippines

  • Republic of Marshall Islands

  • Samoa

  • Solomon Islands

  • Thailand

  • Tonga

  • Tuvalu

  • Vanuatu

  • Venezuela

Applying for a transit visa

If you need to stay for a single day in New Zealand, you will need a transit visa for this 24-hr stay in the country. This visa will cover your spouse as well as children who are under nineteen. However, children who are above nineteen will have to apply for their own transit visa.