New Zealand Tourist Visa

Purpose

To visit New Zealand for holidays, to see family and friends, or to study for up to 3 months. This visa does not permit working in New Zealand, except for remote work for an overseas employer.

Who needs a Visitor Visa

• People travelling on a passport from countries that are not part of New Zealand's visa waiver program.
• Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport do not need a Visitor Visa or an NZeTA.
• Citizens of visa waiver countries or territories can travel with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) instead of a visa.
• Specific exceptions exist, such as Chinese and Pacific Islands Forum country citizens travelling from Australia with an eligible Australian visa, who can use an NZeTA.

Length of stay

• Multiple-entry Visitor Visa: Allows multiple visits, with a maximum stay of 6 months in any 12-month period. To be eligible, you must have been out of New Zealand for at least 9 months in the 18-month period before applying.
• Single-entry Visitor Visa: Allows one entry and a stay of up to 9 months in an 18-month period. This may be issued if you want to stay longer than 6 months, are extending a current stay, or if a multiple-entry visa is not deemed necessary. If you leave New Zealand on a single-entry visa, it will expire.
• Visitors from the Pacific: May be eligible for a 24-month multiple-entry Visitor Visa.

Cost

From NZD $441 (subject to change).

Processing time

80% of applications are processed within 2 weeks.

Key eligibility points

• Good health: May require a chest X-ray or medical examination, especially if staying over 6 months or from a country with a non-low incidence of tuberculosis.
• Good character: May require police certificates, particularly if aged 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer.
• Genuine intentions: Must be a genuine visitor and intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
• Enough money to live on: Must have at least NZD $1,000 per month (or NZD $400 if accommodation is pre-paid), or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Ability to leave New Zealand: Must show proof of a ticket out of New Zealand or sufficient funds to purchase one.

What this visa lets you do

• Holiday in New Zealand.
• Visit family and friends.
• Study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.
• Include your partner and dependent children (aged 19 or younger) in your application.

When you arrive

• Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).
• Be prepared to show a ticket to leave New Zealand or proof of funds for one.
• Be prepared to show proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
• You can be refused entry if you are not a genuine visitor, do not meet character requirements, or have had a change in circumstances.

While in New Zealand

• Travel: If you leave New Zealand, your visa will expire unless it has a multiple-entry travel condition.
• Work: You cannot work, but you may volunteer or work remotely for an overseas employer.
• Study: You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period. School-aged children can study for up to 3 months in any calendar year.

Staying longer

If you are in New Zealand and need more time for a genuine reason, you can apply to extend your visit before your current visa expires. A new single-entry Visitor Visa may be granted for up to 9 months in an 18-month period.