The Pretoria branch employs ten staff and operates out of the New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria. We have been operating as an Immigration New Zealand branch since 1 July 2010. Our most experienced staff member has been processing applications for more than 12 years. Our immigration officers speak English, Tswana and Afrikaans.

Each year we process more than 1,600 applications made up of applications for: visitor, work, student, limited purpose, and transit visas.

South Africa is a visa-free country which means that travellers from South Africa do not require a visitor visa to enter New Zealand. Travellers from South Africa who hold a South African passport can enter New Zealand without a visitor visa and may be granted a visitor visa for up to three months if the traveller:

• has a passport valid for at least three months beyond the end of the intended stay
• holds onward passage (a flight out of New Zealand to a country to which they have the right of entry), and
• provides evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay.

Travellers from countries without visa-waiver status will need a visa to enter New Zealand.

Immigration advisers/agents

If you decide to use an immigration adviser to act on your behalf, they must be licensed. You can find a list of licensed advisers on the Immigration Advisers Authority website.

Note: Lawyers provide immigration advice and are exempt from licensing under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. For more information, and to view the register of immigration lawyers, see the New Zealand Law Society website.