General questions
Visitor's visa
Student visa
Work visa
General residence
Returning resident's visa
General questions
Where is Singapore branch located?
Our office is located at 391 A Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A, #15-05, Singapore 238 873. The nearest MRT (train) station is Orchard MRT.
What are your opening hours?
See our opening hours page.
I am a New Zealand citizen and I need to apply for a passport/extend my New Zealand passport. Who should I contact?
You should contact the New Zealand High Commission at 65-6235 9966 or e-mail enquiries@nz-high-com.org.sg for information.
Do I have to come in person to lodge an application with Immigration New Zealand?
No, you may authorise someone to lodge the application on your behalf or you may wish to courier your application to our office. If you are including a bank draft and original passports, we suggest you use a courier service rather than the normal postal service.
A return courier fee is payable as follows for return of original passport(s) sent to us by courier/post. Please include payment with your application.
- Malaysia SGD 20.00
- Brunei SGD 25.00
- Maldives/ Seychelles SGD 75.00.
Can I apply through your office?
Applications must be directed to the correct receiving office. Singapore office is the receiving office for the following nationalities for all types of visa application:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Brunei
- Seychelles
- Afghanistan
- Maldives.
If you are in Singapore, Malaysia or Brunei as a permanent resident, or holding long term passes for student, work / employment or social visit pass, you must present evidence of your long term immigration status in these countries to lodge your application in Singapore.
Please note if you choose to lodge your application in Singapore and are not one of the nationalities above, this office has the right to refer or forward your application to the correct receiving office.
Similarly, if you are a national of one of the countries listed above and choose to lodge your application through another office or in New Zealand, that office may forward your application back to us for processing.
My New Zealand visa is on my old passport and is still valid but the passport has expired. I now have been issued a new passport. Can I travel to New Zealand using the visa on my old passport?
No, a New Zealand visa on an expired passport is not valid for entry. You must transfer your visa to your new passport.
Simply submit your old passport with the New Zealand Visa and your new passport to our office and the correct transfer fee. Please see fees for the current application fee. No application form is required and it normally takes one working day only.
I am a tour leader guiding a tour group to New Zealand – do I need a visa?
Yes, you must apply for a work visa. You must enclose a letter from your employer confirming your employment and provide the travel details. Please see fees for the current application fee. Please refer to the questions below on work visas.
How do I pay for my application?
You can pay by bank draft (in Singapore Dollars only) made payable to Immigration New Zealand drawn on Singapore banks, or Master/Visa credit cards.
Cash payment (Singapore Dollars only) is acceptable if paid over our office counter.
Do I need to complete a new application/medical form if I make an error or mistake on the form?
No, but you must initial next to each correction made on the application/medical form.
I have a criminal conviction or I have a serious medical problem – will this affect my application?
Yes it may, all applicants have to be of good character and be of an acceptable standard of health. If you are worried about serious medical problems or a criminal record we are happy to give you advice.
Is there any priority given to applications lodged through an immigration consultant/agent?
No. All applications are processed according to the dates the applications were accepted. If you are applying on your own, you need to make sure that all documents are submitted on the outset to avoid unnecessary delays.
Visitor's visa
I am a Singapore/Malaysia/Brunei passport holder, do I need a visa to visit New Zealand for a holiday?
No, you do not need a visa to enter New Zealand as a visitor if your stay is less than 3 months. You must hold a return ticket and sufficient funds.
Please note that when you are travelling on a visitor permit in New Zealand, you are not authorised to conduct any type of employment and study or training. But you may undertake a single course of study or training that lasts no more than 3 calendar months.
If you wish to work or study in New Zealand, please apply for an appropriate work or student visa.
I hold a Malaysian/Singapore/Brunei Certificate of Identity, do I need to apply for a visa?
Yes, you need to apply for a visitor visa. Please include a letter outlining your purpose of visiting New Zealand with your application.
I am including my spouse and dependent children in my application. Do I have to pay a separate application fee?
Spouses and or dependent children under the age of 20 years who are included in the principal applicant’s form are not required to pay a separate fee.
Do I need to do a medical check up when I apply for a visa? What about Police Clearance (if you are aged 17 years and over)?
Applicants for visitor/study/work visa intending a stay of less than 6 months do not need to submit medical and police clearance.
Applicants for visitor/study/work visa intending a stay of less than 6 months do not need to submit medical and police clearance. If your intended stay is more than 6 months but less than 12 months, you would be required to submit Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) PDF which is less than 3 months old. Otherwise, a Medical & Chest X-Ray Certificate (NZIS 1007) PDF which is less then 3 months old and police certificate (less than 6 months old) are required. Find out more about police certificates from our How to Obtain a Police Certificate section.
I live in Singapore - where do I go for medical check up?
You may go to any registered doctor for your medical examination. You must use the Immigration New Zealand Medical forms. For applicants living outside Singapore, please refer to the list.
What do I need to apply for Police Certificate?
Please refer to our How to Obtain a Police Certificate section.
For Singaporeans, you may collect the explanatory letter from our office to be presented to the Singapore Police. Or you may email us at nzissingapore@dol.govt.nz with your mailing address and we will send the explanatory letter to you. The NZ High Commission cannot issue the letter.
For Malaysians, you need to apply for your Certificate of Good Conduct directly with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MMFA). Guidelines on how to apply can be accessed through the MMFA website at www.kln.gov.my (No 7, Issuance of Good Conduct Certificate).
For Indian nationals living in Singapore/Malaysia/third country, you may collect the explanatory letter from our office and apply to the Indian High Commission or Embassy. Or you may email us at nzissingapore@dol.govt.nz with your mailing address and we will send the explanatory letter to you.
Can I authorize someone to collect my passport or documents on my behalf?
Yes, the person will need to bring the passport collection slip if you applied through the counter or the letter of approval if you sent your application by mail.
How do I check what goods or items I can bring into New Zealand?
Please check with New Zealand Customs Department at www.customs.govt.nz.
Who needs a visitor's visa for New Zealand?
Passport holders of certain do not need a visa. However, people with criminal records, serious health problems or those who have been refused entry or removed from New Zealand previously should apply for visas even if they are from visa-free countries.
A three month visitor permit may be obtained on arrival in New Zealand providing a valid return ticket to the country of residence is held, with proof of sufficient funds for their stay, and a passport valid for 3 months beyond the date of departure from New Zealand.
All passport holders of the following Middle Eastern/South Asian countries require visas to enter New Zealand: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Yemen.
British citizens and British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the United Kingdom, may be granted a visitor’s permit valid for six months on arrival.
What are the visitor’s visa (Tourist & Business) requirements?
Please see our checklist for requirements.
Please see fees for the current application fee. This fee is a processing fee only and is non-refundable should the application be unsuccessful.
You may come in person or courier your application to Immigration New Zealand in Singapore at 391A Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A, #15-05, Singapore 238873.
I need to transit New Zealand - how do I apply for a visa?
If you want to find out whether you need a transit visa, you can either check from our website, email us at nzissingapore@dol.govt.nz or come personally to our office to obtain the leaflets.
To apply for a transit visa you are required to submit:
- a completed application form
- passport-sized photograph
- valid travel document
- a letter of leave from your employer/school
- details of your itinerary in New Zealand and your final destination.
Please see fees for the current application fee. This fee is a processing fee only and is non-refundable should the application be unsuccessful.
Student visa
What do I need to apply for student visa?
See our checklist of requirements.
Please see fees for the current application fee. This fee is a processing fee only and is non-refundable should the application be unsuccessful.
You may come in person or courier your application to Immigration New Zealand in Singapore at 391A Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A, #15-05, Singapore 238873.
Work visa
I want to work in New Zealand, how do I apply for a work visa?
You must have a job offer from a New Zealand company before you may lodge an application for work visa. Unless your spouse/partner is a NZ citizen or resident.
I have a job offer from a New Zealand company – do I need anything else?
You must check whether your employer has been granted “Approval In Principle” by Immigration New Zealand to hire a foreigner for the position.
You must attach a copy of the Approval In Principle letter with your application for a work visa. Please note that attaching an Approval in Principle letter does not mean that you will be approved a work visa. You must meet the requirement as outlined in the Approval in Principal letter and meet the work visa policy.
What do I need to apply for work visa?
Please see fees for the current application fee. This fee is a processing fee only and is non-refundable should the application be unsuccessful.
You may come in person or courier your application to Immigration New Zealand in Singapore at 391A Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A, #15-05, Singapore 238873.
General residence
Can I work in New Zealand after I arrive as a permanent resident?
Yes, once your passport is stamped with permanent residence, you are entitled to work, study and live in New Zealand.
Can I study in New Zealand after I arrive as a permanent resident?
Yes, but you are not allowed to apply for student allowance for the first 24 months after your first landing in New Zealand.
Where do I get certified true copies of documents?
Certified true copies should be done by a Lawyer, Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Court Official, or a Justice of the Peace in your country of residence.
Do I have to pay an application fee?
Yes, a fee is payable for all visas applications. Please see fees for the current application fee. This fee is a processing fee only and is non-refundable should the application be unsuccessful.
What must I submit with my application?
This depends on which category you are applying for. To determine the category which applies to you, you should read the Guide to Applying for Residence in New Zealand (NZIS 1002) PDF or Expression of Interest Guide (NZIS 1101) PDF.
Who can be included in my application for residence?
Your partner and children aged 16 or younger who are single and dependent on you. Children aged 17-24 years can be included if they are single and have no children of their own, and are dependent on you for financial support, whether living with you or not.
Our Family Policies may allow older children or your parents to migrate to NZ after you have settled. Please refer to the Self-Assessment Guide for Residence in New Zealand (NZIS 1003) PDF to see if they qualify.
Can any person currently in Singapore submit a residence application at the Immigration New Zealand , Singapore branch?
We accept residence applications for Family, Family Quota, and Refugee Family Quota category for all Singapore citizens, permanent residents and persons holding Singaporean employment passes.
For Skilled Migrant category, please go here.
For Business category, please apply directly to the Business Migration Branch.
How long does it take for an application to be processed?
Residence visas applications will be processed according to the Government’s priority list. This means they will be processed according to the residence category and not in date order. The normal processing time for the priority applications is at least 6 months.
For Business category, please refer to the Business Migration Branch.
If I get a residence visa, do I have to go to New Zealand immediately?
When you are approved in principle, you will be advised in writing to submit your passport(s) and other required documents within 6 months for visa endorsement. The residence visa will be valid for one year from date of issue and you and all person/people included in the application must make your first entry as permanent residents before the expiry of the single journey residence visa.
I have been approved for residence in New Zealand and have been granted Residence Visa and Returning Resident's Visa labels on my passport. What is the difference?
A Residence Visa allows you to make your first landing in New Zealand as a resident. It is valid for one year from date of issue and upon entry you will be given a residence permit stamp on your passport.
When you leave New Zealand, the residence permit will expire. You need to hold a valid Returning Resident's Visa (RRV) to re-enter New Zealand as a resident.
Your first returning residence visa starts on the date of first entry into New Zealand as a resident and is valid for two years. Find out more about RRVs.
How does one obtain New Zealand citizenship?
You need to check with the Department of Internal Affairs, whose website address is www.dia.govt.nz.
Returning Resident's Visa
I hold a permanent residence in New Zealand and I would like to leave New Zealand, what do I need to return to New Zealand as a resident?
You will need to hold a valid Returning Resident's Visa on your passport. Please apply for this before you leave New Zealand or before you re-enter New Zealand as a resident. Please note that residence permit expires when you leave New Zealand.
My Returning Resident's Visa has now expired. How do I know if I qualify for extension?
Please refer to our RRV pages to see if you will qualify for a second or subsequent Returning Resident's Visa.
How do I apply for extension?
To apply for a RRV at the end of the first two year period (excluding people who were approved residence under the investment category) the following information is required:
- a completed application form
- valid passport or travel document
- passport or travel document containing your original Returning Resident's Visa and any previous residence visa issued to you
- evidence why you would qualify for a second or subsequent Returning Resident's Visa
Please see fees for the current application fee. This fee is a processing fee only and is non-refundable should the application be unsuccessful.
You may come in person or courier your application to Immigration New Zealand in Singapore at 391A Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A, #15-05, Singapore 238873.
Thank you for your interest in New Zealand.