New collection agent for visa applications
VFS Global Services (VFS) has been appointed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) as a collection agent for visa applications with effect from 12 August in Shanghai and from 17 October 2011 for Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
VFS has established Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. The VACs will take in applications, passports, fees and all other related documents on behalf of INZ, for all applicants both in person and by mail.
All applications for visas in Diplomatic and Official passports should continue to be submitted directly to the INZ Branches in China.
If you lodged your temporary visa application before 17 October 2011, and you requested to pick up your passport, please visit the VAC to collect your passport after this date. Residence visa applicants who lodged their applications before 17 October 2011 should continue to deal directly with the appropriate INZ branch, and not through the VAC.
The VACs will provide additional services for applicants such as photocopying and a photo booth for passport photos. There will also be a priority service for ADS agents and longer opening hours for the submission of applications.
Please note that all applications will continue to be assessed and decided by immigration officers at the INZ branches in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in accordance with certified New Zealand Immigration Instructions.
Staff members of New Zealand VACs in China and Hong Kong will provide facilitation services only. Although they will provide information about submitting an application for a visa, they cannot provide immigration advice and have no influence on the outcome of an application for a visa for New Zealand.
From 12 August 2011, all applications from people resident in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangsu and Jiangxi should be lodged, either in person or by mail, at:
New Zealand Visa Application Centre2/F, Guangdong Development Bank Tower, No. 555 Xujiahui Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
From 17 October 2011, applications from people resident in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan should be lodged, either in person or by mail, at:
New Zealand Visa Application Centre Room 905, 9/F, Middle Tower, Times Square Building, Tianhe North Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510620.
Please note however that applications from residents of these provinces under some particular immigration categories should be sent directly to the Beijing or Shanghai VACs. Please see our office and fees finder on the Immigration New Zealand website for more information.
From 17 October 2011 all applications from people resident in other regions of China (Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang) should be lodged, either in person or by mail, at:
New Zealand Visa Application CentreRoom J,K,L, 8/F, Oriental Kenzo Plaza, No.48 Dongzhimenwai Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing –100027.
The VACs in China will be open from 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday and will follow the holiday schedule of the INZ China branches.
Applicants will be required to pay Facilitation fees for the facilitation of visa application lodgement at the Visa Application Centres as follows.
220 CNY per application200 CNY per applicant for Group Visas lodged by ADS agents220 CNY per applicant for Group Visas NOT lodged by ADS agents
Applicants who wish to have their passports returned to them by courier from the Beijing and Shanghai Visa Application Centres rather than by collection from the Visa Application Centres must pay a 50 CNY per passport courier fee.
All applicants submitting their applications at the Guangzhou Visa Application Centre must pay a courier fee of 100 CNY per application unless they (or their agents) opt to collect passports from the Hong Kong Visa Application Centre.
From 17 October 2011 all applications from people resident in Hong Kong and Macau must be lodged, either in person or by mail, at:
New Zealand Visa Application Centre14A, Neich Tower, 128 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Applicants will be required to pay Facilitation fees for the facilitation of visa application lodgement at the New Zealand Visa Application Centre in Hong Kong as follows:
264 HKD per application240 HKD per applicant for Group Visas lodged by ADS agents264 HKD per applicant for Group Visas NOT lodged by ADS agents
Applicants in Hong Kong who wish to have their passports returned to them by courier rather than by collection from the Visa Application Centre must pay a 60 HKD courier fee.
Applicants in Macau who wish to have their passports returned to them by courier rather than by collection from the Visa Application Centre must pay a 100 HKD courier fee (if the application is for a single applicant) and 150 HKD if the application includes more than one applicant.
Application and Facilitation fees can be paid in cash (if submitting the application in person) or by bank transfer (if submitting the application by mail).
For more information on the process of submitting visa applications at the Visa Application Centres please go to the Visa Application Centre website at: www.newzealandvisachina.com.
