Some people need a visa to enter New Zealand, and some don't. If you are not from a visa-free country, you will need to apply for a visitor visa before you come to New Zealand.
Requirements
When you apply for a visitor visa, we want to know that:
Your passport
You will have to show us your passport. This must be valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand.
Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand
You will need to show us proof that you have plans and the means to leave within the period of your permit. Suitable proof may include:
- actual travel tickets (confirmed or open-dated) out of New Zealand to a country which you have the right to enter; or
- written confirmation from an airline or travel agency that onward travel has been booked and paid for.
Evidence of funds
You will also need to show us proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This means you have a minimum of:
- NZ$1000 per person per month of the visit, or
- NZ$400 per person per month if accommodation has already been paid for – we will require proof of prepayment, such as hotel prepaid vouchers.
Acceptable evidence of sufficient funds can be demonstrated in the form of:
- cash
- travellers' cheques
- bank drafts
- recognised credit cards with sufficient credit available – it is recommended that visitors have an up-to-date credit card statement.
Other acceptable evidence is a declaration by a New Zealand sponsor that they will pay for your accommodation and maintenance. See the Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand (INZ1025) PDF.
Who cannot get a visa?
As well as people who don't meet the basic requirements listed above, some people who have committed serious crimes will not be allowed into New Zealand at all. Section 7(1) of the Immigration Act outlines what disqualifies an applicant in these terms.
If your application is incomplete when you lodge it, you submit false information or you don't meet our requirements we may refuse or deny your application.
How long can I stay?
The maximum stay under a visitor visa is nine months. As visa-free conditions only last for three months (or six if you are from the United Kingdom), you will need a visa for any longer stay.
We usually only allow visitors to stay for nine months in an 18-month period. To work this out, we look at the last day that you intend to be in New Zealand (eg 1 July 2009), and count back 18 months from there (eg 1 January 2008). When you apply for a visa or permit in one of our branches, we make sure that in that 18-month period (eg 1 January 2008 – 1 July 2009) you will not be spending more than nine months in New Zealand.
Arriving at the border visa-free
If you are a visa-free visitor you apply for a permit at the border by filling in your arrival card. You will be allowed to stay for three months (or six months if from the United Kingdom) on this visit, and no more than six months in any 12-month period. So, we will look at what date your three-month visit (or six-month visit) will end (eg 1 July 2009), and count back 12 months from there (eg 1 July 2008). We then make sure that in that 12-month period (eg 1 July 2008 – 1 July 2009) you will not be spending more than six months in New Zealand.
If you decide while you are in New Zealand you wish to stay longer, you should contact us.
What about my family?
Your application can cover your partner, and any dependent children up to the age of 19. Children over 20, and non-dependants, will need to make their own application.
Special cases
There are other requirements for people who visit under one of our special visitor categories.
We may ask some applicants to pay a bond, or offer them a limited purpose visa.
Medical insurance
We recommend that you have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your visit. If you are from the United Kingdom or Australia, you will get the same immediate medical coverage as a New Zealand citizen or resident, thanks to our Reciprocal Health Agreements.
After you arrive
If you are granted a visitor’s permit you need to meet certain conditions during your stay:
- You may not work while you are in New Zealand (unless you apply for and are granted a work permit).
- You may not study for more than three months while you are in New Zealand (unless you apply for and are granted a student permit).
- You must keep within New Zealand’s laws.
- You must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your permit.
If you break any of these conditions we may require you to leave the country immediately.
How to apply
Once you are familiar with our rules and requirements, you can begin the process of applying.
I'm accepted
Got your visa or permit? Here are some things you might like to know.