Visa Waiver Visitor Visa
If you are from a visa waiver country you may be able to travel to New Zealand without a visa, but you must have a New Zealand Travel Authority (NZeTA) unless exempt. If given entry permission, we give you a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa when you arrive.
-
Length of Stay
Up to
3 months, or 6 months for UK citizens
-
Cost
From
NZD $0
-
Processing time
Visa granted at
New Zealand border
To apply you must:
- be travelling on a passport from a
- have enough money to pay your living expenses
- show you intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay
- not plan to work in New Zealand, unless you work remotely for a business overseas
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first
- holiday in New Zealand
- visit family and friends in New Zealand
- study for up to 3 months
- bring your partner and dependent children if they meet the requirements.
You must have a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel to New Zealand.
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
If you plan to arrive in New Zealand by cruise ship and do not have a visa, there are separate requirements, including that you must have an NZeTA.
Before you travel to New Zealand
Australian citizens and permanent residents get an Australian Resident Visa at the border.
An Australian permanent resident visa holder must still have an NZeTA before they travel.
NOTE You can enter New Zealand if you are a visa waiver traveller and hold an NZeTA (unless you are exempt).
How long you can stay
You can stay for up to 3 months.
If you are from the United Kingdom, you can stay for up to 6 months.
What you pay
You do not need to pay a fee when we give a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa on arrival in New Zealand.
You must pay a fee for your NZeTA and also for an
There is no refund of the NZeTA fee if we do not give you a visa at the border.
Who can apply
To get this visa when you arrive in New Zealand, you must:
- have an NZeTA before you travel to New Zealand, unless you are exempt
- be travelling on a passport from a
- be in good health
- be of good character
- have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand
- have enough money to pay your expenses
- show you can leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
Note
If you are applying from Australia and your only reason for coming to New Zealand is to renew a visa for another country, you should apply for a visa before travelling.
Citizenship
You must be travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country or territory.
Your passport is used to check whether you are a citizen from a visa waiver country or territory — at check-in for your trip and when you arrive in New Zealand.
Most people travelling to New Zealand need to get either a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). If you are travelling on a passport from a
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) Visitors who do not need an NZeTA You can holiday for up to 3 months, or up to 6 months if you are travelling on a UK passport. If you want to study, work or live in New Zealand, you need to get an appropriate visa. If you are coming to New Zealand for a medical consultation or treatment, you must apply for a visa. If you need an NZeTA, you must have it before you arrive in New Zealand. When you arrive at the border with your NZeTA, we give you a visitor visa on arrival — but first we will need to see your: We may also ask to see your ticket for travel out of New Zealand, and evidence you have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand. Warning If you cannot meet any of the requirements or you want to stay longer, you should apply for a visitor visa before you travel, as you may not be allowed to enter with a visa waiver, even if you have an NZeTA. If the passport issuing authority of your country has endorsed your dependent children on your passport, we will accept your endorsed passport as their travel document. When you arrive in New Zealand, your dependent children will still need to complete an NZTD and may need to show:
Visa waiver countries and territories
If you have a passport from a country or territory on the visa waiver list, you can travel to New Zealand without a visa - but you need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) first.
List of visa waiver countries and territories
Visiting New Zealand from a visa waiver country
When you need a visa
When you arrive in New Zealand
If you have dependent children endorsed on your passport
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- British National (Overseas).
You can only travel visa waiver if you are travelling on a citizen passport. You cannot travel visa waiver on a non-citizen or alien passport.
You can only travel visa waiver if you are a resident and travel on one of the following passports:
You can only travel visa waiver if you are a resident and travel on a Macao Special Administrative Region passport.
You can only travel visa waiver, if you have the right to live in Portugal permanently.
You can only travel visa waiver, if you are a permanent resident of Taiwan and travel on a Taiwan passport. We will use the personal identity number on your Taiwan passport to confirm your permanent residence.
USA nationals can also travel visa waiver.
Authority to travel
You must have an NZeTA before you travel to New Zealand.
You must travel on the passport you used to request your NZeTA. Show that passport when you check in for your trip so your airline can check that you have an NZeTA.
They may also ask to see your ticket for travel out of New Zealand at the end of your visit.
Health
You must be in good health.
When you complete your New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form to apply for permission to enter the country, you will be asked if you are coming to New Zealand for a medical consultation or treatment.
Note
If you want to come for a medical consultation or treatment, you need to apply for a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa before travelling to New Zealand.
Character
You must be of good character.
You will not meet our good character requirements if:
- you have a criminal conviction
- you have been deported, removed or excluded from another country, or
- we have reason to believe you may be a risk to New Zealand's security, public order or public interest.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
People who may be considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest, include those who are registered sex offenders or associated with a gang.
If we have reason to believe you are not of good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at check-in or refuse you
Note
If you are not sure you will meet our requirements for good character, you should apply for a visa before coming to New Zealand.
Genuine intentions
You must be a genuine visitor to New Zealand and intend to leave at the end of your visit.
You will be asked about the purpose of your trip in the NZTD.
We also consider any other information we have about your circumstances and reasons for travelling to New Zealand.
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you: We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions. Alert You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD. If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment. If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand. You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to. If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to. Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa. You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions: Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand. To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including: If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide: If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their: Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of: You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include: If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have: If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider. You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you. Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include: If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide: If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include: Depending on your situation, you may need to provide: We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application. You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application. False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas. Providing English translations of supporting documents If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format. To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at: We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it: When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at: We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have: We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.
What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
Visitor visas
Student visas
Work visas
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
Evidence of your travel history
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
Declined visa applications
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your study plans
Evidence of your work plans
Evidence you have enough money
Evidence of your home country circumstances
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
Providing good-quality evidence
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
Evidence you provide with your application
Your personal circumstances
Your previous applications
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
You cannot get this visa if you intend to work in New Zealand.
Alert
If you have not complied with the conditions of your visa on any previous visit to New Zealand, you can be stopped from travelling to New Zealand or refused entry permission when you get here.
Enough money to live on
You must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand.
You must have at least NZD $1,000 per month, or NZD $400 per month if you have already paid for your accommodation.
You may be asked for evidence when you check-in or arrive in New Zealand.
Evidence can include:
- proof of accommodation pre-payment, like hotel pre-paid vouchers or receipts
- bank statements or credit card statements
- bank drafts or traveller's cheques.
Paying for health care
You will need to pay for any health care or medical assistance you may need in New Zealand.
We recommend you have full medical insurance for your stay.
If you are pregnant, there are additional requirements.
Depending on the visa you are applying for and your nationality you may be eligible for publicly funded health care during and after your pregnancy. If you are not eligible you must cover the costs of your own maternity care — when you apply for your visa, you need to provide evidence of how you will pay. Maternity care includes looking after you: Some women can get maternity care no matter what visa they have for New Zealand. You are eligible if you: Pregnancy services — Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand Who can get public health care Note If you have a Limited Visa, you cannot get publicly funded maternity care. If you are not eligible for public health care and have a temporary visa to visit, study or work in New Zealand, you must show you have a minimum of NZD $9,000 to pay for your maternity care. You can: With your visa application, you must include evidence you have: You can include evidence such as: Your sponsor or guarantor must be able to show they: Who can sponsor a visa applicant Your sponsor or guarantor must complete a form to send in with your visa and provide evidence of how they will meet the cost of your maternity care.
If you are pregnant
If you are pregnant and apply for a temporary visa to visit, study, or work in New Zealand, you must tell us how you will pay for your maternity care while you are here.
Covering the cost of your maternity care
Who can get publicly funded maternity care
Paying for your maternity care
Evidence that you can pay for your care
If you have a sponsor or guarantor
Note
Some people may be eligible for public health care.
Who can get public health care
You cannot have a sponsor to pay for your expenses while travelling on a visa waiver in New Zealand. If you want to have
Leaving New Zealand
You must be able to show that you plan to leave the country at the end of your stay.
You will need to provide:
- your ticket for travel out of New Zealand at the end of your stay to a
, or - documents, such as bank or credit card statements, that show you have enough money to buy a ticket.
If you will be travelling on to a country that also has an onward travel requirement, you may be asked to show the ticket out of that country too.
Your departure date must be within 3 months of your arrival, or within 6 months if you are from the United Kingdom.
Note
Your onward tickets must be paid for before your travel.
If you will be leaving on a private craft or cruise ship, we will accept a letter from the craft owner or a cruise itinerary as proof of your travel arrangements.
Maximum time in New Zealand
You can only visit New Zealand for up to 6 months in any 12-month period.
We will check our records to see how much time you have spent in New Zealand. If you have already spent 6 months in New Zealand in a 12-month period, then you must apply for a visitor visa before you travel to New Zealand.
Bringing family
Your partner and dependent children must apply for their own NZeTA and meet the same requirements to travel to New Zealand with an NZeTA.
They must:
- be citizens of a visa waiver country
- be in good health
- have good characters
- have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand
- have enough money to pay their expenses
- show they intend to leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
Note
If family members do not meet these requirements they should apply for a visa before travelling to New Zealand.
Documents you need
When you request an NZeTA
When you request an NZeTA, you will need:
- your passport
- 1 acceptable photo.
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo. If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused. Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements. Alert Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only. Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms. Note You can only apply for an NZeTA online. The photo you submit with an online application must be: Alert We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size. If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera. If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera. Your photo must be: If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted. If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them. Your photo must: It may be easier to remove them.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.
Meeting our photo requirements
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Using a professional photographer
Paper applications for visas
Online applications for visas
Online requests for NZeTAs
Online photo error messages
Taking your visa photo
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
When you check in and arrive
When you check in for your flight and arrive in New Zealand, you will need to show:
- your passport
- your NZeTA confirmation email
- a ticket to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
You may also be asked for proof that you have enough money to cover your living expenses while you are in New Zealand.
Alert
You may not be allowed to check in to your flight if your passport is close to expiring.
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
How to get a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa
Follow these steps to get a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa when you arrive in New Zealand.
-
1
Step 1: Check you meet the requirements
The section 'Who can apply' explains what you need to get this visa when you arrive in New Zealand.
If you are not sure you meet the requirements, apply for a visa before you travel.
-
2
Step 2: Request an NZeTA
You must have an NZeTA before you leave for New Zealand.
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
Note
Allow 72 hours for your NZeTA request to be processed. Many requests will be processed more quickly.
-
3
Step 3: Gather your documents
Get documents translated
When you arrive, we recommend you provide:
- certified English translations of any documents that are not in English
- scanned copies of the original documents.
Note
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Providing English translations of supporting documents
Check the requirements of the visa you are applying for. Provide certified translations of your documents to avoid delays processing your application.Check the visa application requirements
Residence visa applications
All supporting documents submitted with your resident visa application must be provided in English or include an English translation.
Visitor visa applications
Visitor visa requirements are changing
From 26 May 2025, supporting document translations for visitor visa applications will no longer need to be certified.
Changes to certification requirements for translations of visitor visa supporting documentsExamples of documents that require full translation include:
- proof of funds — such as bank statements, pay records (proof of funds must be fully translated, partial translations may not be accepted)
- flight itineraries including return tickets
- proof of employment in your home country
- leave of absence documentation
- identity documents other than passports — for example, Hukou for Chinese nationals.
All other visa applications
You must provide us with full certified English translations of all medical and police certificates. This includes police certificates that record no convictions.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you should provide a translated copy, as this will help us to process your application faster.
Our requirements for translated documents
Immigration New Zealand does not translate documents on behalf of visa applicants. You must pay for certified translations.
Who can complete a certified translation
You can provide certified translations completed by:
- reputable private or official translation businesses
- community members known for their accurate translations.
We do not accept translations completed by the applicant, family members, or the immigration adviser assisting with your application.
We will accept translations from a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) who is:
- a trustworthy person within the community
- known to translate documents accurately
- not an adviser on the application.
Using the English spelling of the name in your passport
Check your passport to see if it has your name written in English. Ask your translator to use this spelling when they translate your documents.
If a translator used a different spelling of your name in your translated documents, then include this spelling of your name in the 'other names' section of the visa application form.
Include your 'other names' in the application form
We need to know if you have used other names that are in your translated documents.
For example, if:
- you have a different birth name, or name from a marriage or adoption
- you have other passports with a different name
- the translator used a different name or spelling when translating your documents into English.
In your visa application form, enter all other names that you have used in the section called 'other names'.
Check your translated document
Each translation must:
- be on the translation business’s official letterhead, if possible
- certified as a correct translation by the translator
- stamped or signed by the translator or translation business.
Submitting your original foreign language documents
When you apply for your visa, the supporting documents that you provide us are the:
- original document in a foreign language, and
- a certified English translation of the document.
How you provide the documents depends on if you are applying online or on a paper form.
If applying online, make sure all scanned copies are clear and readable.We may not need an original document or its certified copy in the following situations:
- if we asked for uncertified copies in our form or guide
- if you submitted a legible scan of the original document in the online form
- if you submitted a legible copy of the original document for a temporary entry visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we need you to send us a document.
Organise proof of identity and citizenship
Check you are a citizen of a visa waiver country or territory. If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
Visa waiver countries and territories
If you have a passport from a country or territory on the visa waiver list, you can travel to New Zealand without a visa - but you need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) first.List of visa waiver countries and territories
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech
- Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia (citizens only)
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (residents travelling on HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- South Kuwait
- Latvia (citizens only)
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania (citizens only)
- Luxembourg
- Macao (residents travelling on Macao Special Administrative Region passports)
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal (passport holders who also have the right to live permanently in Portugal)
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (permanent residents travelling on Taiwan passports)
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom (UK) (citizens and other British passport holders who have the right to reside permanently in the UK)
- United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals)
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
Visiting New Zealand from a visa waiver country
Most people travelling to New Zealand need to get either a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
If you are travelling on a passport from a
, you can visit New Zealand for a short time without applying for a visa first — instead, we give you a visitor visa on arrival. You must get an NZeTA before you travel, unless you are exempt. New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
Visitors who do not need an NZeTA
You can holiday for up to 3 months, or up to 6 months if you are travelling on a UK passport.
When you need a visa
If you want to study, work or live in New Zealand, you need to get an appropriate visa.
If you are coming to New Zealand for a medical consultation or treatment, you must apply for a visa.
When you arrive in New Zealand
If you need an NZeTA, you must have it before you arrive in New Zealand.
When you arrive at the border with your NZeTA, we give you a visitor visa on arrival — but first we will need to see your:
- passport
- NZeTA confirmation letter, and
- completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) — as part of your declaration, you apply for this visa on entry and for entry permission.
We may also ask to see your ticket for travel out of New Zealand, and evidence you have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand.
Warning
If you cannot meet any of the requirements or you want to stay longer, you should apply for a visitor visa before you travel, as you may not be allowed to enter with a visa waiver, even if you have an NZeTA.
If you have dependent children endorsed on your passport
If the passport issuing authority of your country has endorsed your dependent children on your passport, we will accept your endorsed passport as their travel document.
When you arrive in New Zealand, your dependent children will still need to complete an NZTD and may need to show:
- return tickets
- evidence of enough money for their stay in New Zealand.
Alert
The details in your NZeTA must always match the details in the passport you will be using to travel to New Zealand. If your passport details are not correct you may not be able to board your plane.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa or NZeTA.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.Meeting our photo requirements
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo.
If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused.
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements.
Alert
Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only.
Using a professional photographer
Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
Paper applications for visas
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms.
Note
You can only apply for an NZeTA online.
Online applications for visas
The photo you submit with an online application must be:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
Alert
We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size.
Online requests for NZeTAs
If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera.
If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera.
Your photo must be:
- less than 10 MB, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted.
Online photo error messages
If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them.
Taking your visa photo
Your photo must:
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
It may be easier to remove them.
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Get recent bank or credit card statements, and proof of any accommodation you have pre-paid for.
Organise proof you can leave New Zealand
This can be a plane ticket, cruise ship itinerary or letter from the craft owner if leaving on a private craft.
Organise proof for your family or group members
Check that everyone has current passports, proof they have enough money to live on, and proof they can leave New Zealand.
-
4
Step 4: Arrive in New Zealand
When you arrive at the border in New Zealand, we ask to see your passport, NZeTA confirmation letter and completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). We may ask to see your ticket for travel out of New Zealand.
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand before you arrive. You do this by completing an NZTD form — as part of your declaration, you apply for this visa on entry and for entry permission. We check your identity and other information to make a decision.
You can start your digital declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit it is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Alert
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- are not a genuine visitor
- do not meet our health or character requirements
- refuse to let us take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan
- cannot provide evidence of any onward travel or the money required to leave New Zealand.
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you:
- plan to stay in New Zealand temporarily
- are coming for the reason you gave in your visa application or New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)
- will comply with the conditions of your visa
- will not stay in New Zealand without a valid visa, and
- have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions.
Alert
You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD.
Visitor visas
If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
, your reasons for coming to New Zealand can include, but are not limited to: - a holiday
- staying with family and friends
- playing amateur sport
- getting married.
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment.
Student visas
If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand.
You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to.
Work visas
If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to.
Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa.
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions:
- when you apply for a visa
- when we process your visa application
- before you board your flight or cruise
- when you arrive in New Zealand.
Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand.
Evidence of your travel history
To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including:
- the photo page, and
- all pages with visa records, and entry and exit stamps.
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country.
Declined visa applications
If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide:
- a copy of the letter from that country's immigration authority declining your application, or
- a letter explaining why your application was not successful, if the original letter is not available.
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their:
- names
- contact addresses and phone numbers, and
- their New Zealand visa or citizenship status.
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of:
- hotel and accommodation bookings
- attraction bookings
- transportation bookings.
You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include:
- a ticket for travel out of New Zealand to a country you have the right to enter
- documents such as bank or credit card statements that show you, or your sponsor, have enough money to buy a ticket.
Evidence of your study plans
If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have:
- been offered a place in an approved programme of study with a New Zealand education provider, or confirmation of enrolment
- paid, or will pay, your tuition fees.
If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider.
You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you.
Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include:
- what your study plans are and why you have chosen this course
- what you want to do after you finish studying, for example applying for a different visa or returning to your home country
- how you are paying for your study
- any gaps in your recent education or work history.
If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
Evidence of your work plans
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide:
- a written offer of employment
- a copy of your qualifications
- evidence of your occupational status or registration
- other information about the work you will be doing.
Evidence you have enough money
If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include:
- bank statements or credit card statements
- bank drafts or traveller's cheques
- proof of accommodation pre-payment, such as hotel pre-paid vouchers or receipts
- a statement from a sponsor or guarantor.
Evidence of your home country circumstances
Depending on your situation, you may need to provide:
- evidence of your employment in your home country — for example:
- a letter from your employer approving your leave and confirming you will return to work, and
- financial evidence of your employment
- evidence showing you are a student in your home country — such as a letter or student identity card from your school or education provider
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country - evidence of assets you own in your home country — such as your home or a business
- a retirement certificate or evidence you receive a pension.
Providing good-quality evidence
We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application.
You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application.
False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications
Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas.
Providing English translations of supporting documents
If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format.
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at:
- information and evidence you provide with your visa application
- information you provide in your New Zealand Traveller Declaration when you arrive
- any information we have about your personal circumstances
- any information we have about your previous applications.
Evidence you provide with your application
We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it:
- shows you meet all the criteria for the visa you are applying for, and
- supports your reasons for spending time in New Zealand.
Your personal circumstances
When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at:
- the strength of family relationships you may have in your home country or in New Zealand
- any personal, financial, work or other commitments you may have in your home country or New Zealand
- any circumstances showing you may not be able to return to your home country.
Your previous applications
We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have:
- stayed in New Zealand after your visa expired
- breached your visa conditions
- have a family member who is in New Zealand without a visa.
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
- do not believe your intentions are genuine
- believe you gave false or misleading information or withheld relevant information.
What might stop you from being allowed to enter New Zealand
Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements. For example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa.If you have been refused entry to New Zealand and you still want to travel to here, contact the Customer Service Centre for advice.
You may need to apply for a visa before you travel here again.
Why we stop you travelling to or entering New Zealand
Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements — for example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa. When you arrive we check your identity and other information again before we give you
. Alert
Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter New Zealand.
Your airline or other carrier can be fined if they let you board an aircraft or ship after we have let them know that you cannot travel.
Your identity and travel documents
We can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if:
- we cannot confirm your identity
- the passport or travel document you are travelling on has expired, is damaged or has been reported lost or stolen, or has been invalidated
- you need a visa to travel to or transit through New Zealand and you do not have one
- your eVisa is not in the passport you use to travel to New Zealand, or
- your onward travel arrangements are to a country you do not have the right to enter.
Information you provide to us
We can stop you travelling to New Zealand or entering the country if you:
- provide false or misleading information in your visa application or to an immigration officer
- possess a forged, fraudulent or altered identity document or any other official document.
Meeting the conditions of your visa
We can also refuse to let you travel to or enter New Zealand if you cannot show us evidence to support the conditions of your visa. For example, you cannot show us evidence that you:
- have enough money to live on while you are here
- have made arrangements to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay
- are coming to New Zealand for a lawful and genuine reason.
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ
If your circumstances have changed and you can no longer meet the conditions of your visa we can also refuse to let you enter New Zealand. For example, if your work visa is based on a job offer that has since been withdrawn you will not be allowed to travel to New Zealand on that visa.
Your character and health
You cannot come to New Zealand if you do not meet our health and character requirements. For example, you can be refused entry if:
- we believe you might be a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest — for example, you have been associated with a gang or registered sex offenders
- we think you might commit an offence that would result in you going to prison, or
- you have been deported, excluded or removed from another country.
Arriving in New Zealand
You could be refused entry to New Zealand if you:
- refuse to complete a New Zealand traveller declaration
- provide false or misleading information on any part of your New Zealand traveller declaration
- refuse to let an immigration officer take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan
- possess controlled or prohibited substances, or plan to import them, without proper authority
- do not follow instructions given by us or other border agencies including the New Zealand Customs Service, Biosecurity New Zealand or the New Zealand Police.
-
5
Step 5: We give you a visa
If we decide you meet the requirements, we will give you a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa at the border.
While you are in New Zealand
Travel
You will be given single-entry travel conditions — this means if you leave the country, your visa will expire.
Your visa expires:
- 3 months after you arrive in New Zealand (or 6 months after you arrive, if you are from the United Kingdom), or
- when you leave New Zealand, whichever happens first.
Work
You cannot
Remote work is an activity you do for gain or reward for a company, employer or client that is not in New Zealand. Gain or reward includes work done for payment, or for a benefit that can be valued in terms of money, for example accommodation, food, or services. If you are self-employed or a digital nomad you can work remotely for clients outside New Zealand. All visitor visas applied for on or after 27 January 2025 allow you to work remotely in New Zealand. There is no limit to the amount of remote work you can do while you have your visitor visa. Remote work includes: Remote work does not include any work you do: If you want to work for or with a New Zealand-based employer, you must apply for a visa that will allow you to work in New Zealand. You may have to pay tax if you are visiting New Zealand and working remotely for an overseas business or client. If your income is taxed in another country or territory, you may not need to pay tax in New Zealand if you are here for less than 92 days in a 12-month period. If you are a tax resident in 1 of the countries and territories New Zealand has a tax treaty with, you may be able to stay in New Zealand for up to 183 days before you need to pay tax. The days do not need to be all at once, for example if you visit New Zealand more than once in a 12-month period. Contact Inland Revenue to discuss your situation and to check if you will need to pay tax in New Zealand.
Working remotely in New Zealand on a visitor visa
You may be able to work remotely for an overseas business or client while you are visiting New Zealand.
Paying tax while you are in New Zealand
Study
You may 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.
Alert
If children are going to be studying for more than 2 weeks, their education provider must be a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code).