V3.5 Business visitors

1. Business visitors who are not considered to be undertaking employment (see W2.2.1) may be granted a visitor visa, provided that they intend a stay in New Zealand for no longer than 3 months in any one year.
2. Business visitors who are not considered to be undertaking employment include the following:
   1. representatives on official trade missions recognised by the New Zealand Government;
   2. sales representatives of overseas companies in New Zealand for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year;
   3. overseas buyers of New Zealand goods or services for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year;
   4. people undertaking business consultations or negotiations in New Zealand on establishing, expanding, or winding up any business enterprise in New Zealand, or carrying on any business in New Zealand, involving the authorised representatives of any overseas company, body or person for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year;
   5. training seminars including personnel of an enterprise receiving informal training in techniques and work practices relevant to the operation of the enterprise (provided that the training received is confined to observation, familiarisation, and theoretical instruction only and does not lead to the award of a formal qualification under the New Zealand Qualifications Framework) for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year;
   6. commercial transactions including management and supervisory personnel and financial services personnel (including insurers, bankers and investment brokers) engaging in a commercial transaction for an enterprise located in New Zealand, for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year;
   7. tourism personnel including tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators attending or participating in conventions for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year.
3. Business visitors who need to be in New Zealand for longer than 3 months in any one year, and all other business visitors, must apply for a work visa (see WS2).

Note: Business visitor instructions reflect New Zealand's international trade commitments (see E9).

Effective 20/10/2026