A Visitor Visa is ideal for individuals who are intending to make a short trip to New Zealand, particularly as tourists or to visit friends and family. It also allows holders to study in New Zealand for up to three months.
Who can apply for a Visitor Visa?
In order to be eligible for a New Zealand Visitor Visa, you should:
- be genuinely intending to visit New Zealand on a temporary basis, and to leave the country at the conclusion of your visit
- have enough funds to support yourself during your visit
- have insurance or sufficient funds to pay for any healthcare needs during your visit
- meet the standard health and good character requirements for New Zealand visas
You may be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), which allows you to travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first. Check your eligibility for an NZeTA here.
What does a Visitor Visa offer?
A Visitor Visa allows you to:
- visit New Zealand on a temporary basis for:
- up to 6 months in a 12 month period (multiple entry) or;
- up to 9 months (single entry)
- travel to and from New Zealand freely providing your visa permits multiple entries and do not exceed your 6 month maximum stay time
- study for up to 3 months out of a single 12 month period
You are permitted to include your partner and dependent children (19 or younger) in your application.
You are not permitted to work in New Zealand on the basis of a Visitor Visa. It is generally not permitted to use a Visitor Visa as a basis for applying for another visa, unless you are applying to extend your Visitor Visa to its maximum length of 9 months.
How do I apply for a Visitor Visa?
Applications for a Visitor Visa can be submitted either online or on paper, and must be submitted from outside of New Zealand. Application fees vary depending on the applicant’s nationality and range from NZD $35 to NZD $246, with a NZD $35 charge for each additional person included in the application.
Around 80% of applications for Visitor Visas are reviewed and receive a decision within four weeks.
How long is an NZeTA valid for?
Once approved, an NZeTA is valid for multiple entries to New Zealand over a period of two years. The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is also valid for multiple entries over two years – it costs NZD $35 and is payable by all visitors except Australian citizens.
Note: the cost of an IVL will rise to NZD $100 from 1 October 2024. Read more about this decision here.
Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem
BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)
Mohamed is an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, specializing in immigration law.
He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.
His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.
Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, professional sportspeople, and entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.
