- Multiple entries: Not more than 6 months in any 12-month period
- Single entry: 9 months
If you haven’t already, read the New Zealand Visa Guide to familiarize yourself with available visa types for tourists, requirements, eligibility and procedures at the airport.
Table of Contents
Understanding New Zealand Visitor Visa
Visitor visa validity
In most cases, the New Zealand visitor visa is valid for 3 years with multiple entries.
For Chinese passports, the visa is valid for 5 years, whereas for US passports, the validity is 4 years.
Single-entry visitor visas have 6 months validity.
If your passport expires before that, you are allowed to transfer your visa to your new passport.
Duration of stay
Multiple-entry visas let you visit New Zealand for up to 6 months at a time. You can spend a maximum of 6 months within any 12 months.
For example, if you stay in New Zealand for 4 months from January 1 to May 1, then leave and come back on June 1, you will only be allowed to stay 2 more months, i.e. until August 1. Afterwards, you can return to New Zealand no earlier than January 1.
Single-entry visas allow you to stay a maximum of 9 months. This visa cannot allow you to stay in New Zealand for more than 9 months within the last 18 months, for example, if you had another visa before that.
Allowed number of entries
Most New Zealand Visitor visas allow multiple entries.
Single-entry visas are issued if you express your need to stay in New Zealand for longer than 6 months.
Allowed ports of entry
You can enter through any international airport or port.
If you arrive in New Zealand in a different location by private yacht or private aircraft, you must report to a customs port or airport without delay and complete an arrival card there.
When to apply
- Earliest: 3 months before you travel
- Latest: 1 month before you travel
New Zealand Visitor Visa Requirements
Who requires a visitor visa?
The New Zealand Visitor Visa is required for all nationalities who want to travel to New Zealand for tourism, EXCEPT for:
- Australian passport holders
- Travelers from visa-waiver countries (they must obtain an NZeTA)
- Transit passengers through Auckland International Airport not leaving the transit area (must obtain NZeTA or Transit Visa depending on eligibility)
Documents required
Include as many documents to support your application as you can. You have to satisfy New Zealand Immigration that:
- You are who you say you are
- You won’t be a risk to public health
- You are of good character without a substantial criminal record and not a threat to the public
- You have enough money to support yourself
- You are a genuine tourist visitor who will not overstay or work illegally.
To do this, attach the following documents:
Identity Documents
- Valid Passport or certificate of identity (valid for at least 3 more months after the intended departure date from New Zealand)
- 1 acceptable photo (for online applications)
- Residence Permit or Visa (if you live in a country different from your citizenship)
Health Documents
- Staying less than 6 months
- normally nothing required
- Chest X-ray but only if you come from or have spent at least 3 months in the past 5 years in a country that doesn’t have a low incidence of tuberculosis.
- Chest X-ray regardless of where you come from
- Medical Certificate
Character Documents
- Staying less than 24 months
- Normally nothing required
Proof of Funds Documents
Include documents that show you have at least 1000 NZD per month, or 400 NZD per month if you’ve already paid for your accommodation. For example:
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Traveler cheques
- Proof of booked and paid accommodation
Genuine Visitor Documents (Bona-fides)
- Evidence of your plans in New Zealand
- Explanation of the reasons for your trip
- Hotel bookings
- Tickets for attractions or events
- Transportation tickets
- Used visas
- Passport pages with entry and exit stamps
- Copy of the letter from that country’s immigration authority declining your application (OR)
- A written explanation of why your application was not successful if the original letter is not available.
- If visiting family or friends in New Zealand, include their:
- Names
- Addresses
- Citizenship statuses
- Evidence of Employment, e.g. leave approval letter from employer with expected return date and pay slips
- Evidence of Study, e.g. university letter, student identity card
- Evidence of Relationships, e.g. family register, marriage certificate
- Evidence of Assets, e.g. deed of ownership for property, proof of business ownership
- Evidence you receive a pension, e.g. retirement certificate, pension slips
Photo requirements
For online applications, your photo must be:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels
- JPG or JPEG format.
For paper applications, your photo must be:
- 35 mm wide and 45 mm high
All photos must:
- Be in portrait, not landscape
- Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
- Be in color, showing natural skin tones
- Be in focus, not blurry
- Not contain red-eye
- Be an unedited original
- Not be a selfie
- Be taken 1.5 meters from the face
- Be taken against a plain, light-colored (but not white) background with no patterns or objects
- Only contain plain clothing patterns
- Show you:
- facing straight to the camera
- Keeping your eyes open and mouth closed
- Not smiling or frowning
- Having long hair tucked behind the ears
- Not wearing any sunglasses or hats (prescription glasses are allowed if there is no reflected light or glare)
- Religious head coverings are allowed as long as your face and hairline are visible
Visitor visa fee
The Visa fee for paper applications depends on your country and the Visa Application Center (VAC) you apply at. You will also have to pay a VAC processing fee and for courier service.
If you apply online, the visa fee for most nationalities is 246 NZD. This includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of 35 NZD.
Citizens of the following Pacific Island Nations pay 171 NZD.
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Processing time
As of the time of writing, 80% of all applications are processed within 4 weeks.
New Zealand Visitor Visa Application Process
How to apply for visitor visa
It’s both easier and cheaper to apply online. As such, the following procedure is for online applications.
Follow these steps:
- Go to the New Zealand Immigration website
- You will be redirected to RealMe to create an account
- Start a new application
- Fill in your personal information and attach a photo (the system will check the photo for eligibility)
- Answer questions about your reasons for visiting New Zealand, your character, health, employment history and relationships
- Attach as many documents as you deem necessary
- Pay the visa fee
- Submit the application
Track visitor visa status
You can track your visa status in the dashboard of the application webpage.
Download approved visitor visa
If you made an online application, you must print your eVisa and carry it with you when you travel to New Zealand. You will get a visa label when you make a paper application, in which case you do not need to print anything.
Visitor visa customer service
For additional help, check the Resource Library or make a complaint.
Procedure at the Border
When you arrive in New Zealand, you must complete a Traveler Declaration and seek entrance permission.
Approach an Immigration Officer
You must be able to produce evidence that you will meet the conditions of your visa. Officers usually ask to see:
- Onward travel ticket
- Bank statements
- Booking confirmations
Clear Customs
Be extremely careful with the customs declaration you submit. Declare all items or goods listed on the form. Failure to do so, even if the items are benign, may lead to instant fines or even the cancellation of your visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Zealand tourist visa easy to get?
The New Zealand Tourist Visa is easy to obtain if you submit all the necessary documents and enough proof that you intend to visit the country as a genuine tourist.
Is there an interview for New Zealand tourist visa?
In most cases there is no interview for the New Zealand Visitor Visa. Immigration may ask you to submit more documents to explain your circumstances. In very rare cases, you may be invited for an interview.
Is return ticket required for visitor visa to New Zealand?
Yes, a return ticket is a mandatory condition to enter New Zealand.
How much bank balance is required for New Zealand tourist visa?
The minimum bank balance required for a New Zealand tourist visa is 1000 NZD per month of intended stay. If you can prove that you’ve already paid for accommodation, the required amount drops to 400 NZD per month.
WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI
Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.
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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.MORE VISA GUIDES
Having Trouble Navigating Visas?
Hi! I'm Thirumal Motati. I've been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. I've obtained several tourist visas, including the most difficult ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times.
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