Situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand offers plenty of reasons for you to travel there on a visa. Beautiful mountains, glassy beaches, lush rainforests, and vast plains are only some of the beautiful vistas you will find in New Zealand. You can partake in numerous activities that allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the country.
Whether it’s embarking on a cruise, kayaking through serene waters, hiking amidst picturesque trails, indulging in adrenaline-pumping jumps or skydives, experiencing the thrill of jet boating, carving through snowy slopes while skiing, discovering the vibrant underwater world through snorkeling, or casting a line for fishing adventures, each endeavor promises an extraordinary New Zealand experience.
New Zealand offers many visas to suit the preferences of many people. You can obtain visas to work, study, and visit for a certain length of time. By obtaining a work visa, you will be able to supplement your travel funds, gain international work experience, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Student visas allow you to pursue education in New Zealand, whether it’s a short-term course or a full degree program, you will have the chance to engage with a diverse student community.
Do I Need a Visa for New Zealand?
Visa waiver countries can visit New Zealand without a visa and stay for three to six months. All they need is an NZeTA, so there is no need to apply for a visa. If you are from Australia, you don’t need a visa to travel to New Zealand. Citizens and permanent residents of Australia can visit, live, and work in New Zealand permanently.
How to Apply in Person For a New Zealand Visa?
To apply in person for a New Zealand visa, you must follow the process below:
- Complete the application form. You must print and complete the specific application form. The answers you provide must be in English and capital letters. Before you attach the photos, you must write your name on the back of them.
- Book an appointment at your nearest visa application center. To book an appointment, you must visit the VFS Global website. When you attend the appointment, you must bring all the documents that the visa you are applying for requires.
- Print the confirmation email. When you submit your booking application, you will receive a confirmation email with the appointment details. You must print the attachment email together with the booking details and means of payment to bring to the visa application center.
- Attend the appointment. When you attend the appointment, you must:
- Submit the application form and all the required documents. Bring all the required documents to the appointment and avoid any possibility of your application being rejected.
- Pay the application fee and the required levies. You can pay the required fees when you attend the appointment. You can pay with Visa or MasterCard.
How to Apply Online For a New Zealand Visa?
To apply online for a New Zealand Tourist visa, you must follow the steps below:
- You must complete the online application. To start the application, you must create a RealMe account. Once you start the application, you must only provide correct information about yourself.
- Upload your documents and photo. When submitting your documents, please ensure they are scanned and do not exceed a file size of 10 MB. It is important to upload the documents in PDF format. Make sure to provide certified or official translations. Additionally, your passport-style photo should be submitted in jpeg format.
- Pay the application fee. You must pay the required fee by providing your Visa or MasterCard details in the application. You will receive a confirmation email after you make the payment.
- Submit the application. When you complete the online application, you can submit it. You will be notified when your eVisa is issued. You must print your eVisa letter and bring it when you travel to New Zealand. You will use the eVisa to travel to and stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your visa.
What Are the New Zealand Visa Types?
You can travel to New Zealand with the following NZ visas:
- New Zealand Work Visas
- New Zealand Business Visas
- New Zealand Study Visas
- New Zealand Visitor Visas
- New Zealand Family Visas
- New Zealand Resident Visas
New Zealand Work Visas
With the following NZ Work Visa types, you can work in New Zealand:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- New Zealand Diplomatic Visa
- Entertainers Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
- Specific Purpose Work Visa
- Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa
- Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa
- New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
- Working Holidaymaker Extension
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
New Zealand Business Visas
The listed Business NZ Visa types allow you to travel to New Zealand for business purposes:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- New Zealand Diplomatic Visa
- Entertainers Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Visa
- Post Study Work Visa
- Recognized Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
- Specific Purpose Work Visa
- Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Work Visa
- Talent Accredited Employer Resident Visa
- New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
- Working Holidaymaker Extension
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
New Zealand Study Visas
The following NZ Study Visas allow you to study in New Zealand:
- Fee Paying Student Visa
- MFAT-Funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa
- Exchange Student Visa
- Pathway Student Visa
- Vocational Trainee Visa
New Zealand Visitor Visas
You can visit New Zealand with the following Visitor visas:
- Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Parent and Grandparent Visitor visa
- Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
- Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa
- Super Yacht Visitor visa
- Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa
- Crew Joining a Ship or Plane Visitor Visa
- Group Visitor Visa
- Adoption Pre-Citizenship Visitor Visa
- Critical Purpose Visitor visa
- Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Sports Events Visitor Visa
- Visa Waiver Visitor Visa
- Occupational Registration Visitor Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
- Temporary Retirement Visitor visa
- Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
- Escort of Medical Patients Visitor Visa
- Tour Escort Visitor Visa
- Child of a Student Visitor Visa
- Child of Military Visitor Visa
- Visiting Media Visitor Visa
New Zealand Resident Visas
You can gain New Zealand residence with the following visas:
- New Zealand Permanent Residence
- Parent Retirement Resident Visa
- Parent Resident Visa
- Dependent Child Resident Visa
- Intercountry Adoption Resident Visa
- Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa
- Religious Worker Resident Visa
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
- Straight to Residence Visa
New Zealand Family Visas
You can bring your family to New Zealand with the following NZ Family visas:
- Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Parent Resident Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
- Dependent Child Resident Visa
- Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- Dependent Child Student Visa
- Child of a Student Visitor Visa
- Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa
- Marriage Visitor Visa
- Partner of a Student Work Visa
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
- Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- Refugee Family Support Resident Visa
- Intercountry Adoption Resident Visa
- Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa
- Adoption Visitor Visa
- Child of a Refugee Claimant Student Visa
New Zealand Uncategorized Visas
The following visas don’t belong to any specific category as they serve different purposes:
- Interim visa
- Limited Express Visa
- New Zealand Refugee Visa
- Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa
- Victims of Family Violence Work Visa
- New Zealand Citizenship
What Are the Required Documents for an NZ Visa?
To apply for a New Zealand visa, you must provide the appropriate documents that the specific visa needs. For most NZ visas, you need to submit the following documents:
- Your passport
- Your photo
- Proof of good health
- Police certificate
- Healthcare declaration
- Proof of your relationship
- Sufficient financial means
- Return ticket
You need to submit additional documents for study, work, residence, and business visas.
Can I Extend a New Zealand Visa?
You can’t extend your NZ visa, but you must apply for a temporary visa or another one before your current one expires. If you stay in New Zealand after your visa expires, you are breaking the law, and you:
- will have no access to healthcare
- can’t work or study
- can’t return to New Zealand again if you stay in New Zealand without a visa for 42 days or more
- can be detained or deported
How Long Can You Stay in New Zealand With a Visa?
The length of an NZ visa varies depending on the NZ visa type:
- Visitor Visas — 1 month to 18 months
- Work Visas — 6 months to 3 years
- Business Visa — 3 to 36 months
- New Zealand Study Visas — up to four years
What Are the Fees for New Zealand Visa?
The fees for NZ visas depend on the type of visa, the form of the application, and the country you apply from:
- Visitor Visas: NZD $170 — $400
- Student Visas: NZD $320 — $500
- Work Visas: NZD $400 — $900
- Business Visas: NZD $100 — $8000
- Family Visas: NZD $200 — $950
- Resident Visas: NZD $4000 — $5000
Will I Get a Refund If My NZ Visa Application Gets Rejected?
You won’t get a refund if your visa application gets rejected. However, if your visa application has not been processed, you may receive a refund in certain cases:
- Paying a fee that you didn’t need to pay
- Paying the wrong fee
- Paying the fee, but your application did not meet the lodgement criteria
- Deciding to withdraw your EOI