New Zealand Visa Requirements

What Is A New Zealand Visitor's Visa And Visitor's Permit?

A Visitor's Visa is:

• An endorsement you get in your passport to allow you to travel to New Zealand for the purpose of visiting; or
  
• An endorsement you get in your passport if you are already in New Zealand and wish to travel overseas and then return back to New Zealand for the purpose of visiting.
  The Visitor's Visa shows you have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a Visitor's Permit when you arrive. The visa may be for a single (for one journey) or multiple (for more than one journey) entry.

If you are from these countries you do not need a visa:

You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder; or
• An Australian citizen or resident who holds a current Australian resident return visa.

Or if you are a citizen of one of the following countries which have visa waiver agreements with New Zealand, you do not need to apply for a Visitor Visa if you plan to visit New Zealand for 3 months or less.

* Portuguese passports holders must have the right to live permanently in Portugal.
** Includes US nationals from American Samoa and Swains Island.
*** Residents of Hong Kong travelling on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passports. People travelling on a United Nations (UN) laissez-passer

British Citizens and Passport Holders:

If you are a British citizen or are a British passport holder and have evidence of the right to live permanently in the United Kingdom, you may be granted a Visitor's Permit valid for 6 months on arrival.

If you do not need a visa (see above) then you still need the following:

• hold a valid ticket to a country you have the right of entry to; and
  
• have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay; and
  
• hold a passport valid for 3 months beyond the date you are leaving New Zealand; and
  only wish to visit New Zealand for the time granted on arrival. This is usually 3 months or 6 months if you are a British Passport Holder. (if you wish to visit for a longer period you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa).
  

What is a visitors permit:

• An endorsement in your passport which allows you to remain in New Zealand for the purpose of visiting. It will state the expiry date of the permit. This is the date by which you need to have left New Zealand
  
• All visitors get one of these stamped into your passport when you arrive in New Zealand.
  

A Visitor's Permit will allow you to:

• visit as a tourist;
  
• visit friends and family;
  
• study (one course of no more than three months duration);
  
• play sport (in a tournament of no more than three months duration);
  
• make a business trip (of no more than three months duration);
  
• undertake medical treatment.

How Do I Apply For A Visitor's Visa Or Permit?

Visitor's Visa and Permit requirements are found in the Application for Visiting New Zealand form.

Offices to which you send your application form can be found at: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/offices/

When Do I Apply For A Visitor's Visa?

You may apply for a Visitor's Visa if:

• You are outside New Zealand and need a Visa to travel to New Zealand.
• You need to re-enter New Zealand.
• You are a citizen from a Visa Free country but wish to stay longer than the set time granted on arrival.
  

When Do I Apply For A Visitor's Permit?

You may apply for a Visitor's Permit if:

• You are in New Zealand as a visitor and wish to stay longer.
• You are a worker and wish to holiday after your employment.
• You are a student and wish to holiday after your course.

Note: You do not need a medical Certificate or a police certificate if you are visiting New Zealand for less than 2 years.

If you do wish to know more about these certificates then please go to
medical and x-ray certificate.

Or information on how to obtain a police certificate from most countries may be found in Obtaining A Police Certificate booklet.

Medical Insurance

As a visitor you are not entitled to publicly funded health services unless you are:

• A resident or a citizen of Australia.
• A national of the United Kingdom.
• Holding a temporary permit valid for two years or more.

If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical treatment during your stay, you will be liable to pay the full costs of that treatment.

We strongly recommend that you have medical insurance for the duration of your visit.

How Long Can I Stay In New Zealand?

Visitors to New Zealand may stay a total of nine months in an 18 month period.

If you stay in New Zealand for a total of nine months in the last 18 months, you will be required to remain out of New Zealand for nine months before returning as a visitor.

You may, however, qualify for a further three month extension to your visitor permit after spending the maximum of nine months in New Zealand if:

• You have financially supported yourself and you have not been sponsored.
• You have lodged a first-time application for residence that has been accepted for consideration, and a decision is unlikely during the currency of your existing permit.
• You cannot leave New Zealand because of circumstances beyond your control.

If you stay a total of 12 months in the last 24 months, you will be required to remain out of New Zealand for 12 months before you can return as a visitor.

Could I Be Refused A Visa Or Permit?

Your visa or permit can be refused if:

• You do not meet the entry requirements.
  
• You are not a genuine applicant for a visitor visa or permit.
  
• You are a person to whom section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies and you do not have an exemption.

Where Can I Get More Information And Advice?

You can get more information from:

• NZ Immigration Service Web Site

• Contact an Immigration Service Centre

• New Zealand Diplomatic and Consular Offices

• New Zealand Immigration Service Branch Offices

• Guide for Visiting New Zealand

• Application for Visiting New Zealand

• New Zealand Immigration Service Operational Manual