New Zealand Visitor visa

Required Documents for New Zealand Visa

• Passport
  • Valid for at least 3 months past the date you plan to leave New Zealand
• Completed and signed application form (Form 1017)
  • Answer in English in capital letters
• 2 Passport-sized photos
  • For paper applications:
    • 35mm x 45mm in size, colored and showing natural skin tones
    • Photo must be in portrait, taken within the last 6 months, against plain or light-colored background; and taken 1.5 meters away from the face
    • Applicant must wear only plain clothing, with face clearly visible, eyes open and mouth closed, neutral expression and hair tucked behind the ears
  • For online applications
    • Between 500 KB and 3 MB and between 900 x 1200 pixels and 2250 x 3000 pixels
    • In JPEG format, colored and showing natural skin tones
    • Photo must be in portrait, taken within the last 6 months, against plain or light-colored background; and taken 1.5 meters away from the face
    • Applicant must wear only plain clothing, with face clearly visible, eyes open and mouth closed, neutral expression and hair tucked behind the ears
• Proof that you intend to return to your country of residence, or proof of onward travel arrangements out of New Zealand at the end of your stay
• Proof that you are visiting only for the following purposes:
  • Holidaying
  • Getting married
  • Visiting family and friends
  • Participating in amateur sports
• Proof of financial support
  • Completed INZ 1025 or Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry, or
  • Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself
• Applicants who include their partner or children in the application must provide the following:
  • Proof of relationship with partner
  • Proof that they are the parent or legal guardian of the children included in the application

Note: Documents must be in English or translated to English. Each translation must have the following:

• Signature or stamp of the translator or the translation business
• Be on the business’s official letterhead (if possible)

Translations must be certified and must be carried out by the following:

• Translation Service of the Department of Internal Affairs (in New Zealand)
• Reputable people who are known to carry out accurate translations
• Embassies or High Commissions
• Any private or official translation business
• Licensed immigration advisers who are:
  • Trusted within the community
  • Known to translate documents accurately
  • Not assisting as advisor on the application

New Zealand Visa Application Steps

Paper Applications:

• Gather all the required documents.
• Fill out the application form.
  • Download and print Application Form 1017 and fill it out in capital letters in English. Go through the checklist and make sure you have all the required documents
• Visit the Immigration New Zealand website.
  • Check the receiving center fees, time frames, and details of the VAC by selecting the correct information about the visa type, your country of nationality and citizenship, country where you intend to submit your application, the mode of application (on paper), and number of persons applying for a visa.
• Schedule a New Zealand visa appointment.
• Submit your New Zealand visa application form.
  • Submit your application form together with the supporting documents. Further instructions will be given at the VAC regarding collection of passport, visa, and documents
• Pay your visa application fees and other fees (if applicable) at the VAC.

Online Applications

• Gather all required documents.
  • Scan the documents and save as in PDF format.
• Fill out the application form.
  • Visit the official New Zealand Immigration Online website to apply for a visitor visa. Create a RealMe account or log in if you already have one. Follow the online instructions for account setup or creation. Answer the questions and fill out application form in English.
• Submit your New Zealand visa application online.
  • Upload the supporting documents. All documents must in PDF format and must not be larger than 10 MB.
• Pay the application fee and immigration levy using Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay
  • Applicants will be notified if there is a need to send their passport or if an eVisa can be issued. Passports should be sent to the nearest VAC and must be received within 20 days. Otherwise, the application may be delayed or declined. There may be a handling fee that must be paid when sending passports to VACs.
• Note Some applicants may be asked to provide more information or documents after submitting their online applications. To upload additional documents, you can:
  • Log in to your account
  • Select your application in the Submitted tab
  • Select Upload additional document

New Zealand Visa Fees

The standard fee for a visitor visa starts from NZ$150. However, the fee may vary, depending on the applicant’s nationality, the country where the application was made, and the mode of application (whether online or on paper). Aside from the visa application fee, there may be other fees such as the tourism levy fee.

Where to Apply

Applications can either be made online through the official New Zealand Immigration Online website (RealMe) or on paper through VACs.

New Zealand Visa Processing Time

According to the New Zealand immigration website, the current processing time for a New Zealand visitor visa is within 11 months.

Note: Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the majority of visa processing for applications outside New Zealand has been put on hold because these are not likely to meet the country’s current entry conditions.

For approved visa applications:

It is a must to check the details of the visa and contact the VAC or Immigration New Zealand if any detail on the visa is incorrect. If your visa details do not match your passport, you may be delayed when traveling to New Zealand. Note that an eVisa will only record your first and last name, it does have any middle name.