Getting a New Zealand Visa

Visitor's Visas

A visitor's visa is an endorsement in your passport before you come to New Zealand. You should apply for your visitor's permit when you complete an arrival card upon entering New Zealand. The period of time you are allowed to stay will be written inside your visa and permit, and you are not entitled to work in New Zealand. Visas are to enable you to:

• study or train for a single course of not more than three months
• undergo medical treatment
• take a holiday.

You will need to supply a completed Application for Visitor's Visa, fee, passport, and a recent passport-size photo. You may also be required to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Details of your travel arrangements to leave New Zealand must also be shown.

If you wish to make more than one journey to New Zealand, you should apply for a multiple visa.

Study Visas

A visa is an endorsement placed in your passport before you depart for New Zealand. Visas allow you to travel to New Zealand until the specified date; they do not give you permission to be in New Zealand, but do indicate that the holder has permission to travel to New Zealand, and that the issuing officer knows of no reason why a permit should not be issued upon arrival. You must apply for a visa unless the course of study or training is for three months or less. A visa shows the length of your stay, e.g. up to four years. This will also be shown on your permit.

If you wish to enquire about technical institutions, universities and schools, you can contact either the Ministry of Education, International Division, Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand. Tel: 64 4 473 5544 or Fax 64 4 499 1327, or the institution of your choice.

Work Visas

Anyone who arranges a job before arriving in New Zealand, or who intends to come to New Zealand to work, must apply in their own country for a work visa. Do not make arrangements to travel here until you have written approval of your application.

How to Apply

If you have a current work, visitor's or student permit and you now want a work permit to stay longer, you must apply before your current permit expires. Your work permit application will be considered according to the local job market. A permit will normally be issued only if a suitable New Zealand citizen or resident is not available locally for the job.