New Zealand Visitor Visas

Visitor visas allow you to travel to New Zealand for tourism, to visit family and friends, for short business trips, or for short-term study. At Sunrise Immigration Services, we can help you navigate the visitor visa application process to ensure a smooth journey to New Zealand.

Types of Visitor Visas

Multiple Entry Visitor Visa

This visa allows you to enter and exit New Zealand multiple times within the visa validity period.

  • Stay for up to 6 months in a 12-month period
  • Enter New Zealand as many times as you want during the visa validity
  • 12-month period calculated from your intended departure date
  • Must have been outside New Zealand for at least 9 months in the 18-month period before applying

Single Entry Visitor Visa

This visa allows you to enter New Zealand once and stay for a longer period.

  • Stay for up to 9 months in an 18-month period
  • Enter New Zealand only once
  • 18-month period calculated from your intended departure date
  • Visa expires if you leave New Zealand

Visa Waiver Countries

Citizens of many countries do not need to apply for a visitor visa before traveling to New Zealand if they:

  • Are visiting for 3 months or less (or 6 months if from the UK)
  • Have a passport from a visa-waiver country
  • Meet health and character requirements
  • Have an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority)

Visa waiver visitors still need to request an NZeTA before traveling to New Zealand. The NZeTA is not a visa but an electronic travel authority that allows you to travel to New Zealand.

Visitor Visa Requirements

General Requirements

To be eligible for a visitor visa, you generally need to provide:

  • Genuine Intention: Evidence that you are a genuine visitor and intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay
  • Good Health: Medical certificates may be required depending on your circumstances
  • Good Character: Police certificates may be required depending on your circumstances
  • Sufficient Funds: Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay (NZ$1,000 per month or NZ$400 per month if accommodation is prepaid)
  • Onward Travel: Evidence of arrangements to leave New Zealand (such as a return or onward ticket)

What You Can and Cannot Do on a Visitor Visa

You Can:

  • Visit New Zealand for tourism and sightseeing
  • Visit family and friends
  • Attend business meetings or conferences (but not work)
  • Study for up to 3 months
  • Participate in sporting or cultural events without being paid
  • Enter into a civil union or get married in New Zealand

You Cannot:

  • Work in New Zealand
  • Study for more than 3 months
  • Receive any form of payment or salary
  • Stay beyond your visa expiry date
  • Access most publicly funded services

Special Visitor Visa Categories

Business Visitor Visa

If you're coming to New Zealand for business purposes, you may be eligible for a Business Visitor Visa. This allows you to:

  • Attend business meetings or conferences
  • Conduct business negotiations
  • Undertake short-term business activities

You cannot undertake work for gain or reward or provide services to a New Zealand employer.

Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa

This visa allows parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents to visit for longer periods.

  • Stay for up to 6 months at a time
  • Multiple entry visa valid for 3 years
  • Must spend at least 18 months outside New Zealand during the 3-year period

Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa

This visa allows parents or legal guardians to accompany and care for young students studying in New Zealand.

  • For parents/guardians of students aged 13 and under (or up to 17 in special circumstances)
  • Duration matches the student's visa
  • No work rights (in most cases)

Applying for a Visitor Visa

The application process for a visitor visa involves:

  1. Checking if you need a visa (or if you're from a visa-waiver country)
  2. Gathering the required documentation
  3. Completing the application form
  4. Paying the application fee
  5. Submitting your application online or at a Visa Application Centre
  6. Waiting for a decision

Processing times vary depending on your nationality, the time of year, and the completeness of your application. It's advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date.

Entry to New Zealand

Having a visitor visa does not guarantee entry to New Zealand. When you arrive, you must:

  • Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)
  • Meet Customs and Biosecurity requirements
  • Demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor
  • Show evidence of onward travel and sufficient funds if required

You can be refused entry if you do not meet these requirements, even if you have a valid visa.

How Sunrise Immigration Services Can Help

Navigating the visitor visa application process can be complex, especially if you have special circumstances. Our experienced team can assist you with:

  • Determining if you need a visitor visa or an NZeTA
  • Advising on the most suitable type of visitor visa for your circumstances
  • Preparing and reviewing your visa application
  • Ensuring all required documentation is complete and correctly formatted
  • Addressing potential issues that might affect your application
  • Providing guidance on demonstrating genuine visitor status
  • Advising on financial requirements and evidence
  • Assisting with visa extensions or variations if your plans change

Our goal is to make your journey to visiting New Zealand as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Information sourced from: Immigration New Zealand - Visitor Visa

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