Thinking of going on vacation to New Zealand? Then you are in the correct article! To vacation in this beautiful country, you need to apply for the New Zealand visitor visa application, and in this article, we tell you everything you need to know about this visa.
Those who apply for this visa are entitled to travel, discover and enjoy the entire country, as long as they do so economically supporting their trip with their own funds and not working in the country, since this visa does not enable them to work.
Keep reading to find out how to get New Zealand visa?
Who Should Apply For New Zealand Visa?
.jpg)
New Zealand has a list of countries that do not need to apply to enter as tourists in advance, called “Visa Waiver Countries,” but must hold an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). If you are from any of the following countries and you are only traveling for tourism, you DO NOT need to obtain any type of visa in advance:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Holy See (Vatican)
If you are not from any of these countries, you will have to complete with the New Zealand visa application before going to the country. For this, you must download the form and complete it.
New Zealand Visa Requirements
Here is a list of the New Zealand visa requirements that you must meet in the event that you need to apply for New Zealand visa in advance:
- Complete the New Zealand visa application form
- 2 passport size photos with white background
- Passport valid for a minimum of 3 months before your trip and a copy of the first page (The Embassy only receives original documents or notarized copies)
- Photocopies of all previous visas you have, including entry and exit stamps from previous countries
- If you are residing in a country that is not yours, you need the card/visa/document of the same and its photocopy
- You must present your card or national identity document and its photocopy
- Certificate of good health stating that you are in good health with chest x-rays
- Proof that you will return to your country of residence (work, study), for example, a letter from your boss stating that you work and that you must rejoin xx date
- Have the ticket back to your country of origin
- Show that you have financial resources to make the trip (certificate from your bank). You must have at least NZ 1,000 (USD $715) per month
- Proof that you paid the visa
- If you have family living in New Zealand and you want stay with them, you will have to prove it
It is recommended to carry travel insurance and declare that you are willing to pay the costs of any medical care or medical assistance you receive in New Zealand. Also, although you do not have to present the criminal record certificate, you cannot have had penalties that entailed imprisonment.
How to Get New Zealand Visa?
Once you have all the documents in your hands, you should go to the Embassy or consulate of your country of residence to start the New Zealand visa process. It should be noted that depending on your nationality, you may be called to give a personal interview. Next, you can keep in mind some New Zealand visitor visa interview questions.
New Zealand Visitor Visa Interview Questions
Although the questions for the New Zealand Embassy interview may vary from person to person, there are general questions that you should know how to answer:
1. Why did you choose New Zealand to vacation?
Here you can mention what you would like to visit or know and why.
2. Do you have friends or family in New Zealand?
In case you have a family member living there, mention them and clarify your relationship. If you have friends, you should also mention them and clarify how you met them and how long you have known them.
3. Have you applied for any type of NZ visa before?
If the answer is yes, mention which one. If your visa has not been previously approved, you should also mention it and, if possible, mention the reasons for said rejection.
4. Where do you work? Since when have you worked there and what activities have you done?
Be specific with the name of the company and your seniority. Give your position and the activities you do. This way, they will notice that you have a permanent job and are not looking to travel to New Zealand to stay to work. You are much more likely to get a visa if you have a job. If you are unemployed, the possibility of being rejected is high.
5. How long will your stay in NZ, and when do you plan to leave?
The more specific this answer, the better. Make sure your answer matches your return flight ticket. Example: I leave on July 5, I go for five days. I return on July 10.
6. Who will pay for your travel expenses?
If you will pay for your trip, say so; if someone else in your family will, make it clear.
7. Where will you stay?
Just give the name of the hotel. If you have more information about the location, you can mention it.
New Zealand Visitor Visa Processing Time
The New Zealand visitor visa processing time may take 10 to 60 business days, but that will depend on what country you are from. Also, it is valid for 3 months.
How Much Is A New Zealand Visa Fee?
The New Zealand visa process cost is NZD 246, but here also the price may vary depending on your nationality. This visa is categorized as New Zealand multiple entry visitor visa.
What Do You Need To Know About NZeTA And IVL?
All citizens of currently visa-exempt countries (mentioned in the list above) need to have NZeTA. This is for both visitors and transit passengers.
NZeTA must be applied for well in advance of travel to New Zealand. Approval can take up to 72 hours. If at the time of check-in, the passenger does not have NZeTA, he will not be able to board.
NZeTA can be requested in two different ways:
- Downloading the mobile application to the phone. Cost: NZD 9 (USD 6). The application is available for both the Apple Store and Google Play
- Completing the New Zealand visitor visa application form on the New Zealand immigration website. Cost: NZD 12 (USD 9)
How much is a New Zealand visa? The IVL costs NZD 35 for each person traveling to New Zealand and is paid in the same transaction as the NZeTA. The IVL does not apply to passengers in transit.
Both NZeTA and IVL are valid for New Zealand multiple entry visitor visa of up to 90 days each, for 2 years.
What Do You Need To Get The NZeTA?
- Be the holder of a valid passport for at least 3 months after the date of return to your country
- Have air tickets. This means having a ticket back to your country or to a country to which you will be able to enter. For example: you cannot have a return ticket to India if you have not yet obtained the Indian visa because they will not let you enter
- Have enough money to be able to stay in New Zealand for as long as you want to be, approximately NZD 1000 (USD 715) per month
- Have an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). All visitors and transit passengers must have an NZeTA. Cost: NZD 12 (USD )
- Pay IVL (international visitor conservation and tourism tax) before traveling. Cost: NZD 35 (USD 25) IMPORTANT: the cost of the IVL is included in the cost of the visa
What Does This Visa Allow You To Do In New Zealand?
There are certain things that are not allowed with the tourist/visitor visa, such as working. But now we are going to focus on the things you can do:
- Touring New Zealand in its entirety as tourists
- Visiting friends or family
- Play a sport or perform at cultural events without payment
- Enter New Zealand to get married
- Study for a period of up to 3 months
