INZ 1018

Visitor Visa
Guide
A guide to applying for a visitor visa

Do you need a visa to visit New Zealand?

Information about this guide
You do not need a visa to visit New Zealand if one of the following
applies to you.
This guide will help you to
OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.: Date received: / / Application no.:

INZ 1017
• You are a New Zealand citizen.
Visitor Visa
Application complete the form Visitor
for a temporary stay in New Zealand • You hold a New Zealand residence class visa.
Visitor’s Visa/Permit
INZ 1018 Use the guide to help you complete the application form Visa Application (INZ 1017) or
Australian citizens and some other groups of visitors from
Guide
A guide to applying for a visitor’s visa/permit Please read the Visitor Visa Guide (INZ 1018) before you complete this application

the Visitor Visa Application

OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.:
Information about this guide
Date received: / / Application no.:

This guide will help you to

Do you need a visa or permit to visit
New Zealand?
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if one of the
form. The guide will help you decide which visa you should apply for and contains
helpful information about how to complete the application form. The guide also
following applies to you.
INZ 1017

Visitor’s Visa/Permit
Application complete the form Visitor’s Visa/
for a temporary stay in New Zealand

Use the guide to help you complete the application form

Permit Application (INZ 1017) • You are a New Zealand citizen.
Please read the Visitor’s Visa/Permit Guide (INZ 1018) before you complete this

• You hold a New Zealand residence permit or a returning

application form. The guide will help you decide which visa or permit you should

or the Visitor’s Permit

apply for and contains helpful information about how to complete the application
form. The guide also gives detailed information about the evidence and documents you need
to send.
When you have completed the form, please use the checklist at the end to make sure you
have sent all the documents and information we need.

resident’s visa.
We will process your application only when we receive all the information and documents we need.

Application for Auckland Region

If you do not send all the required information, we will return your application.
You can use this form to apply for a visa/permit for a single applicant or for a family.
A family may include a principal applicant, partner, and dependent children under 20.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007

Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 it is an offence to provide immigration advice without being licensed or

Applicants (INZ 1111). It will give • You are an Australian citizen.

exempt. If your immigration adviser is not licensed when they should be, Immigration New Zealand will return your application.

gives detailed information about the evidence and documents you need to send.
For more information and to view the register of licensed advisers, go to the Immigration Advisers Authority website
www.iaa.govt.nz or email info@iaa.govt.nz.
When filling in this form, please print clearly in English using CAPITAL LETTERS.

Section A
All principal applicants must complete this section.
Principal applicant’s personal details

Attach one passport-size photograph of yourself here. The photograph must be less than
six months old. Write your full name on the back of the photograph.
you information about coming • You are exempt from the requirement to hold a permit to
A1 Name as shown in passport
Family/last name

Given/first name(s)
4.5cm

to New Zealand as a visitor and be in New Zealand.

help you to understand the
3.5cm

A2 Preferred title Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr other (please specify)

For further information on immigration May 2010 requirements you need to meet Some other groups of visitors from overseas do not need
a visa to travel to New Zealand. See ‘Visa-waiver visitors’ on
visit www.immigration.govt.nz

if you want to visit New Zealand.

OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.: Date received: / / Application no.:
page 3.
You should read this guide
INZ 1111

Visitor’s Permit Application

for Auckland Region Applicants
before completing the
Where do you send your application

When you have completed the form, please use the checklist at the end to make sure you
for a temporary stay in New Zealand

VisitorÕs Visa/Permit
Guide
INZ 1018

A guide to applying for a visitorÕs visa/permit

Use the guide to help you complete the application form
Read the Visitor’s Visa/Permit Guide (INZ 1018) before you complete this application
form. The guide contains helpful information about how to complete the application application form. The guide gives
and documents?
Do you need a visa or permit to visit
Information about this guide New Zealand?
This guide will help you to
complete the form VisitorÕs
Visa/Permit Application
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if one of the
following applies to you.
¥ You are a New Zealand citizen.
form, and detailed information about the evidence and documents you need to send to us.
(INZ 1017) or the VisitorÕs ¥ You hold a New Zealand residence permit or a returning
Permit Application for residentÕs visa.
Auckland Region Applicants ¥ You are an Australian citizen.
(INZ 1111). It will give you ¥ You are exempt from the requirement to hold a permit to
This form is for applicants for visitor’s permits/visas who live in the Auckland region only. If you do

you information about:

information about coming to be in New Zealand.
New Zealand as a visitor and Some other groups of visitors from overseas do not need
help you to understand the a visa to travel to New Zealand. See ÔVisa-waiver visitorsÕ on
requirements you need to page 3.
meet if you want to visit New Zealand.
You should read this guide before completing
the application form. The guide gives you
Where do you send your application
and documents?
not live in the Auckland region, or you are applying for a limited purpose visa/permit, please use the
information about: Applicants who are overseas
¥ how to decide which visa or permit you need
to apply for
Send your completed application form and documents to
your nearest Immigration New Zealand ofÞce, New Zealand Visitor’s Visa/Permit Application (INZ 1017).
¥ what evidence you need to provide with your
Embassy, or New Zealand High Commission.

application form Applicants who are in New Zealand

¥ what a visitorÕs visa/permit allows you to do.

When you have completed the form, use the checklist at the end to make sure you have sent all the
Send your completed application form and documents to your
nearest Immigration New Zealand ofÞce.
For ofÞce addresses see
www.immigration.govt.nz/contactus.

documents and information we need. You do not need to supply your passport with this application.
If the application is approved, we will provide an “approval letter” instead of a permit label. You may
use the approval letter in exactly the same way that a label would be used.
For further information on immigration
visit www.immigration.govt.nz We will process your application only when we have received all the information and documents we
need. If you do not send all the required information, we will return your application.
You can use this form to apply for a permit/visa for a single applicant or for a family. A family may include a principal applicant,

• how to decide which visa or

partner, and dependent children aged under 20 years.
Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007
Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, anyone giving immigration advice will have to be licensed (unless they

Applicants who are overseas

are exempt). From 4 May 2009, all immigration advisers working in New Zealand must be licensed. From 4 May 2010, all
immigration advisers, whether working onshore or offshore, must be licensed. It is an offence to provide immigration

permit you need to apply for

advice without holding a licence from these dates. If your immigration adviser is not licensed when they should be,
Immigration New Zealand will return your application.
For more information and to view the Register of licensed advisers, go to the Immigration Advisers Authority website
www.iaa.govt.nz, email info@iaa.govt.nz, or write to them at PO Box 6222, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141, New Zealand.

When filling in this form, please print clearly in English using CAPITAL LETTERS.

have sent all the documents and information we need.

Section A
All principal applicants must complete this section.
Principal applicant’s personal details

Attach one passport-size photograph of yourself here. The photograph must be less than
six months old. Write your full name on the back of the photograph.
• what evidence you need to Send your completed application form and documents to
provide with your application
A1 Name as shown in passport

your nearest Immigration New Zealand office, New Zealand

4.5cm
Family/last name

Given/first name(s)
3.5cm

For further information on immigration

visit www.immigration.govt.nz
May 2009 form Embassy, or New Zealand High Commission.
• what a visitor’s visa/permit

overseas do not need a visa to travel to New Zealand. See

allows you to do. Applicants who are in New Zealand
Send your completed application form and documents to your
nearest Immigration New Zealand office.

We will process your application only when we receive all the information and documents we need.
For office addresses see www.immigration.govt.nz/contactus.

for Auckland Region

If you do not send all the required information, we will return your application.
You can use this form to apply for a visa for a single applicant or for a family. A family may
For further information on immigration
visit www.immigration.govt.nz
August 2010 include a principal applicant, partner, and dependent children under 20.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007

‘Visa-waiver visitors’ on page 3.

Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 it is an offence to provide immigration advice without being licensed or

Applicants (INZ 1111). It will give

exempt. If your immigration adviser is not licensed when they should be, Immigration New Zealand will return your application.
For more information and to view the register of licensed advisers, go to the Immigration Advisers Authority website
www.iaa.govt.nz or email info@iaa.govt.nz.
When filling in this form, please print clearly in English using CAPITAL LETTERS.

Section A
All principal applicants must complete this section.

Attach two passport-size photographs of yourself here.

The photographs must be less than six months old.
Principal applicant’s personal details

you information about coming

to New Zealand as a visitor and
Write your full name on the back of both photographs.

Where do you send your application and

A1 Name as shown in passport 4.5cm 4.5cm

Family/last name

3.5cm 3.5cm

help you to understand the

Given/first name(s)

documents?
A2 Preferred title Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr other (specify)

For further information on immigration

visit www.immigration.govt.nz
November 2010
requirements you need to meet
if you want to visit New Zealand.
OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.: Date received: / / Application no.:

Applicants who are overseas

You should read this guide
INZ 1111

Visitor Visa Application

for Auckland Region Applicants
for a temporary stay in New Zealand before completing the Send your completed application form and documents to
OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.:
Information about this guide
Date received: / / Application no.:

Application
INZ 1017
This guide will help you to
complete the form Visitor’s Visa/
Permit Application (INZ 1017)
Visitor’s Visa/Permit
Guide

following applies to you.

• You are a New Zealand citizen.
INZ 1018

A guide to applying for a visitor’s visa/permit

Do you need a visa or permit to visit

New Zealand?
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if one of the
Use the guide to help you complete the application form
Read the Visitor Visa Guide (INZ 1018) before you complete this application form.
The guide contains helpful information about how to complete the application
form, and detailed information about the evidence and documents you need to
application form. The guide gives your nearest Immigration New Zealand office, New Zealand
Embassy, or New Zealand High Commission.
or the Visitor’s Permit • You hold a New Zealand residence permit or a returning
Application for Auckland Region resident’s visa.

send to us.
Applicants (INZ 1111). It will give • You are an Australian citizen.

you information about:

Section A Principal applicant’s personal details
you information about coming • You are exempt from the requirement to hold a permit to
to New Zealand as a visitor and be in New Zealand.
help you to understand the
requirements you need to meet Some other groups of visitors from overseas do not need
if you want to visit New Zealand. a visa to travel to New Zealand. See ‘Visa-waiver visitors’ on
OFFICE USE ONLY Client no.: Date received: / / Application no.:
page 3.
You should read this guide
INZ 1111

before completing the

application form. The guide gives
Where do you send your application

This form is for applicants for visitor visas who live in the Auckland region only. If you do not
you information about: and documents?
• how to decide which visa or
permit you need to apply for Applicants who are overseas
• what evidence you need to Send your completed application form and documents to

live in the Auckland region, or you are applying for a limited visa, please use the Visitor Visa
provide with your application your nearest Immigration New Zealand office, New Zealand
form Embassy, or New Zealand High Commission.
• what a visitor’s visa/permit
allows you to do. Applicants who are in New Zealand
Send your completed application form and documents to your

Application (INZ 1017).

nearest Immigration New Zealand office.
For office addresses see www.immigration.govt.nz/contactus.

When you have completed the form, use the checklist at the end to make sure you have sent
all the documents and information we need. You do not need to supply your passport with this
For further information on immigration
visit www.immigration.govt.nz
August 2010 application. If the application is approved, we will provide an “approval letter” instead of a visa
label. You may use the approval letter in exactly the same way that a label would be used.

• how to decide which visa you

We will process your application only when we have received all the information and documents we need. If you do not send
all the required information, we will return your application.

Applicants who are in New Zealand

You can use this form to apply for a visa for a single applicant or for a family. A family may include a principal applicant,
partner, and dependent children aged under 20 years.

Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007

need to apply for

Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 it is an offence to provide immigration advice without being licensed or
exempt. If your immigration adviser is not licensed when they should be, Immigration New Zealand will return your application.

For more information and to view the register of licensed advisers, go to the Immigration Advisers Authority website
www.iaa.govt.nz or email info@iaa.govt.nz..

Send your completed application form and documents to your

When filling in this form, please print clearly in English using CAPITAL LETTERS.

• what evidence you need to

nearest Immigration New Zealand office.
provide with your application
For further information on immigration
visit www.immigration.govt.nz
November 2010
form For office addresses see www.immigration.govt.nz/contactus.
• what a visitor visa allows you
to do.

For further information on immigration

April 2011
visit www.immigration.govt.nz
 Contents
Information about this guide 1
Do you need a visa to visit New Zealand? 1
Where do you send your application and documents? 1

GENERAL INFORMATION 3
What is a visa? 3
What a visitor visa allows 3
Visa-waiver visitors 3
Multiple entry visas 4
Applying for a limited visa 4
Who can you include in your application? 4
How long can you visit for? 4
How much does a visitor visa cost? 5
How much money do you need when you are in New Zealand? 5
Will you be eligible for publicly-funded health care in New Zealand? 5
Interim visas 5
Special visitor categories 5
Do you need a visa to transit New Zealand? 8

GUIDE TO COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM 9

About the application form 9
Completing Sections A, C and D: Personal details 9
Completing Section B: Contact details 10
Completing Section E: Health 10
Completing Section F: Visa type 12
Completing Section G: Character 12
Completing Section I: Financial support while you are in New Zealand 13
Completing Section J: Partners of New Zealand citizens, and partners of
residence class, work, or student visa holders 14
Completing Section K: Application for a visa for the purpose of a
culturally arranged marriage 14
Completing Section L: Dependent children of Essential Skills work visa holders 14
Completing Section M: Guardians of students 14
For more information 15

2 – Visitor Visa Guide

GENERAL INFORMATION There are some special visitor categories which
allow visitors to enter New Zealand for particular
purposes. See ‘Special visitor categories’, on page 5.
What is a visa?
Visa-waiver visitors
A visa allows a person to travel to the
New Zealand border and, if they are granted If you are the holder of a current Australian
permission to enter, it allows them to remain in permanent residence visa or a current Australian
the country. If someone has a visa they apply for resident return visa, you do not need a visa
permission to enter at the border. to travel to New Zealand. You must apply for
a resident visa on arrival. You will do this by
completing an arrival card on the aircraft/ship on
What a visitor visa allows your way to New Zealand.
A visitor visa allows you to stay in New Zealand as a Some other groups of visitors from overseas do
visitor for a limited amount of time. It allows you to: not need a visa to travel to New Zealand:
• visit as a tourist • British citizens/British passport holders
intending to visit for six months or less
• visit friends or relatives
• people travelling on a United Nations laissez-
• play sport or perform in cultural events
passer intending to visit New Zealand for
without pay
three months or less
• enter New Zealand to get married
• people from a country on our list of visa-free
• undertake short-term study. countries (see below) intending to visit
A visitor visa allows you to study one or more New Zealand for three months or less.
courses of up to a total of three months in each VISA-FREE COUNTRIES
of the 12-month periods your visa is valid. Andorra Liechtenstein
Argentina Lithuania****
School-aged visitor visa holders can attend a
primary, intermediate, or secondary school for a Austria Luxembourg
single period of study of up to three months per Bahrain Malaysia
calendar year provided the study finishes within Belgium Malta
that calendar year. You are also not permitted to Brazil Mexico
study in term one of a school year if you held a Brunei** Monaco
visitor visa and undertook a single period of study Bulgaria Netherlands
in term four of the previous year. Canada Norway
Chile Oman
If you want to study for longer than three months
Cyprus Poland
you will need to apply for a student visa or visa.
Czech Republic Portugal*
What courses can you study? Denmark Qatar
Estonia**** Romania
Your course of study and education provider
Finland San Marino
must be approved by the Ministry of Education
France Saudi Arabia
to offer places to overseas students. Your
Germany Singapore
education provider must also be a signatory to
Greece***** Slovak Republic
the Ministry of Education’s Code of Practice for
Hong Kong*** Slovenia
the Pastoral Care of International Students (the
Hungary South Africa
Code) to be able to offer you a place1.
Iceland Spain
You can find out from the education provider Ireland Sweden
whether they and their courses are approved. Israel Switzerland
Visitors aged 13 and under who wish to study Italy Taiwan******
a course of up to three months at a Private Japan United Arab Emirates
Training Establishment (PTE), must also meet the Korea (South) United States of America**
guardianship requirements set out in the Code. Kuwait Uruguay

A visitor visa does not allow you to work in Latvia**** Vatican City
New Zealand. * Portuguese passport holders must have the right to live permanently in Portugal.
** Including nationals of the USA.
*** Residents of Hong Kong travelling on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or
British National (Overseas) passports.
**** Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien’s (non-citizen’s) passports
1 School aged visitors who attend a primary, issued by these countries.
intermediate, or secondary school for less than ***** Greek passport holders whose passports were issued on or after 1 January 2006
two weeks and aren’t paying any tuition fees are only. (Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are not acceptable for travel after
1 January 2007).
exempt from this requirement. ****** Permanent residents of Taiwan travelling on Taiwan passports.

Visitor Visa Guide – 3

 If you are in one of these groups, you are a ‘visa- Applying for a limited visa
waiver visitor’, and you do not need a visitor visa
to travel to New Zealand. You need to apply for a The Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017) can also be
visitor visa, but you will do this by completing an used to apply for a limited visa. You can apply for a
arrival card on the aircraft/ship on your way to limited visa if you wish to come to New Zealand for a
New Zealand. You must also: specific reason. If that reason is to study, you should
• hold a valid ticket out of New Zealand to a use the form Student Visa Application (INZ 1012).
country you have the right of entry to Holding a limited visa restricts your immigration
• have enough money to support yourself during rights when you are in New Zealand. If you
your stay are granted a limited visa you are liable for
• hold a passport valid for three months beyond deportation immediately when the visa expires,
the date you are leaving New Zealand. and you have no rights of appeal.
The visa you are granted will allow a stay in To find out whether applying for a limited visa
New Zealand of no more than six months in rather than a visitor visa is the best option
a 12-month period. The 12-month period is for you, please read the leaflet Information on
calculated backwards from the last day you Limited Visas (INZ 1070).
intend to be in New Zealand. For example, if
you want to stay until 1 December 2009, you
should count back 12 months, which will be
Who can you include in your
1 December 2008. application?
You must only visit New Zealand for the time You can include your partner and your dependent
granted to you on arrival. If you wish to visit for children in your application. Their visitor visas will
longer you will need to apply for another visitor have the same conditions as yours – if they want
visa. If you want to work, or study for longer than to study or work in New Zealand they will have to
three months, in New Zealand you will have to apply for a student or work visa.
apply for a work visa or a student visa.
Your partner can be of the same sex or opposite
sex, and can be:
Multiple entry visas
• your partner by marriage
If you are a frequent visitor to New Zealand and • your partner by civil union
you want to leave and re-enter the country, you • your partner in a de facto relationship.
will need to hold a multiple entry visitor visa.
Dependent children must be:
Under general visitor instructions • aged 19 or younger
Most applicants for visitor visas will be granted a • single, and if they are aged 18-19, must have no
multiple entry visa. If you are already in New Zealand children of their own
and your visa does not allow you to leave and • totally or substantially reliant on you or your
re-enter then you will need to apply to have the partner for financial support, whether they live
conditions of your visa varied to allow travel. with you or not.
To be eligible you must not have been in If your dependent child is aged under 18 we will
New Zealand for more than nine months in the probably not ask for evidence that they are
last 18 months. We will want to know the reasons dependent on you. If they are aged 18-19 we may
you require a multiple entry visa, and we may ask ask to see evidence that they are dependent on
you to provide evidence. you/your partner.

Under parent and grandparent

How long can you visit for?
instructions
You may be granted a multiple entry visa if you Unless otherwise stated under special
have family members in New Zealand and you are instructions, visitors to New Zealand are limited to
outside New Zealand. Under these instructions a maximum stay of nine months on a visitor visa.
you may visit your child or grandchild several However, we may allow you to stay a further
times over a three-year period. See ‘Special three months if you have financially supported
visitor categories’ on page 5. yourself and you have not worked, studied, or
been sponsored during your stay.

4 – Visitor Visa Guide

If you have recently visited New Zealand and For more information about health services, see
you wish to visit again, you should be aware the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz.
that the instructions allow a visitor to stay a
total of no more than nine months in an 18-
month period. The 18-month period is calculated
Interim visas
backwards from the last day you intend to be
If you are currently in New Zealand, hold a valid
in New Zealand. For example, if you want to stay
temporary visa and have an application for a
until 1 December 2009, you should count back
further visitor visa being considered by INZ, you
18 months, which will be 1 June 2008.
may be eligible for an interim visa. We will make a
However, if you have spent a total of 12 months decision on whether to grant you an interim visa
in New Zealand as a visitor, you will have to remain close to the day your current visa expires and will
outside New Zealand for 12 months before a further inform you by email or letter. You cannot apply for
application for a visitor visa may be approved. an interim visa and there are no fees or forms for
interim visas.
How much does a visitor visa cost? There is no guarantee that you will be granted
an interim visa. Interim visas do not have travel
For up to date information about fees: conditions and are valid for a maximum of
• see our Fees Guide (INZ 1028) six months or until a decision is reached on your
application – whichever is earlier.
• see our website www.immigration.govt.nz/fees
• contact your nearest Immigration New Zealand
office. Special visitor categories
Our New Zealand branches do not accept cash.
Most of our branches outside New Zealand do APEC Business Travel cardholders
not accept cash. If you hold an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) Travel Card, you intend to stay in
How much money do you need when New Zealand for less than three months, and you
will not be working, you may enter New Zealand
you are in New Zealand? as a visitor. However, you do not have to lodge
an application for a visa. You must receive pre-
You will need to show us that you can support clearance approval from the APEC Business Travel
yourself and anyone else included in your Card Operations, at our Christchurch branch.
application financially while you are in New Zealand When you have pre-clearance approval, you can
(see ‘Completing Section I: Financial support while board a flight to New Zealand, and may be granted
you are in New Zealand’). You will also need to show a three-month visitor visa on arrival.
us that you have tickets for your travel out of
New Zealand (or the money to buy them). Business visitors
A visitor visa allows you to visit New Zealand to
Will you be eligible for publicly- discuss and negotiate business arrangements,
funded health care in New Zealand? if your stay is no longer than three months in
any one year. If you want to stay longer than
Visitor visa holders are not generally eligible for three months, or if you will be working for gain or
publicly-funded health and disability services. reward, you must apply for a work visa . See our
Work Visa Guide (INZ 1016) for more information.
People covered by New Zealand’s reciprocal
health agreements with Australia and the Conference delegates
United Kingdom are entitled to publicly-funded
health care for immediately necessary medical If you are attending a conference in
treatment only. New Zealand, check with the organiser to see
what arrangements they have made. If you are
If you seek health care when you are in organising a conference, contact the nearest
New Zealand you should carry your passport Immigration New Zealand branch. We will tell
so that health providers can check whether you the best means of facilitating the entry of
you are eligible for publicly-funded health care. overseas delegates to New Zealand. Conference
We strongly recommend that you arrange organisers must make these arrangements in
comprehensive health insurance for your stay in advance of the conference.
New Zealand.

Visitor Visa Guide – 5

 Culturally arranged marriages • enrolled in school years 1 to 13, or aged 17 years
or younger.
If you want to visit New Zealand for the
purpose of a culturally arranged marriage to You will have to provide evidence that you are the
a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa student’s legal guardian. A ‘legal guardian’:
holder you can apply for a visitor visa which, upon • is the person who has the legal right and
arrival in New Zealand, will allow you to stay in responsibility to provide for the care (including
New Zealand for three months. education and health) of the international student
To qualify, you must genuinely intend to marry within • is the person who provides for the care of the
three months of your arrival, and to maintain the student in their home country
marriage on a long term and exclusive basis. Your • includes the student’s biological or adoptive
intended New Zealand spouse is expected to be in parents, their testamentary guardian, or their
New Zealand for the same period of time, and you court-appointed guardian.
must show evidence that the marriage follows an
If you need to stay for longer than 12 months
identified cultural tradition. There must also be no
because the student is continuing his or her
legal impediment to the marriage.
studies, your visa can be renewed for further 12-
If you intend to apply for New Zealand residence month periods, until the student reaches the age
after you arrive on the basis of your culturally of 18 years.
arranged marriage, we may ask you to provide
If you are granted a visa you must not leave
evidence that your New Zealand spouse would
New Zealand without the student you are
be eligible to support you for residence before
responsible for, and you must live with the
we grant a visitor visa. We recommend that
student for the duration of their studies. If you
you check the requirements for supporting
do not meet these conditions you may become
an application for residence under our Family
liable for deportation.
Category – Partnership Instructions. See the
Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based If you hold a visitor visa granted for the purpose
Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146). of being a guardian to a foreign fee-paying
student, you will not be eligible for a student
Your intended partner must support your
visa or a work visa under the General Work
application in writing by completing the Form
Instructions or the Specific Purpose or Event
for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based
Work Instructions. If you want to work or study
Temporary Entry Applications.
part time you will be able to apply for a variation
of conditions for part-time study or for part-
Dependent children
time work. You will only be allowed to work
If a child is travelling alone or with one parent between the hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm Monday
we may ask to see evidence that the child has to Friday inclusive, and you must have a job offer.
the right to leave their country of residence. For
For more information on which students must be
example, we may ask to see custody papers or
accompanied by a legal guardian, please refer to
guardianship papers.
the Student Visa Guide (INZ 1013).
Group visas
Medical treatment/consultation
If you are travelling in a group, and all of the
If you travel to New Zealand for medical treatment
group is travelling for the same purpose and have
and consultation you must apply for a visitor
the same travel arrangements, your group can
visa and complete the form Details of Intended
apply for a group visa. You must have a group
Medical Treatment (INZ 1009) as well as submit
leader who will take charge of the visa and arrival
a fully completed Medical and Chest X-ray
formalities. Each group member must lodge
Certificate (INZ 1007). If your need for treatment
a Group Visa Application (INZ 1021) with their
or consultation is urgent, contact us – we may be
Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017).
able to make special arrangements for you.
Guardians accompanying students to
Multiple entry visitor visa for parents
New Zealand
and grandparents of New Zealand
If you are the legal guardian of an international citizens/residence class visa holders
student you can apply for a temporary visa to live
with and care for the student. The student must be: If you have family members in New Zealand
and you wish to visit them, you may apply for a
• a foreign fee-paying student visitor visa under normal visitor instructions to

6 – Visitor Visa Guide

allow you to travel to New Zealand, or you may Partners and dependent children of
travel to New Zealand visa-free if you are a work or student visa holders
‘visa waiver visitor’.
If you are the dependent child or partner (spouse,
However, if you are the parent or grandparent civil union partner or de facto partner, including
of a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa same sex couples) of a person holding a New Zealand
holder you may like to have the flexibility of a work or student visa, you can apply for a visitor visa.
multiple entry visa, allowing you to visit your child
or grandchild several times over a three-year However, partners or dependent children
period. To do this, you may apply for a visitor visa of the holders of work visas granted under
under the parent and grandparent multiple entry the instructions relating to crew of foreign
visitor visa instructions. chartered fishing vessels or recognised seasonal
employers may not apply for a visitor visa on the
To be eligible for a visa under these instructions, basis of the status of their partner/parent.
you must apply from outside New Zealand. You
will need to complete a Medical and Chest X-ray If you are a partner of a student or work visa
Certificate (INZ 1007) and meet normal character holder, to qualify you must be living together with
requirements. You may include your partner in your partner in a genuine and stable relationship
the application but not your children. at the time the application is made. Your partner
must also intend to be in New Zealand for the
Your New Zealand sponsor must be: same period of time, and must support your
• your child or grandchild aged 17 years or older, or application in writing by completing the Form
• the New Zealand parent of your child or grandchild. for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based
Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146).
You must provide evidence of your family
relationship(s) with your sponsor. Partners of New Zealand citizens and
Your sponsor will need to complete the residence class visa holders
Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025).
If you are the spouse, civil union partner or de
They must guarantee to meet the cost of your
facto partner (including same sex couples) of a
maintenance, accommodation, repatriation (if
New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder,
necessary) and health care costs (if required).
you can apply for a visitor visa. If your partnership
The sponsor may sponsor only one person or one has existed for less than 12 months, your visa
family unit (principal applicant and their partner) will be valid for up to 12 months from the date of
at one time. your arrival. If your partnership has existed for 12
months or more, you may be granted a visa for up
If the application is approved you will be granted a
to two years from your date of arrival.
three-year multiple entry visitor visa, authorising
a visa for a visit of six months from your date To qualify, you must be in a genuine and stable
of arrival. You will not be able to extend the relationship at the time the application is made.
visa, however you will be able to enter and leave Your partner must also intend to be in New Zealand
New Zealand during the validity of your visa, as for the same period of time, and must support your
long as you do not remain in New Zealand for more application in writing by completing the Form for
than 18 months during the validity of the visa. Partners Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary
Entry Applications (INZ 1146).
Further applications under these instructions
If you intend to apply for New Zealand residence
We do not normally grant further visas under after you arrive on the basis of your relationship
these instructions within three years of the date with your New Zealand partner we may ask you
that the most recent visa was granted. to provide evidence that your partner is eligible
to support you for residence before we grant
If you have previously been granted a visa under
a visitor visa. We recommend that you check
these instructions and your sponsor was not in
the requirements for partners supporting
New Zealand during the period(s) of your visit(s)
applications for residence under our Family
to New Zealand, or if you exceeded the 18-month
Category – Partnership Instructions. See the
maximum stay on your previous visa, you will not
Form for Partners Supporting Partnership-Based
normally be eligible for a subsequent multiple
Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146).
entry visitor visa under these instructions.

Visitor Visa Guide – 7

 Residence applicants who need • you have a current visa allowing you to travel to
occupational registration in New Zealand New Zealand, or
• you are a citizen of one of the countries on the
If you have applied for residence and you need
list below, which are exempt from transit visa
New Zealand registration to work in your
requirements.
profession, you may undertake practical or
educational training for three months on a visitor Bahamas Papua New Guinea
visa. If you need longer to become registered Bermuda Paraguay
you must apply for a student visa or a work visa Bolivia Peru
before you travel to New Zealand. Colombia Philippines
Costa Rica Republic of Marshall Islands
Travellers arriving by private yacht or Ecuador Samoa
private aircraft Federated States of Solomon Islands
Micronesia
If you arrive in New Zealand in a location which
Indonesia Thailand
is not a customs port or airport, you must
Kiribati Tonga
report to a customs port or airport without
Nauru Tuvalu
delay. When you have reported you will have to
Palau Vanuatu
complete an arrival card. You will be subject to
Panama Venezuela
normal visitor requirements. A member of the
New Zealand police may arrest anyone who does If you need a transit visa you must apply on the
not report or is suspected of not reporting form Transit Visa Application (INZ 1019).
to an immigration officer. If you have to wait
out the hurricane season (October to April), or Group transit visa
undergo a refit or major repairs on your vessel,
If you are a Chinese national and you will be
we may grant you a visitor visa beyond the
transiting New Zealand with a group of Chinese
normal maximum stay. See our leaflet Guide for
nationals, you may apply for a group transit
Visitors Arriving by Yacht (INZ 1083).
visa. Each individual must apply on the form
Transit Visa Application (INZ 1019), and your
Involvement in sports events, tours, or
tour organiser or agent will need to complete
tournaments the form Group Transit Application (INZ 1155)
If you intend to travel to New Zealand to be on behalf of the group. Group transit visa
officially involved with a sports event, a tour or applications should be lodged at either our
tournament of less than three months duration Beijing branch or our Shanghai branch.
as a sports player, support staff, a match or
tournament official, or media, or broadcasting
personnel, you only require a visitor visa. If
your involvement is going to be greater than
three months in duration, you must apply for a
work visa before you travel.

Do you need a visa to transit

New Zealand?
Transit visas are only for people who will be in
New Zealand for less than 24 hours and will not
leave the transit area of the airport. If you will
be in New Zealand for more than 24 hours or you
want to leave the transit area, you will need a
visitor visa.
You do not need a transit visa if:
• you are from a country on our list of visa-free
countries (see page 3), or
• your immediate or final destination after
New Zealand is Australia, and you hold a current
visa allowing you to travel to Australia, or

8 – Visitor Visa Guide

GUIDE TO COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM

About the application form

To apply for a visitor visa, or a limited visa, you must complete and sign the form Visitor Visa Application
(INZ 1017) or, if you are applying from within the Auckland region, the Visitor Visa Application for
Auckland Region Applicants (INZ 1111), and send it to us with:
• the application fee
• all the documents we need to assess your application.
If you do not include everything we need, we will not process your application and will return it to you.

Translations of documents
If you provide a translation, it must:
• be in English; and
• be accompanied by the original document or a certified copy; and
• not be made by you, any of your family members or or an immigration adviser assisting with your
application; and
• be certified as a correct translation made by a person familiar with both languages and competent
in translation work; and
• be on the official letterhead of the translation business (if applicable); and
• have the stamp or signature of the translator or translation business; and
• be paid for by you.
Translations may be prepared by:
• the Translation Service of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs; or
• reputable people within the community who are known to translate documents accurately; or
• embassies or high commissions (if the translation is endorsed with the appropriate embassy or
high commission seal); or
• any other private or official translation business.

Completing Sections A, C and D Personal details

Passport photographs
You must attach two photographs of each person included in the application. The photographs must
be original, and taken within the last six months. The size of the photographs should be about 45mm
by 35mm. The photographs should be in good quality colour (not black and white).

A3 Other names you are known by or have ever been known by

This includes your A3 or your partner’s C3 birth name, your name from marriage or from
C3
adoption, or your English name.

A4 Your name in ethnic script

If you A4 or your partner C4 ever write your names using another script (writing system), for
C4
example Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Greek, Arabic or Cyrillic, please write that at question A4 or
C4 on your application form.

Visitor Visa Guide – 9

 A8 Passport details
C8 The passport details must be those of the passport or travel document you/your partner/your
dependent child(ren) will use to travel to and from New Zealand.
D5
If you are applying using the form Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017) you must send the
D12 passport(s) or travel document(s) with your application. They must be valid to at least
D19 three months past the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
D26 If you are applying using the form Visitor Visa Application for Auckland Region Applicants (INZ 1111) you
do not have to send the passport(s) with your application.

A11 Partnership status

You have the following options for your partnership status:
• Married/civil union (a civil union is a legally recognised union of a couple of the same or
opposite sex, with rights similar to those of marriage)
• Never married/never in civil union
• Partner (this includes being in a de facto partnership)
• Separated (this includes being separated from a civil union)
• Engaged
• Widowed
• Divorced (this includes having a dissolved civil union).
You must choose the option that describes your current, or most recent, partnership status.

Completing Section B Contact details

B5 An agent or adviser can be any person who assists you with your application. It could be a lawyer,
immigration adviser, translator, friend or family member.

B6 Online enquiries
You can check the progress of your application online by registering for our online enquiry system.
By ticking this option you will also be advised by email when your application has been decided.
This facility is only available for applications lodged at one of our offices in New Zealand (see
‘For more information’ at the end of this guide). If you elect an agent, adviser to act on your
behalf your agent, adviser will be sent instructions for making an online enquiry.

Completing Section E Health

You may need to provide us with medical certificates to show that you and every person included in
your application meet our acceptable standard of health. What you must provide depends on:
• whether you have recently sent medical certificates with another application
• how long you intend to spend in New Zealand
• what countries you have previously lived in or visited.
Children under 11 years of age and pregnant women are not required to have an X-ray, unless a
special report is needed.
If you are already in New Zealand, and you are applying for a further visa, you need to include the time
you have already spent in New Zealand, as well as the extra time you intend to be here, to decide
whether or not you need to complete a medical certificate.
Example You have been in New Zealand on a visitor or student or work visa or other temporary visa
for five months, and you want to stay for another two months. This will mean a stay in
New Zealand of more than six months in total.

10 – Visitor Visa Guide

E5 Do you intend to stay in New Zealand for less than six months?
If you intend to stay in New Zealand for less than six months in total, you do not need to provide
medical certificates.

E6 Have you recently sent a medical certificate to Immigration New Zealand?

If you or anyone included in your application have sent a medical certificate to Immigration
New Zealand and it was completed and dated by a medical practitioner within the last
24 months, you do not need to send another medical certificate for that person with this
application. Provide the details of the previous application including the name of the person(s)
who have previously sent us a medical certificate, the date of their application, and the type of
visa they applied for. We will tell you if we need any further information, such as tests, reports,
or updated medical certificates.

E7 How long do you intend to stay in New Zealand?

We need to know how long you are spending in New Zealand in total so that we can decide
whether you need to complete a medical certificate, and which certificate you need to complete.
E8
√ If you are coming to New Zealand for more than six months but not more than 12 months you
must answer these questions. See the list below, and then read the examples to help you decide
E9
if you need to provide us with an X-ray Certificate for Temporary Entry (INZ 1096).

Countries, areas, and territories with a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB)

Andorra France Netherlands
Antigua and Barbuda Greece New Zealand
Australia Germany Norway
Austria Grenada Oman
Barbados Iceland Puerto Rico
Belgium Ireland Saint Kitts and Nevis
Bermuda Israel (including the Occupied Palestinian Saint Lucia
British Virgin Islands Territory, and including East Jerusalem) San Marino
Canada Italy Slovenia
Cayman Islands Jamaica Sweden
Chile Jordan Switzerland
Costa Rica Lebanon Trinidad and Tobago
Cuba Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Turks and Caicaos Islands
Cyprus Liechtenstein United Arab Emirates
Czech Republic Luxembourg United Kingdom
Denmark Malta United States of America
Dominica Monaco United States Virgin Islands
Finland Montserrat Vatican City
Netherlands Antilles

E8 If everyone included in your application is from a place on the list above, go to E9 on the form.
Any person included in your application who is from a place not on the list above must complete
an X-ray Certificate for Temporary Entry (INZ 1096). See example 1.
Example 1 You hold a Chinese passport and you live in China, which is not on the list above. This
means that you must complete an X-ray Certificate for Temporary Entry (INZ 1096).

E9 You do not have to provide a medical certificate for anyone included in your application who:
• normally lives in one of the places on the list above, and
• has not spent a total of three months or more in the past five years in a place that is not on
the list above. See example 2.
Example 2 You hold a French passport and you live in France, which is on the list above. You have
not spent more than three months in a place that is not on the list. You do not need
to provide a medical certificate.

Visitor Visa Guide – 11

 You do have to complete an X-ray Certificate for Temporary Entry (INZ 1096) if you are from one
of the places on the list above, but you have spent a total of three months or more in the last
five years in a place that is not on the list above. See example 3.
Example 3 You hold a British passport and you live in the United Kingdom, which is on the list
above.
However, in the last five years, you spent five weeks in Thailand and eight weeks in
Fiji. Thailand and Fiji are not on the list above, and you have spent a total of at least
three months in a place which is not on the list above. You must complete an X-ray
Certificate for Temporary Entry (INZ 1096).

Completing Section F Visa type

F1 Applying for a visitor visa (offshore)

Tick ‘Applying for a visitor visa (offshore)’ if:
• you are outside New Zealand, and
• you want to come to New Zealand to visit.
Applying for a visitor visa (onshore)
Tick ‘Applying for a visitor visa (onshore)’ if:
• you are already in New Zealand, and
• you hold a work visa, a student visa, visitor visa, or other temporary visa and
• you want to apply for a visa to stay in New Zealand (without working or studying full time)
after your current visitor/work/student/other temporary visa expires.
Make sure you allow enough time for us to make a decision on your application before your
current visa expires.

Applying for a limited visa

Read ‘Applying for a limited visa’ in the General Information section before you apply for a limited
visa. You should apply for a limited visa if:
• you are outside New Zealand, and
• you need a limited visa to travel to New Zealand for an ‘express purpose’.
You must list the reasons why you need a limited visa at F3

Applying for a further limited visa

Read ‘Applying for a limited visa’ in the General Information section before you apply for a limited
visa. You can apply for a further limited visa if:
• you are in New Zealand, and
• you already hold a limited visa that will not last long enough for you to achieve the ‘express
purpose’ that the visa was granted for.
You must list the reasons why you need a further limited visa at F3

Completing Section G Character

If you are applying for a visitor visa you may have to provide us with evidence of your character. If you
intend to stay in New Zealand for 24 months or longer, including time you have already spent here on
a student visa, work visa, visitor visa, or other temporary visa you must provide police certificates
from:
• your country of citizenship, and
• any country in which you have lived for five years or more since the age of 17 years.
If you have already provided police certificates with another application that were granted within the
last six months you do not have to provide more certificates. You will need to provide details of the
previous application with your current application. For more information, see our website
www.immigration.govt.nz/policecertificate.

12 – Visitor Visa Guide

 Completing Section I Financial support while you are in New Zealand
You must provide evidence that you can cover accommodation costs, living costs and travel out of
New Zealand for you and everyone included in your application. The evidence that you have to provide
depends on whether you have a sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder,
and what they will provide for you.
If you have a sponsor they must complete the form Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025).
They must agree to provide you with:
• financial support (maintenance) in New Zealand and
• accommodation in New Zealand and
• the cost of airfares out of New Zealand.

I1 Evidence of financial support and accommodation

You have a sponsor

If you have a sponsor you must provide the completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry
(INZ 1025) and the evidence requested in that form.

You do not have a sponsor

If you do not have a sponsor you must provide:
• evidence that you have NZ$1000 per month for each person included in your application or
• evidence that you have NZ$400 per month for each person included in your application, and
evidence that each person’s accommodation costs are already paid.

What type of evidence of funds is acceptable?

Acceptable evidence of your funds includes:
• photocopies of travellers’ cheques
• bank drafts
• letters of credit
• bank statements in your name.
• You must not send cash or original evidence of funds.

I2 Travel out of New Zealand

You must provide evidence that you and each person included in your application have the means
to leave New Zealand. This can be either:
• a copy of a fully paid travel ticket out of New Zealand to a country which you have the right to
enter (do not send original travel tickets) or
• evidence that you have enough money to purchase a ticket out of New Zealand or
• a completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025) showing that your sponsor
has agreed to buy you an outward travel ticket.
Note that any non-refundable travel arrangements are made at your own risk, and will not
affect the outcome of your application. Do not send original travel tickets. You must have the
right to enter the country that you will be travelling to.

Visitor Visa Guide – 13

 Completing Section J Partners of New Zealand citizens, and partners of
residence class, work, or student visa holders
If you are applying for a visa on the basis of your partnership with a New Zealand citizen, residence
class visa holder, or work or student visa holder, your partner must complete a Form for Partners
Supporting Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146) and you must submit it with
your application.

J3 Minimum requirements for the recognition of a partnership

To meet the minimum requirements for the recognition of a partnership you and your partner
must not be close relatives, you must have previously met each other when the application is
made, and you must both be:
• aged 18 years or older or
• aged 16 or 17 years old and have your parent(s) or guardian(s) support for the application.

Completing Section K Application for a visa for the purpose of a culturally

arranged marriage
If you are applying for a visa for the purpose of a culturally arranged marriage with a New Zealand
citizen/residence class visa holder, your intended spouse must complete a Form for Partners Supporting
Partnership-Based Temporary Entry Applications (INZ 1146) and you must submit it with your application.

Completing Section L Dependent children of Essential Skills work visa holders

If your parent(s) holds an Essential Skills work visa you will need to provide evidence their wages or
salaries meet the minimum income threshold of NZ$33,675 per annum gross.
Acceptable evidence includes original or certified copies of a job offer with salary or wages equal to or
higher than the minimum income threshold.
If both of your parents hold an Essential Skills work visa, both wages or salaries may be taken into
account when determining if the minimum income threshold is met.
Note: if the minimum income threshold is not met your visitor visa application may be declined.

Completing Section M Guardians of students

If you are applying for a visitor visa to live with and care for an overseas student who requires a
guardian to accompany them in New Zealand, you must provide evidence that you are the legal
guardian of that student, such as:
• the student’s birth certificate or adoption papers (if you are their parent)
• court documents (if you are their court-appointed guardian)
• relevant legal documents if you are a testamentary guardian (that is, you were named as guardian
in their parent’s will, and their parent is deceased).

14 – Visitor Visa Guide

For more information
If you have questions about any of the information in this guide:
• see our website www.immigration.govt.nz
• telephone our call centre on 0508 558 855 (within New Zealand)
• contact one of Immigration New Zealand’s offices.
Immigration New Zealand has offices in Apia, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong,
Jakarta, London, Manila, Moscow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Nuku’alofa, Pretoria, Shanghai, Singapore, Suva,
Sydney and Taipei.
Our New Zealand offices are located in Auckland, Henderson, Manukau, Hamilton, Palmerston North,
Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.
You can also contact your nearest New Zealand Embassy or New Zealand High Commission.

Visitor Visa Guide – 15

16 – Visitor Visa Guide