Visa Types
New Zealand Visa Process Demystified
Find out what documents you need to travel, visit family And friends, do business, or transit through New Zealand.
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Visa Exemption for New Zealand
People from certain countries don’t need to get a visa before they go to New Zealand, but they must have something called an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). If you’re planning a short visit to New Zealand, you should apply for an NZeTA before you travel if you’re from a country on the visa waiver list and you’re staying for up to 3 months (or up to 6 months if you’re a British citizen). However, if you’re coming to New Zealand for medical reasons, even if you’re from a visa waiver country, you still need to apply for a visa. Here’s a list of the countries whose citizens can get an NzeTA.
These countries and territories, including Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia (citizens only), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (residents with HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, South, Kuwait, Latvia (citizens only), Liechtenstein, Lithuania (citizens only), Luxembourg, Macau (only if you have a Macau Special Administrative Region passport), Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal (if you have the right to live permanently in Portugal), Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (if you are a permanent resident), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK) (if you are traveling on a UK or British passport that shows you have the right to reside permanently in the UK), United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals), Uruguay, and Vatican City.
Key Points for New Zealand Visit Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to New Zealand?
Yes, Indians need visa to travel to New Zealand
New Zealand visa application is made online or offline?
This visa application must be made online from the govt official website
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a New Zealand visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a New Zealand visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a visit visa?
On a visit visa, you can stay for up to 9 months.
What kind of visa will we acquire from New Zealand?
The embassy will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport. You will receive an E-Visa from the Embassy, which you can access through your Account.
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
For Visitor Visa- NZD $246
Click here for more information
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- To identify the appropriate visa type for New Zealand, determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, work, study, or joining family, as each category has specific visa requirements.
- Visit the official website of Immigration New Zealand or consult the nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate for comprehensive information on visa categories, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.
- Carefully review the documentation, financial, and health requirements for the chosen visa type to ensure a successful visa application process for New Zealand.
To begin your visa application process, you can visit the Immigration New Zealand website and apply online. Alternatively, you can download the visa application form from the website, complete it, and print it out. Then, you can bring the completed form along with the required supporting documents to the Visa Application Centre for submission. You can also submit your application by post/mail if you prefer. The Visa Application Centre accepts submissions in person, through an authorized representative, or by post during business hours.
To apply for a visa, you will need to choose a Visa Application Centre and schedule an appointment to submit your application in person. Alternatively, you can send your application by courier or mail to the NZVAC address. After booking your appointment, you will receive an appointment confirmation email and letter if you are applying in person. It's important to note that walk-ins are not allowed, and individual appointments must be booked for each family or group member. This is done to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the application process.
After deciding on the visa you need to apply for, you must pay the visa application fee. If you apply online, payment will be made during the application process. If you download the application form, payment can be made at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment. Check the links provided for information on the visa fees and VFS Global service fees.
Submitting your visa application involves visiting the Visa Application Centre in person or sending an authorized representative to submit it on your behalf. You will need to bring all the required documents, the visa application form, and the payment of the visa application fee. The staff at the Visa Application Centre will verify that all the required documents are present, accept payment of the visa application fee, and will help you with any queries related to your visa application. Once your application is accepted, you will be given a receipt, which you should keep safe as it will be required later in the process.
After submitting your visa application, you will receive a decision from Immigration New Zealand via email. If you want to keep track of the progress of your application or get detailed tracking information for your return courier, you may also be able to sign up for SMS updates directly to your phone. Check with the Visa Application Centre you applied at to see if this service is available.
After we have completed the processing of your visa application and verified that all the necessary documents are submitted, we will return your documents to you either in-person or by courier. In some Visa Application Centres, documents are only returned via courier. Please note that the return of your documents may take a few business days depending on your location. We advise you to track your return courier to ensure its safe and timely delivery.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Here’s a comprehensive document checklist for applying for a New Zealand Visitor Visa from India, covering various categories including Tourist Visa, Visitor Visa, Business Visa, and Transit Visa:
1. Valid Passport:
- Valid passport with a validity of at least six months beyond your intended stay in New Zealand.
- Copies of the bio page and any pages with stamps or visas.
2. Completed Application Form:
- Create RealMe Account to apply for New Zealand Visa.
- Ensure all sections are completed accurately and signed.
3. Digital Photographs:
- Provide two recent passport-sized photographs for each applicant.
- Follow the specifications provided by the Newzealand authorities.
4. Proof of Identity:
- Copy of your national identity card (if applicable).
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Divorce or separation certificate (if applicable).
- Adoption certificate (if applicable).
5. Travel Documents:
- Flight itinerary or confirmed round-trip tickets.
- Hotel reservations or accommodation details for your stay in New Zealand.
- Travel insurance coverage for the duration of your visit to New Zealand.
6. Financial Documents:
- Bank statements for the past six months to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your expenses in New Zealand.
- Proof of employment, such as employment letter, pay slips, or income tax returns.
- Business registration documents and financial statements (if self-employed).
- Sponsorship letter and supporting financial documents (if applicable).
7. Ties to India:
- Property ownership documents.
- Proof of employment or business ties in India.
- Family records or documents to demonstrate close family ties in India.
- Any other documents that prove your intention to return to India after your visit.
8. Additional Documents:
- Previous travel history, including copies of visas and entry/exit stamps.
- Marriage certificate or wedding photographs (if visiting for a wedding ceremony).
- Any other relevant supporting documents based on your specific circumstances.
9. Purpose of Visit:
- Tourist Visa:
- Detailed travel itinerary outlining the places you plan to visit in New Zealand.
- Proof of hotel bookings or accommodation arrangements.
- Sightseeing or tour reservations (if applicable).
- Visitor Visa:
- Letter of invitation from a Newzealand host (if visiting friends or relatives).
- Detailed itinerary of your visit, including activities and events.
- Proof of family relationship or ties to the host (if applicable).
- Business Visa:
- Letter of invitation from the Newzealand company or organization you will be visiting.
- Proof of business activities, such as meeting agendas or conference invitations.
- Proof of your employment or business ties in India.
- Transit Visa:
- Confirmed flight tickets for your onward travel.
- Valid visa for your final destination (if required).
- Proof of transit purpose, such as hotel reservations or connecting flight details.
Remember to carefully review the official guidelines provided by the New Zealand immigration authorities and provide all necessary supporting documents. It’s also recommended to submit certified copies of original documents whenever possible and to retain copies of all documents for your records.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
To submit our visa application, we need to provide a list of forms as required.
You need a RealMe account to apply for a visa online. RealMe is designed to protect yourprivacy and is a service used by many New Zealand businesses and government departments.
RealMe Account: Login or create account
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Please find below a step-by-step guide on the process of acquiring a visa.
- Decide which visa to apply for: Check these visa options to make sure you apply for the correct one. You can also check the requirements you need to meet for each visa, the application process, and how long it may take.
- Prepare your documents: During the application you need to upload documents and photos to show us that you meet the visa requirements
- Create a RealMe account: For most visas you need a RealMe account before you can access the online application.
- Complete your online application and pay– Upload any supporting documents and photographs and pay the fee. You can pay by credit card (Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay).
- Biometrics: Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may be required to provide biometric information such as fingerprints and photograph.
- Wait for processing: Once you have submitted your application and required documents, wait for the processing time to receive a decision.
- Collect your passport from VFS Centre: YourPassports and documents will be returned either in-person or by courier. In some Visa Application Centres, documents are only returned via courier.
It is important to note that the specific requirements and processes may vary depending on individual circumstances. It is recommended to consult the official Immigration New Zealand website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.