Considering a Trip to New Zealand? You’ll have to apply for a New Zealand Visa. There are two types of visas you might be required to apply for. You’ll have to apply for a visitor’s visa or a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority, for short, the NZeTA.
How do you know which visa you’ll need to apply for? It depends on the passport you have. If you travel using a passport from a visa-waiver country, you’ll need the NZeTA. If you have a U.S. Passport, you’re included. Find out if your passport is from a visa-waiver country here.
If you’re not from a visa-waiver country or territory, you will most likely apply for a visa using New Zealand’s tourist visa. You will also apply using a tourist visa if you meet any of the following:
- You are planning to visit for more than three months ( Six months if from the UK)
- If you have any severe health problems that could be a danger to public health
- You have a criminal history (primarily if you served time in prison or had involvement in criminal or terrorist groups
How To Apply
You can apply for your New Zealand Visa Online. Applying for a New Zealand Visa is now quicker and a lot cheaper than it would be using a mail-in paper application. Keep in mind that there are a few application processing fees that depend on the visa you are applying for. If your application happens to get denied, you will not receive a refund.
Before you apply, visit immigration.govt.nz. for insightful visa, safety, and travel tips regarding New Zealand. If you can’t apply online for one reason or another, you can also find paper applications on the government website we provided above.
When you’re ready to apply online, you must sign up for a RealMe account. RealMe is the New Zealand government’s authentication and identity verification tool.
What do You Need to Apply for a New Zealand Visa?
You will need a few documents to gather for your visa application. These documents should help you prove the following:
- You can afford or have already purchased a return ticket home from New Zealand
- You are in good health and have good character
- That you have enough money to sustain yourself financially, or you have financial support.
- your identity
Proving Your Identity
To Prove your identity on your New Zealand visa application, you must provide a photo and a valid passport. You must provide two photos if you are applying through a paper application. In some cases, a certificate of identity can waive the passport requirement.
You must follow the requirements for your application photo. The government will likely only accept your photo and application if you follow their guidelines. Remember that your application photo is NOT the same as a passport photo.
Basic Photo Requirements for an Online Application:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1200 pixels and 2250 x 3000 pixels
- a JPG (or JPEG) file.
- Your photo must be taken 1.5 meters from your face
- Take your photo against a plain, white, or off-white background.
- No selfies
- Do not smile, or frown
- Long hair must be tucked behind your ears
- Remove headgear or hats (unless for medical or religious purposes)
- Remove sunglasses. Eyeglasses are acceptable, but your eyes must be visible in the photo.
- Avoid patterns on clothing.
- The photographer must take the photo in portrait mode, not landscape
- There must be even lighting with minimal shadows.
Having a Valid Passport
For Entry into New Zealand, you need a passport with at least six months left before expiring. If you are applying for a student, work, or tourist visa, you must upload a high-quality scan of your passport. The government will let you know if you need to send your passport for review.
If you do not have a valid passport to enter New Zealand, you may have to apply for a new passport or a passport renewal. Need to rush your passport? You can apply with us, The Passport Office. Our fastest processing speed will get you your passport in as little as three days!
Proving You are in Good Health
Certain tourists may be asked to provide X-ray scans to prove their good health. You may be required to provide x-ray scans if you:
- plan to stay in New Zealand for twelve or more months.
- Stay in New Zealand for six or more months, and the country you are traveling from has a high risk of TB
- Are applying for a parent or grand visitor visa.
Proving You are in Good Character
To prove your good character, you may need to provide police certificates. If you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than twenty-four months and are over 17 years old, you will need to provide police certificates from any country you are a citizen of. You may also provide a police certificate from any country where you have spent more than five years since you turned 17.
Funds, sponsorship, and Healthcare
To live in New Zealand, you must make at least $1000NZD per month ($400NZD if you have paid accommodations) if you are in the country, or you must be sponsored by someone who does. You will also be required to pay healthcare costs during your stay in New Zealand.
Receive your visa
Once your New Zealand Visa application is approved, you’ll receive a label in your passport or a letter. The label should have the date your visa expires. You will be required to exit the country before the listed date.
What if You Need a Passport?
As mentioned earlier, you need at least six months of validity on your passport before you can enter New Zealand. You can generally apply through the state department at a courthouse or post office if you need a passport. However, if you need your passport fast, you can contact The Passport Office.
The Passport Office has serviced those who need their passport expedited for over two decades. Apply for your new passport or renewal in Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Hollywood, or Tampa.
