Planning a visit to New Zealand? Our guide provides the latest information on NZ visitor visa policies. This material is for information purposes only. Take advice from a Malcolm Pacific Immigration Licensed Immigration Adviser to understand your individual visa options.

A visitor visa allows entry to New Zealand for a limited period of time, without the right to study*, work**, or reside in New Zealand.

*excluding short courses totalling up to 3 months of study in a 12 month period.

**excluding “digital nomads”. See advice below.

A visitor visa will always have an expiry date. It is the traveller’s responsibility to comply with any conditions and to leave the country by the expiry date (or apply for an extension).

Because it is the most temporary of visas, a visitor visa is often associated with few conditions if the traveller is from “low risk” countries, although travellers from “high risk” regions may find themselves required to apply in advance and meet rigorous standards.

What Should You Do?

If you’re looking at visiting New Zealand, here are a few tips:

• Book your travel early. Check with your travel agent, or the official New Zealand government website to see if a person of your nationality is able to come to New Zealand “visa-free” (visa-free passport holders need to apply online for an electronic travel authority at least 72 hours before travelling to New Zealand), or whether you need to apply for a visa in advance. The visa free lists change. Only rely on up-to-date official information.
• Be honest. Do not try to be clever.
• If you have any historical issues such as criminal convictions (even if minor), health issues, deportation, or prior visa or border refusals, consult a Licensed Immigration Adviser for help.
• Make it your business to know any conditions or expiry dates associated with whatever visa you hold or are given. (Visas are usually issued electronically but may be a visa label inside your passport if requested at the time of application. You are always expected to know what conditions and expiry dates apply). Save a copy of your electronic visa on your smart device that you carry when entering New Zealand.
• Digital nomads may remote work in New Zealand while holding a Visitor Visa provided; they are not working for a New Zealand employer, and not offering goods or services to a New Zealand business or person in exchange for a gain or reward (includes monetary payments or some other payment [e.g. free accommodation, free food etc]), and remote work is not the main reason for entering New Zealand (the purpose of visiting is for sightseeing or visiting family).
• If you need to extend or modify your visa after arrival, get help from one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers

What to consider before visiting

Check out NZ Customs when visiting New Zealand. As a nation island we have strict rules about what visitors can bring and take with them. When in doubt don’t bring it with you – especially if it is food, plants or seeds.  

For the best advice of what to see and do while in New Zealand, we recommend you visit the official New Zealand government tourism website

About NZeTA

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is a mandatory travel authorisation for certain travellers visiting or transiting through New Zealand. It is not a visa, but a pre-travel requirement introduced to enhance border security.

Who Needs an NZeTA:

• Visa Waiver Country Citizens: Travellers from countries that have visa waiver agreements with New Zealand must obtain an NZeTA before travelling. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many European nations.
  
• Cruise Ship Passengers: All cruise ship passengers, regardless of nationality, need an NZeTA to enter New Zealand.
  
• Transit Passengers: Individuals transiting through any New Zealand International Airport from visa waiver countries must have an NZeTA, even if New Zealand is not their final destination.

Key Points:

• Validity: An NZeTA is valid for multiple visits and lasts up to 2 years.
  
• Processing Time: It is recommended to request an NZeTA at least 72 hours before departure, as processing may take up to 72 hours.
  
• Application Methods: You can request an NZeTA through the official Immigration New Zealand website or via their mobile app. A small processing fee is charged. Watch out for fake websites.  

Check out if you need an NZeTA and apply online. If you need immigration advice contact our team.

Special categories of Visitor Visas

There are many special categories of visitor visas designed for people travelling to New Zealand for reasons other than tourism. We have set out the most popular special categories below. If your visit to New Zealand is not covered by any of these special categories contact our team of visa experts for advice. We can help assess if there are other visa categories that may apply to your situation.

Business Visitors

A businessperson visiting New Zealand for no more than 3 months in any one year is not regarded as working provided they meet one of the following conditions.

1. Are representatives on official trade missions recognised by the New Zealand Government; or
2. Are sales representatives of overseas companies in New Zealand for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year; or
3. Are overseas buyers of New Zealand goods or services for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year; or
4. Are people undertaking business consultations or negotiations in New Zealand on establishing, expanding, or winding up any business enterprise in New Zealand, or carrying on any business in New Zealand, involving the authorised representatives of any overseas company, body or person for a period or periods no longer than a total of 3 months in any calendar year.

If a businessperson needs to be in New Zealand for longer than 3 months in any one year or do not meet any of the conditions above they should apply for a work visa. Take advice from the immigration experts at Malcolm Pacific Immigration.

If applying for residence is of interest you might want to consider applying for an Active Investor Plus visa.

Partners and/or dependent children of student or work visa holders

In limited circumstances partners and dependent children of a person who holds a student or work visa may be granted visitor visas to enter New Zealand for the same period of time as the visa holder.

Special conditions apply. These conditions can include earning a minimum income requirement for the person holding the work visa before family can join them or that the job in New Zealand is at a certain skill level before family can apply. Talk to one of our advisers to find out if your partner and children can apply for these visitor visas.

Partners of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders

Partners of kiwis or residents can apply for a visitor visa to travel with or join their partner. There are some conditions that must be met for a visitor visa application to be successful. These include:

• Proving your relationship is genuine and stable; and
• You are living with your partner; and
• Your partner will be in New Zealand at the same time as you; and
• You and your partner meet specific character requirements; and
• You are of good health.

Visas under this category can be valid for up to 3 years. If you have lived with your partner for less than 12 months the visa will be valid for 12 months but can be extended later. While you know your relationship is genuine proving that to the high standard expected in a visitor visa application can be challenging.

If you want to learn more about applying for residence based on your partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident read our partnership residence page.

Dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders

Children of kiwis or residents can apply to join their parent for up to 9 months. In some cases the visa can be extended once the child is in New Zealand up to a maximum period of 2 years. There are special conditions including:

• The parent is going to be in New Zealand at the same as the child; and
• If parents are separated or divorced proof of custody and travel permission may be required for children under the age of 16; and
• Relationship to the New Zealand parent is provided.

Children aged 17 to 2 (inclusive) who have applied for residence under the Dependent child family category may be granted work rights for up to 20 hours of work per week and full time over the summer holidays (1 December to 31 January).

We help families reunite. You can read about applying for residence under the Dependent Child category on our dedicated residence page.

Children entering New Zealand for adoption

Children who are going to be adopted by New Zealand citizens or resident under the New Zealand Adoption Act may apply for a visitor via valid for 6 months. There are certain requirements that must be met before a visa application will be approved. Immigration New Zealand will want to see:

• Support from the Ministry of Children – Oranga Tamariki
• The child’s birth certificate
• Evidence the adopting parents are New Zealand citizens or residents

The visa can be extended  once the child is in New Zealand provided an interim adoption order has been issued by the New Zealand family court and the Ministry of Children – Oranga Tamariki update Immigration New Zealand on the progress of the adoption.

Children adopted overseas before their New Zealand citizenship is confirmed

Children travelling to New Zealand with their adoptive parents may be granted a 6 month visitor visa if an application for New Zealand citizenship has been lodged and the overseas adoption would have the same effect as a New Zealand adoption (take advice on this critical point).

Further visas may be granted provided Immigration New Zealand is satisfied the citizenship application is still under process.

Adopting children from overseas is complex and takes time. If you are thinking about adopting a child from overseas contact the Ministry of Children – Oranga Tamariki and with an experience Malcolm Pacific Immigration adviser. You will need to engage a lawyer who specialises in overseas adoptions. We can refer you to a specialist.

Culturally arranged marriage

Someone intending to have a culturally arranged marriage in New Zealand can apply for a 3 month visitor visa. Immigration New Zealand need to be satisfied it is a genuine culturally arranged marriage and:

• The New Zealand citizen or resident partner supports the visa application; and
• The New Zealand citizen or resident partner qualifies to support the application; and
• The New Zealand citizen or resident partner is of good character; and
• There is no legal reason why the couple cannot marry; and
• The marriage will take place within 3 months of the visa holder arrival in New Zealand.

These visa applications typically have high decline rates. We recommend you get professional immigration advice as soon as possible to avoid problems.

Parent and grandparent multiple entry visitor visas

This visa is designed for people wanting to spend longer periods of time with close family in New Zealand. Parents or grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents can apply for and receive a 3 year multiple entry visitor visa. Visa holders can spend up to 18 months in New Zealand over the life of the 3 year visa. However, each visit can only be for a maximum of 6 months. Parents or grandparents need to leave the country before the visa expires just for a short period of time and then re-enter the country to be granted another 6 month visa on arrival.

There are some rules to qualify for approval:

• The visa application is lodged when the parent or grandparent is outside of New Zealand; and
• Visa applicants are of good health and character; and
• Sponsored by the New Zealand citizen or resident child; and
• Prove the family relationship.

These visa applications can be an emotional roller-coaster because they involve close family. Avoid the stress, cost and risk of failure by talking to an experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser.

There are options for parents to apply for residence set out on our special Parent Residence categories page.  

Entertainment Acts

Entertainers and their support crew can be granted visitor visas if they are coming to New Zealand for short term live performances and their acts are promoted by an approved local promotor.

Promotors who have been approved by Immigration New Zealand to support overseas entertainers are on a special list. Immigration Officers refer to this list when assessing visa applications from entertainers and support crew. If someone is not from a visa free country they will need to apply for a visa. Someone holding a passport from a visa free country may be granted a visa on arrival.

Organising and promoting overseas acts to perform in New Zealand is expensive and requires a lot of preparation work. Let our team manage the visa applications so you can get on with promoting the acts.  

Visitors arriving by yacht or private aircraft

Anyone arriving on yacht in New Zealand or on a private aircraft still need to meet normal visa and/or NZeTA entry requirements.

If living onboard the yacht while in New Zealand each person must have evidence of NZD 400 per month in support funds. If leaving the country by commercial aircraft or ship a valid outward ticket must be held on arrival.

In some cases visas can be extended beyond the normal maximum period if repairs to a yacht are required or crew want to wait for the South Pacific hurricane season to pass (October to April).