Visitor Visa

Purpose

This visa allows people to visit New Zealand for a holiday, recreation,  to visit family and/or friends, business consulation and medical treatment. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months. 

If you are not from a visa-free country, you will need to apply for a visitor visa before you come to New Zealand.

Requirements

When you apply for a visitor visa, we want to know that: 

• you are in good health
• you are of good character; and
• the visa you are applying for matches your intentions for your visit.

 ‘Lawful purpose’ for visitors

We consider you to be coming to New Zealand for a lawful purpose if you are a visitor coming for the purposes of:

• holidaying
• sightseeing
• family and social visits
• amateur sport
• business consultation
• medical treatment
• guest of Government visits. 

Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand

You will need to show us proof that you have plans and the means to leave within the period of your visa. Suitable proof may include: 

• actual travel tickets (confirmed or open-dated) out of New Zealand to a country which you have the right to enter; or
• written confirmation from an airline or travel agency that onward travel has been booked and paid for. 

Evidence of funds

You will also need to show us proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This means you have a minimum of: 

• NZ$1000 per person per month of the visit, or
• NZ$400 per person per month if accommodation has already been paid for – we will require proof of prepayment, such as hotel prepaid vouchers. 

Acceptable evidence of sufficient funds can be demonstrated in the form of: 

• cash
• travellers’ cheques
• bank drafts
• recognised credit cards with sufficient credit available – it is recommended that visitors have an up-to-date credit card statement. 

Other acceptable evidence is a declaration by an acceptable sponsor that they will pay for your accommodation and maintenance. See the Sponsorship for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025) PDF. 

How long can I stay?

The maximum stay under a visitor visa is nine months. Visa-free visitors are initially granted a three month visitor visa (or six if you are from the United Kingdom), you will need to apply for a further visitor visa if you wish to stay longer in New Zealand. 

We usually only allow visitors to stay for nine months in an 18-month period.