Do I need a visa to New Zealand if I want to visit the country? Whether you will need a visa or not will depend on your nationality. The government of New Zealand currently offers citizens of more than 60 countries visa exemptions so they can enter the country visa-free and stay for up to 3 months. Those who want to stay much longer must apply for a visa despite their nationality.
Do I Need A Visa to New Zealand or ETA?
One cause for confusion among travelers to New Zealand is whether they need a visa or an ETA permit because both are entry documents, but ETA is for short-term entry and cannot be used as a long term document or international visitor conservation. In fact, it is not a visa in the real sense, but many call it one. ETA is only open to foreigners from selected countries and is only for short visits.
Types of New Zealand Visa and Entry Documents
Here are the types of entry documents for visitors who are not eligible for visa-free entry because they are not from a transit visa waiver country.
ETA: The ETA is a visa waiver that grants certain nationals the freedom to enter and stay in the country for up to three months. This document is available online and issued within 72 hours or less.
Visitor Visa: A Visitor Visa is for persons coming to visit family and friends in New Zealand. This visa allows them to spend quality time in the country for noncommercial purposes.
Student Visa: A student visa is for international students studying in New Zealand. It allows the student to work, but the work time is limited.
Work Visa: This one is for office workers in the country. It is mainly issued to persons who have secured a job in the skilled worker category. Holders will be issued a work visa and residence permit once they arrive in New Zealand.
Resident Visa: This one is for retirees or long-term settlers in New Zealand. Persons with residency visas have the same rights as New Zealanders.
These visas have different features, so the one you apply for should reflect your needs.
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority Application Requirements
Valid passport with six months left as a bare minimum on arrival
Itinerary
Proof of accommodation
Travelers with New Zealand ETA are not allowed to work in the country as it is only issued for tourism. They also have the option to apply for a multiple-entry version, which lasts for two years. Interested applicants should follow these steps to apply online
Visit VisaHQ
Choose New Zealand as your destination
Choose your Country of citizenship
Fill out the application form
Attach the required documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
Requirements For New Zealand Visa
The requirements for a New Zealand visa are more extensive than ETA, and the embassy will ask you to submit the following.
Valid Passport: You need a valid passport that must meet all the acceptable criteria, such as a minimum of 6 months validity and two empty pages.
Form: A completed visa application form containing your details, passport information, and travel details. The form should be signed by you, not a third party.
Photo: A recent and clear passport-sized photograph taken on a white background for online applications and two for paper applications.
Medical Insurance: Proof of medical insurance to cover any emergency medical bills incurred during your visit. The insurance policy must be active and updated.
Proof of Funds: Evidence of funds to prove that you have the financial resources to fund your trip and expenses. The amount is not the same for all nationalities but is set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs using different metrics and factors. The proof may be a bank statement, pay slip, employment agreement, etc.
Visa Receipt: The embassy will request the visa receipt as proof that you have paid the visa application fee, so endeavor to attach it to your application.
Round Trip Itinerary: Round trip flight ticket reservation and trip itinerary.
Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservation or a verified house address in New Zealand.
These are the documents the embassy will request for your visa. Only visa applicants who meet the travel requirements will be issued visas.
Processing Time
The processing time will depend on several factors, such as the country, the volume of applications, and the internal processes of the embassy. After submitting your application, you must attend the interview; it is only after the interview that the proper processing starts. Plan for at least 15 working days after the interview to get the visa.
Do I need a visa to New Zealand? You only need a visa if you are not a citizen of one of the more than 60 countries on New Zealand’s visa-exempt list.