New Zealand visa

Citizens of all countries need a valid visa to visit New Zealand. The eTA for New Zealand (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is an electronic travel permit issued to citizens of visa-free countries. There are currently about 60 countries that do not require a visa to visit New Zealand. In order to obtain NZeTA, a fee (NZD $35) must be paid as a tourist tax (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy or IVL). The eTA NZ application form, which includes the following information, must then be completed:

• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Passport details
• Travel plans

What are the requirements of the New Zealand visas?

The requirements for New Zealand visas are as follows;

The photo specification

An acceptable photo is one of the essential requirements. If the applicant’s photo is not acceptable, the New Zealand visa application will not be processed. The photo size and format should be :

• Between 500 KB and 3 MB
• Between 900 x 1200 pixels and 2250 x 3000 pixels
•  A JPG (or JPEG) file

Health assessment

If you are applying for a New Zealand visa, you must show your health status through the following tests:

• Chest x-ray
• Medical examinations

Medical examinations should be performed in countries where the prevalence of HIV is considered a risk factor.

All of the following forms must be completed:

• Chest x-ray certificate (INZ 1096)
• Limited Medical Certificate (INZ 1201)
• General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007)
• RSE Scheme Supplementary Medical Certificate (INZ 1143)

Good character

Applicants for all New Zealand visas must prove that they do not pose a security risk to the New Zealand community. You can’t be given a visa if you:

• have ever been excluded  or deported from a country
• are forbidden from entering New Zealand
• have been sentenced to 5 years or more due to an offense
• have been convicted in the last ten years of a crime for which you were sentenced to 12 months or more due to a crime

Police certificate

Depending on how long you intend to stay in New Zealand and your visa type, you will need to provide a police certificate to prove your good character.  The following visas require a police certificate:

• Work visas
• Student Visa
• Visit visa
• Resident visa

English Language

In the case of some New Zealand visas, the applicants must prove their language proficiency. Some of these visas include:

• Global impact work visa
• China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, and Turkey working holiday visas
• Parent resident visa
• Dependent child resident visa
• Skilled migrant category resident visa

The language tests include:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS):  General or Academic
• Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
• Cambridge English B2 First (FCE)
• B2 First for Schools (FCE for Schools)
• Occupational English Test (OET)

The banking information

Applicants for New Zealand visas must prove that they have the financial means to cover their expenses in New Zealand. For this purpose, they can provide the following documents:

• bank statements for the last six months
• copies of  bank deposit certificates
• statements revealing fixed-term deposits at least six months old.

7. Information about your income

In some cases, it is essential to provide the following documents to prove your ability to finance:

• A tax return that reflects your income and savings
• Proof of income derived from assets such as rental property
• Employment letter:

• • This letter may be written by the employer and contains information such as job position, monthly income, and how long you have been in the job.
  • If self-employment, this letter may be prepared by the individual and contains recent business tax returns and business transactions.

Work experience

Applicants for a New Zealand work visa must prove their previous work experience to perform the job offered them. You should also provide the following documents about your past work experience:

• The work that you did.
• The date you did it
• Your working hours per week
• Your employer’s contact information
• How your work experience relates to what you will do in New Zealand

Job offer

If you intend to apply for a New Zealand work visa, You need a  job offer in New Zealand. To prove your job offer, you must provide an employment agreement. This agreement must include the following:

• Employer name and contact details
•  Applicant’s name
•  Job title
•  Work address
•  The type of work and responsibilities you will perform
•  Details of documents and work experiences
•  Working conditions and wages that must comply with New Zealand labor law
•  How long the job will be for
•   How long you must take up the job opportunity

Occupational registration

If you must apply for occupational registration for your work visa, contact the registration authority for your occupation.

How to apply for a New Zealand visa?

There are two ways to apply for a New Zealand visa:

• Online submission: The applications can be submitted online. Sending online can speed up the processing process. To submit an online application, you must go to the official website of the New Zealand government and create an account. Then send the documents along with your photo. You can pay your application fee by credit card. Once you send your application online, you will no longer need to follow up. The New Zealand government will review your documents, and you will be contacted if necessary. You need to log in by your RealMe® account to track your request. If the status of your application is “Submitted,” it means that it is ready for processing.
• Paper submission: If you cannot apply online, you must submit your documents to the New Zealand Immigration Office or Visa Application Center.

Can New Zealand visa holders bring family members to the country?

• Dependent children: In most cases, dependent children can be included in your application or apply for a separate visa. Unmarried children with special age restrictions can be considered as dependent.
• Partnership: if your partner is in New Zealand and you want to join him/her, you can petition for a visa based on your relationship. Under New Zealand immigration law, the partnership is a relationship between the opposite sex or the same sex that is genuine and stable.
• Bring family members for work visa holders: most New Zealand work visa holders can bring their partner and children to New Zealand, but there are some limitations.

What are the types of New Zealand visas?

Student visas

• Exchange student visa:  You can apply for this visa if you are outside of New Zealand and have been accepted into a student exchange scheme. Depending on the duration of your program, the validity of this visa is up to 4 years.

• Fee-paying student visa:  If you intend to apply for a full-time study, you must pay the full course fee and enroll with an approved education provider. Then you can apply for this visa. If you are distance learning and you need to come to New Zealand for any reasons such as doing practical courses or sitting exams.

• Guardian of a student visitor visa: Parents and guardians of international students studying in New Zealand can come to New Zealand under this visa and take care of their children.

• Dependent child student visa: Dependent children can join their parents in New Zealand under this visa. They can benefit from studying at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand.

• MFAT-funded NZ scholarship student visa: If you are supported by a New Zealand scholarship supplied through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or MFAT, you can apply to study in full-time programs under this visa.

• Student and trainee work visa:  If you must do practical work as a part of your education program, you need to apply for this visa. Depending on your course, you must have an offer related to your practical work experience.
• Vocational trainee student visa: This visa is for trainees who are granted a New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship, financed by the New Zealand scholarships that are managed by the MFAT.
• Foreign government-supported student visa: If you have a loan or scholarship from a foreign country, you can study full-time in New Zealand for more than 3 months. To apply, you must present proof your education fees will be paid by the loan or scholarship.
• Pathway student visa: You are allowed to apply to study up to 3 sequential courses on a single student visa.  You must have a Pathway Student Visa offer of a place with a Pathway education provider and be able to meet your education fees.
• Trafficking victim student visa: This visa is given to a child victim of human trafficking.  So they can benefit from studying that will be publicly funded. The child needs to have a certification from the New Zealand Police that they are considered to be a victim of human trafficking.
• Child of refugee claimant student visa: This visa is issued to children whose parents have made a claim for refugee or protection and intend to study at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand while their parents’ request is being assessed.
• Singapore Work exchange Programme visa: This permission supports young people from Singapore to come to this country to obtain work experience. Applicants for this visa must be between 18 and 30 years old. The duration of residence under this visa is up to 6 months.

Work visas

Temporary work visas

• Essential Skills Visa: If you can get a full-time job offer from an employer in New Zealand, you can apply for this work visa. Essential Skills Work Visa is defined for this purpose. The visa holders can also bring their spouses and children to New Zealand.
• Working Holiday Visas: This visa is issued to young people of a certain age who are citizens of some countries. Holders of this visa can travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

Permanent work visas

• Long-term skill-shortage list work visa: This work visa allows you to get a residence in New Zealand. To apply for this visa, your experience and qualifications must be under the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
• Long term skill shortage list resident visa: If you work for two years under a Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa in New Zealand, you will be eligible for a residence visa.
• Religious worker resident visa: If you intend to live in New Zealand and you’re already in this country on a valid Religious Worker Work Visa, you can apply for residence. You must have an offer of continuous work and sponsorship from the religious organization that is supporting you.
• Skilled migrant category resident visa: This visa is for those who have the skills to contribute to New Zealand’s economic progress. Before applying, the applicants need to send an Expression of Interest (EOI) about their employment in New Zealand, work experience, and qualifications. If the Expression of Interest is accepted, they can apply for this visa.
• Talent work visa (arts, culture, sports): This permission is for those who have extraordinary talent in a field of art, sport, or culture and want to live in New Zealand permanently. The applicants need to be supported by a New Zealand organization that is recognized in your field of talent. After being actively occupied in your area in New Zealand for two years, you may be qualified for residence.
• Talent resident visa (arts, culture, sports): This visa is issued to holders of Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visas who have been engaged in New Zealand in their field of outstanding talent for more than two years.
• Talent work visa (accredited employer): This visa is issued to those who want to live in New Zealand permanently and have a skill that is needed by a New Zealand accredited employer. To apply for this visa, applicants need a full-time job offer from an accredited employer.
• Talent resident visa (accredited employer): This visa is issued to those who have been hired in New Zealand through an accredited employer for more than two years. If you have a continuous profession with an approved employer and you gain at least the minimum wage that was in place when you applied for your Talent Work Visa, you may be qualified for this resident visa.
• New Zealand Singapore exchange work program visa.
• New Zealand entrepreneur work visa.

Family visas

Partners

• Partner of a New Zealander resident visa: If you are the partner of a New Zealand national or resident, you can apply for this visa to live in New Zealand permanently. If you are given residence, you can live, work and study in New Zealand permanently.

Children

• Dependent child resident visa: You can bring your children to New Zealand if you are a New Zealand national or resident who lives in New Zealand. If your children are given residence, they can live and study in New Zealand. If they are old enough, they can work in this country, too.
• Intercountry adoption resident visa: If you are a New Zealand citizen or a resident of this country, you can legally adopt a child from abroad. With this visa, you can bring your adopted child to New Zealand to live with you.

Parents

• Parent retirement resident visa: You can apply for residency in this country if you have an adult child living in New Zealand. To do this, your annual income must be NZ $ 60,000, and you must invest NZ $1 million for four years and another NZ $500,000 to live on. After completing these 4 years, you will be qualified to apply for this visa.
• Parent resident visa: If you are a New Zealand citizen and have enough income, you can sponsor your parents to bring them to New Zealand under this visa. You must first provide an Expression of Interest and explain how you can meet the requirements for this visa. Then your parents can apply for a visa.

  Visitor visas

• Occupational registration visitor visa: You can apply for this visa if you intend to gain New Zealand Occupational Registration. Or you are already in this country, have applied for residence, and need more time to get the Occupational Registration.
• Tourist visa:  You can travel to New Zealand as a visitor under this visa. you need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and the individuals included in your application visa.
• Business visitor visa: You can travel to New Zealand for business reasons. To obtain this visa, you must first prove that you can meet your expenses while you are in this country.

Investor visas

Entrepreneur visas

• Entrepreneur Work Visa: This visa is granted to those who intend to do business in New Zealand. To get this visa, you must first provide a detailed plan for your business. You must have at least NZ $100,000 to invest. You must also be able to score 120 points on the points scale.
• Entrepreneur Residence visa: This visa is issued to those who have been self-employed in the country for at least six months. Or applicants must have managed the business in New Zealand for at least two years.

 Investor visas

• Investor 1 resident visa: If you can invest NZ $10 million in New Zealand for more than three years, you will be eligible for this visa.
• Investor 2 resident visa: Experienced business people with at least  NZD $3 million can apply for this visa. Before applying, you must provide the Expression of Interest and explain your business and investment experience. If the Expression of Interest is approved, you can initiate the visa application process.

Global Impact Visa

This permission allows individual pioneering entrepreneurs and investors with a three-year visa to design, support, and incubate ventures and models that result in a positive global influence, from New Zealand. After three years, holders of this visa can apply for residency.

 Other visas

•  Victims of family violence resident visa: This visa is issued to victims of family violence. You can apply for this visa if you had a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or has had a resident visa, as well as experienced domestic violence.
• Community sponsored refugee resident visa: This pilot visa program provides another option to obtain permanent residence for UNHCR-mandated refugees. You may be given this permission if you’ve been nominated by a qualified community organization, have 3 years of work experience, and meet minimum English language requirements. Before applying,  you must provide an Expression of Interest.
• Refugee family support resident visa: People who come to New Zealand as refugees and are considered residents of this country can bring their family members to New Zealand. Family members include a partner and dependent children.
• Employees of relocating business resident visa: You can petition for this permission if you have a key role in a business that is relocating to New Zealand and you are not qualified to apply for another New Zealand resident visa. If your application is approved, this visa will be given to you to relocate the business. If you meet the requirements of your work visa, you can live, work, and study in this country indefinitely.
•  Pitcairn islander resident visa: You can apply for this visa if you are a Pitcairn Islander and have been offered skilled employment in New Zealand.
•  South island contribution resident visa: This visa is for those who have a South Island Contribution Work Visa. You are qualified for this permission if you have remained employed in the same industry and region for two years since you were given a South Island Contribution Work Visa.
•  Australian resident visa: Australian nationals and permanent residents can visit, work, and live in New Zealand under this permission. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
• Samoan Quota resident visa: You can register for a ballot to come to New Zealand if you are a Samoan national. If your registration is drawn, you may be invited to apply for residence. If you are given a resident visa, you can permanently work, live, and study in New Zealand.
• Pacific access category resident visa: You can register for a ballot to come to New Zealand if you are from:
  
  • Kiribati,
  • Tuvalu,
  • Tonga,
  • or Fiji.

If your registration is drawn, you may be invited to apply for residence. If you are given a resident visa, you can permanently work, live, and study in New Zealand.

• Second or subsequent resident visa: You are qualified for a Second or Subsequent Resident Visa if you had a New Zealand Resident Visa that has expired. Your qualification will depend on how long it’s been since your Resident Visa expired and your obligation to New Zealand before that.
•  Permanent resident visa: If you’ve been a resident visa holder for two years or more and can prove the obligation to living in New Zealand, you can apply for this permission.  You can live and work in New Zealand permanently and travel in and out of New Zealand without travel restrictions.