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  New Zealand

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Visitor's Visa and Permit

What Is A Visitor's Visa And Visitor's Permit?

A Visitor's Visa is:

• an endorsement you get in your passport to allow you to travel to New Zealand for the purpose of visiting;

• an endorsement you get in your passport if you are in New Zealand and wish to travel overseas and return to New Zealand for the purpose of visiting.

The Visitor's Visa shows you have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a Visitor's Permit when you arrive. The visa may be for a single (for one journey) or multiple (for more than one journey) entry.

Nationals from some countries are exempt from the requirement to hold a visa.

A Visitor's Permit is:

• an endorsement in your passport which allows you to remain in New Zealand for the purpose of visiting. It will state the expiry date of the permit.

A Visitor's Permit will allow you to:

• visit as a tourist;

• visit friends and family;

• study (one course of no more than three months duration);

• play sport (in a tournament of no more than three months duration);

• make a business trip (of no more than three months duration);

• undertake medical treatment.

Do I Need A Visitor's Visa To Travel To New Zealand?

If you are a citizen of a country that has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, you do not need to apply for a Visitor's Visa if you plan to visit New Zealand for three months or less.

Click here for a list of countries that are Visa Free.

If you are a visa waiver visitor you must:

• hold a valid ticket to a country you have the right of entry to; and

• have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay; and

• hold a passport valid for three months beyond the date you are leaving New Zealand; and

• only wish to visit New Zealand for the time granted on arrival (if you wish to visit for a longer period you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa).

Who Does Not Need A Visa Or Permit To Visit New Zealand?

You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:

• a New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder; or

• an Australian citizen or resident who holds a current Australian resident return visa; or

• exempt from the requirements to hold a visa to travel to New Zealand; or

• exempt from the requirements to hold a permit to be in New Zealand.

How Do I Apply For A Visitor's Visa Or Permit?

Visitor's Visa and Permit requirements are found in the Application for Visiting New Zealand form.

When Do I Apply For A Visitor's Visa?

You may apply for a Visitor's Visa if:

• you are outside New Zealand and need a Visa to travel to New Zealand; or

• you need to re-enter New Zealand; or

• you are a citizen from a Visa Free country but wish to stay longer than the set time granted on arrival.

When Do I Apply For A Visitor's Permit?

You may apply for a Visitor's Permit if:

• you are in New Zealand as a visitor and wish to stay longer; or

• you are a worker and wish to holiday after your employment; or

• you are a student and wish to holiday after your course.

Do I Need A Medical Certificate?

You and any accompanying family members must be of an acceptable standard of health. This is to ensure that you are:

• not likely to be a danger to public health; and

• not likely to be a burden on the health services; and

• fit for the purposes of entry.

If you or any family members intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months, you must undergo a medical and x-ray examination. Your medical and x-ray certificate must not be more than 3 months old at the that time you lodge your application.

If there is an indication of any medical condition which could mean you or any family may not meet the provisions above, you and any family may be required to provide a medical and x-ray certificate if the intention is to stay in New Zealand less than 24 months.

In some countries, the New Zealand Immigration Service selects medical panels of registered medical practitioners and/or radiologists. If you are a resident in one of these countries, a panel member must complete your medical and x-ray certificate forms.

You may either refer to the list of countries using panel doctors or consult the nearest branch of the NZIS for details of the appropriate panel doctor for your area.

Do I Need A Police Certificate?

If you are 17 years of age and over and intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than two years, you must provide a police certificate to show you are of good character. In order to prove you are of good character, you must supply the following:

• a police certificate from your country of citizenship; and

• police certificates from any country you have lived for five years or more since reaching the age of 17 years.

Your police certificate must not be more than six months old at the time your application is lodged.

Information on how to obtain a police certificate from most countries may be found in Obtaining A Police Certificate booklet.

Medical Insurance

As a visitor you are not entitled to publicly funded health services unless you are:

• a resident or a citizen of Australia;

• a national of the United Kingdom;

• holding a temporary permit valid for two years or more.

If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical treatment during your stay, you or your sponsor will be liable to pay the full costs of that treatment.

We strongly recommend that you have medical insurance for the duration of your visit.

How Long Can I Stay In New Zealand?

Visitors to New Zealand may stay a total of nine months in an 18 month period.

If you stay in New Zealand for a total of nine months in the last 18 months, you will be required to remain out of New Zealand for nine months before returning as a visitor.

You may, however, qualify for a further three month extension to your visitor permit after spending the maximum of nine months in New Zealand if:

• you have financially supported yourself and you have not been sponsored; or

• you have lodged a first-time application for residence that has been accepted for consideration, and a decision is unlikely during the currency of your existing permit; or

• you cannot leave New Zealand because of circumstances beyond your control.

If you stay a total of 12 months in the last 24 months, you will be required to remain out of New Zealand for 12 months before you can return as a visitor.

Could I Be Refused A Visa Or Permit?

Your visa or permit can be refused if:

• If you do not meet the entry requirements; or

• If you are not a genuine applicant for a visitor visa or permit; or

• If you are a person to whom section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies and you do not have an exemption.

Where Can I Get More Information And Advice?

You can get more information from:

• National Contact Centre

• New Zealand Diplomatic and Consular Offices

• New Zealand Immigration Service Branch Offices

• Guide for Visiting New Zealand

• Application for Visiting New Zealand

• New Zealand Immigration Service Operational Manual

You can get more information about visiting New Zealand from:

• Tourism New Zealand

• New Zealand Customs

• Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

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