New Zealand Business Visa For Indians- Definitive Guide

There are different kinds of business activities that are done when you have business bonds in companies abroad. Whenever someone is traveling to New Zealand for the purpose of business, a business visa to New Zealand is issued. There are several benefits to this permit. With this visa, you can visit New Zealand to attend business meetings, exhibitions and conferences, business meetings for a branch of your own company or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands. The validity offered by the visa is of 12 months permitting a stay of 3 months per visit. The time frame is as per the calendar days.

A business visa to New Zealand can be issued through an online as well as an offline process. However, before carrying on with the procedure, it is important that you check if you match the eligibility criteria. The procedures to obtain a business visa to New Zealand is as follows:

• Online Process
  1. Visit the official website of the New Zealand High Commission.
  2. Choose the category of the visa.
  3. Fill out the application form.
  4. Upload photos and scanned documents.
  5. Pay the New Zealand business visa fees.
  6. You can then wait for the approval.
• Offline Process
  1. You can start by downloading the application form.
  2. Choose the visa type that you require.
  3. Fill out the visa application form and other documents.
  4. You can then collect the required documents.
  5. Submit the documents to the New Zealand Immigration
  6. You can then pay the required fee.
  7. Wait until you get your documents approved.

In the case of online visa, it can be issued only if you are planning to stay for 3 months or less per visit. If you have to conduct business for more than 3 months, you will have to issue an Occupational Registration Visitor Visa. This visa will allow you to stay in New Zealand for more than 3 months.

Also, at the time of filling out the application form, make sure that you provide the correct and verifiable information that matches the information with the documentary proof that is being provided. If any kinds of errors are found or if there are any issues found in the application or with the applicant, there are chances that the visa may get rejected. Such a visa rejection can affect future applications to get a business visa to New Zealand or any other kind to any other country.

When applying for the visa, there are eligibility criteria that you need to match. The criteria vary depending on the type of visa. The requirements for the business visa to New Zealand are given as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit
  • You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
  • If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.

• You must meet the health requirements
  • You must be healthy enough to travel to New Zealand.
  • You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be of good character, you may not be granted the visa if -
  • You have a history of a criminal conviction.
  • You have been deported or banned from another country.
  • You are found to be a threat or risk to the country.

• You must have truthful intentions, which means -
  • Your documents and the application must be complete.
  • Any personal conditions affecting the process must be known to the authorities.
  • If applications were made previously, they must be provided at the time of a new application.

• You must have sufficient funds
  • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in New Zealand.
  • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are different kinds of documents required as per the type of visa and certain other factors. Some of the common New Zealand business visa requirements for Indian citizens are listed as follows:

• An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Colored photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Medical Certificate
• Invitation letter from the company in New Zealand
• Proof of accommodation - hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
  
  

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 35mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white or any other light colour.
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of a business visa to New Zealand is about 20 days for the offline and about 72 hours for the online visa. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters.

The New Zealand business visa cost will depend on several factors which include the type of visa, whether the visa is single or multiple-entry, or the purpose of the visit. The fee for New Zealand business visa for Indian passport holders is to be paid at the time of submission of the form. It is to be paid using a credit or debit card or in cash.

When the required documents and the application are submitted, there are processes that take place. They can be understood as follows:

• Online Process
  • The online business visa to New Zealand is obtained in the form of an electronic visa. 
  • An electronic visa does not guarantee you an entry into the country if the border control has the power to stop you if there are any issues with the visa or yourself.
  • The application is to be submitted online and you can get this permit from the home itself.

• •  
• Offline Process
  • • As for the case of an offline application, the processing of the application will begin once you pay the required fee. 
    • The documents must be handed over to the Consulate personally.
    • If you are applying through an agent, you will have to submit an authority letter so that the agency can carry out the application process on your behalf.

In order to check the status of your online visa, you will have to log in to your account on the official website of the New Zealand High Commission. You can even check the status of your offline visa online. Alternatively, you can approach the authorities offline to check the status. Else, you can even contact your visa agent to know the status of your visa.

When you finally get the visa, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Some of the most important ones are listed as follows:

• Before you travel
  • Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
  • Ensure that you set a reminder for the expiry date of your visa as you won’t legally be permitted to stay in the country for business post your business visa validity.
  • Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
  • Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company for safety.

• At the Border
  • Get your documents checked and your passport verified by the Border Control.
  • Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
  • Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.

• When you enter New Zealand
  • Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
  • The business visa does not permit you to employ or reside as a citizen in the country.
  • It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
  • The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
  • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for visa extension in time.
  • If you have a change of plans and you need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension or a different kind of visa at least one month prior to the expiry.