New Zealand Visa for Indians For Indian Passport Holders

The purpose of New Zealand's visa process is to regulate and facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the country. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is the authority responsible for processing visa applications. Outcomes of these applications may include approval—resulting in the issuance of an e-Visa or a visa label—denial, or a request for additional information.

• Tourist/Visitor Visa
  

• Purpose: Travel, sightseeing, visiting friends/family.
• Duration: Up to 6 months (typically).
  
  

• Work Visa
  

• Purpose: Employment in New Zealand.
• Requirement: Job offer from a NZ employer.
• Duration: Varies, dependent on the job offer.
  
  

• Study Visa
  

• Purpose: Studying in New Zealand.
• Requirement: Admission to a NZ educational institution.
• Duration: Matches the study duration (plus some extra time).
  
  

• Business Visa
  

• Purpose: Business-related activities (meetings, conferences).
• Duration: Usually up to 3 months.
  
  
  

• Transit Visa
  

• Purpose: Traveling through New Zealand to another country.
• Duration: Up to 24 hours (or more in exceptional cases).
  
  
  

• Working Holiday Visa
  

• Note: Currently not available for Indian citizens due to reciprocal requirements not being met. Check for updates.

• Valid Indian Passport (at least 6 months' validity from planned departure date from NZ)
  
  
• Completed Application Form (online or paper, depending on the visa type)
  
  
• Recent Passport-Sized Photos (as per NZ immigration guidelines)
  
  
• Proof of Funds (to show ability to support yourself in NZ)
  
  
• Health and Character Certificates (if required for your visa type or upon request)
  
• Travel Itinerary (flight bookings or detailed travel plan)
  
• Proof of Onward Travel (for some visa types)
  
• Hotel Booking or Proof of Accommodation
  
  
• Detailed Cover Letter explaining the purpose and duration of your visit

Tourist/Visitor Visa:

• Proof of Ties to India (e.g., employment letter, property documents)
• Detailed Itinerary for NZ Stay
  
  

Work Visa:

• Job Offer from NZ Employer
• Qualification and Experience Documents
• Labour Market Test Results (if applicable)
  
  

Study Visa:

• Admission Letter from NZ Educational Institution
• Proof of Payment of Tuition Fees
• Academic Transcripts and Certificates
  
  

Business Visa:

• Invitation from NZ Business Counterpart
• Documents Showing Business Operations in India
  
  

Transit Visa:

• Confirmed Onward Flight
• Visa for the Next Destination (if required)

5.1 Check Eligibility: Ensure You Meet the Basic Criteria

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
• Visit the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Website: www.immigration.govt.nz
  
  
• Choose Your Visa Type: Select the visa that best matches your purpose for visiting New Zealand (e.g., Tourist, Work, Study, Business, Transit).
  
  
• Review Eligibility Criteria:
  
  
• Age: Check if there are any age restrictions for your visa type.
  
  
• Nationality: Ensure Indians are eligible for the chosen visa type.
  
  
• Purpose: Confirm your visit purpose aligns with the visa type.
  
  
• Health and Character: Understand the requirements for health and character certificates.
  
  
• Financial Resources: Know how much you need to show as proof of funds.
  
  
• Use the INZ Visa Tool (Optional but Recommended):
  
  
• INZ Website > Tools & Resources > Visa Finder: Answer questions to get a personalized list of visas you might be eligible for.
  
  

5.2 Gather Documents: Collect All Required Documents

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
1. Refer to the INZ Website for Your Visa Type: Look up the specific documents required for your chosen visa.
   
   
2. Common Documents:
   
   
• Valid Indian Passport (at least 6 months' validity from planned departure date from NZ)
  
  
• Completed Application Form (if applying via paper)
  
  
• Recent Passport-Sized Photos
  
  
• Proof of Funds
  
  
• Travel Itinerary
  
  
• Proof of Onward Travel (if applicable)
  
  
• Hotel Booking or Proof of Accommodation
  
  
  
3. Visa Type Specific Documents:
   
   
• For Work Visa: Job offer, qualification, and experience documents.
• For Study Visa: Admission letter, proof of tuition fee payment, academic transcripts.
• For Business Visa: Invitation from NZ business counterpart, documents showing business operations.
  
  
4. Ensure Documents are:
   
   
• Complete
• Legible
• In English (or with certified translations if in another language)
  
  

5.3 Submit Application

Online: Through the INZ Website

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
1. Create an Account: On the INZ website, go to "Login" > "Create an account".
   
   
2. Fill Out the Application Form:
   
   
• Select Your Visa Type
• Enter Personal and Travel Details
• Upload Required Documents
  
  
3. Submit Your Application:
   
   
• Review Your Application for Completeness
• Submit and Receive a Reference Number

Paper Application: Through a New Zealand Visa Application Centre (VAC) in India

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
1. Find Your Nearest VAC:
   
   
• INZ Website > Contact Us > Visa Application Centres
  
  
2. Prepare Your Application Package:
   
   
• Completed Application Form
• All Required Documents
• Application Fee Payment Proof
  
  
3. Submit at the VAC:
   
   
• Ensure All Documents are in Order
• Receive a Receipt and a Reference Number (if applicable)

5.4 Pay Application Fee

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
1. Check the Latest Fees: On the INZ website, under "Fees".
   
   
2. Payment Methods:
   
   
• Online Applications: Credit/Debit Card through the INZ website.
• Paper Applications: As advised by the VAC (typically bank draft or cash).
  
  
3. Keep the Payment Receipt: For your records and to attach with your paper application, if required.

5.5 Provide Biometrics (If Required)

• Step-by-Step Process (At a VAC in India):
  
  
1. Check If Biometrics Are Required: For your visa type on the INZ website.
   
   
2. Schedule an Appointment (If Necessary): With the VAC to provide biometrics.
   
   
3. Attend the Biometrics Appointment:
   
   
• Bring Required Documents (ID, Passport, etc.)
• Follow VAC Staff Instructions for Biometric Data Collection

5.6 Wait for Processing

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
1. Check Processing Times: On the INZ website for an estimate.
   
   
2. Track Your Application (If Applied Online):
   
   
• Login to Your INZ Account
• View Application Status
  
  
3. Contact the VAC (If Applied via Paper):
   
   
• For Status Updates
• If You Haven’t Received a Decision in the Estimated Timeframe

5.7 Respond to Additional Information Requests

• Step-by-Step Process:
  
  
1. Receive Notification: From INZ or the VAC, requesting more information.
   
   
2. Gather Requested Documents:
   
   
• Ensure They Meet the Specified Requirements
  
  
3. Submit the Additional Documents:
   
   
• Online: Through your INZ account.
• Paper Application: As advised by the VAC.
  
  
4. Wait for the Revised Processing Timeframe: After submitting the additional documents.

• Fees:
  
  
• Tourist/Visitor Visa: NZD 165−530 (INR approximately ₹8,500 - ₹27,000)
  
  
• Work Visa: NZD 495−1,095 (INR approximately ₹25,000 - ₹56,000)
  
• Study Visa: NZD $530 (INR approximately ₹27,000)
  
  
• Business Visa: NZD 165−530 (INR approximately ₹8,500 - ₹27,000)
  
  
• Transit Visa: NZD $165 (INR approximately ₹8,500)
  
  
  
• Processing Times:
  
  
• Urgent: Additional fee for faster processing (check INZ website).
  
  
• Standard Times: Vary by visa type and application method; typically several weeks to a few months.

• Biometrics: Required for most visa types, submitted at a VAC in India.
  
  
• Interviews: Rarely required; usually for complex applications or at the discretion of INZ.

• Online Applications: Use your INZ account to track.
  
  
• Paper Applications: Contact the VAC where you submitted your application.

• e-Visa: Sent electronically to your email if your application is approved.
  
  
• Visa Label: A physical label sent to you or made available for collection at a VAC, which you'll need to attach to your passport.

• Incomplete Applications: Ensure all required documents are provided.
  
  
• Insufficient Funds: Provide clear proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
  
  
• Health/Character Concerns: Address these promptly with the required certificates.
  
  
• Application Delays: Check the status regularly and respond to any requests for additional information.

• Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Website: www.immigration.govt.nz
  
  
• New Zealand Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India: Check the INZ website for locations.
  
  
• New Zealand Embassy in India: www.nzembassy.com/india
  
  
• Helpline: Check the INZ website for the latest contact numbers.

Need more clarity on the New Zealand visa? Check out helpful resources below

New Zealand Visa Requirement

New Zealand Tourist Visa Requirement

New Zealand Business Visa Requirement

New Zealand Work Visa Requirement

New Zealand Embassies and Consulates

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection