new zealand visitor visa

New Zealand Visit Visa For Indians- Definitive Guide

New Zealand is a peaceful and hospitable nation. Over the years, plenty of visitors have settled down in the country. If you have your acquaintances in New Zealand as well, you can visit them on a New Zealand visitor visa. There are about a million Indians in New Zealand as well.

What is a New Zealand Visitor Visa?

New Zealand visitor visa

There are certain formalities that need to be fulfilled whenever you are visiting someone abroad. Similarly, one of the most important is the issuance of a visitor visa to New Zealand. With this visa, you can visit your friends and family in New Zealand as well as you can have your leisure activities that include sightseeing, attending concerts, exhibitions and others. This permit is generally provided for a stay of 3 months and can be single-entry or multiple-entry. The validity is generally for 12 months but it may vary as per the type of your visa as well. Although, it must be noted that the visa doesn’t guarantee you an entry in the country. If the border control finds an issue with your permit or yourself, they can keep you from entering.

How to Apply New Zealand Visitor Visa?

Before applying, you first need to make sure that you meet the eligibility for the application of the visitor permit. Only after you can go ahead with the application process. The New Zealand visitor visa process of application is offline as well as online. The processes are given as follows:

New Zealand visitor visa

  • 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 visitor visa fees.
    6. You can then wait for 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.

It must be noted that a visitor visa for less than 3 months can be obtained through either of the above procedures, however, if you are planning a stay for more than 3 months, you will have to apply through the offline process. The online New Zealand visitor visa for Indians is permitted only for short term trips that are less than 3 months.

Also, at the time of filling out the information in the application forms, you must fill in the correct details. If the provided information is found to be false or unverifiable, there are chances that you will have to face visa rejection. Getting your visa rejected can affect your future applications for any other kind of permit or to any other country. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a professional or employ a visa agency if necessary.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the permit must be met before applying for the visa. If not, you may get the application may get rejected. Some of the important parameters are listed as follows:

  • You must possess proof of purpose of visit
      • If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in New Zealand.
      • You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
  • You must meet the health requirements
      • You must be healthy enough to travel to New Zealand.
      • You must perform a medical test before traveling to the country and provide relevant documentary proof.
      • You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
  • 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 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.

New Zealand Visitor Visa Requirements

There are various requirements for New Zealand visitor visa for Indians. Some of the most important documents are listed as follows:

  • An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
  • Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
  • A cover letter with all the required details
  • Confirmed flight tickets
  • Income Tax Returns proof
  • Medical Certificate
  • Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, 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.
    New Zealand visitor visa

Photo Specifications

  • 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.

New Zealand Visitor Visa Processing Time

The processing time required for the issuance of a visitor 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.

New Zealand Visitor Visa Fees

The cost of issuing a visitor visa to New Zealand 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 visitor visa for Indians 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.

 

Entry Stay Duration Validity Fees
Multiple entry Normal 180 days 6 months 12687.0
Multiple entry Normal 180 days 6 months 12687.0
Multiple entry Normal 180 days 6 months 12687.0
Multiple entry Normal 180 days 6 months 12687.0

After Submission

When the documents have been submitted, there are certain processes that take place. The process after submission of the application form and the documents is given as follows:

  • Online Process
    • The online visitor 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.

How to check New Zealand Visitor Visa Status?

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 have the visa

When the visa has finally has been issued, 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.
      • You should travel to New Zealand within the validity of your visa.
      • 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Extend My New Zealand Visit Visa?

In order to extend your visitor permit, you first need to have a legitimate reason to do so. A visitor visa for New Zealand can be extended by applying to the New Zealand Immigration online. You will have to pay the required fee after which your request will be processed and you will be granted the extension. Although, there are certain criteria that you need to meet to be eligible to apply for an extension.

 

After Expiring My New Zealand Visit Visa How Long Can I Stay?

When the visa has expired, you are not permitted to stay in the country any longer. If you have humanitarian reasons to stay back in New Zealand, the government may grant you an extension. However, if you were not able to leave the country post-expiration of your visa, you may have to face charges and could be deported or even banned from re-entering in certain cases. If you have to stay, you can extend your visa with reliable causes within the timeline. 

 

 

What is the Medical Test for New Zealand Visit Visa?

A medical test is a health examination performed by an authorized doctor to ensure that the applicant does not possess any kind of contagious disease. These do not just include HIV/AIDS, but also other contagious diseases that can spread. However, this medical test is not necessarily required for all kinds of visas. These are mandated for the long term visas and may not be compulsory for all types of short term visas.

 

 

Can I Convert My New Zealand Visit Visa into Work Visa?

You are not permitted to convert one type of visa into another and hence, you cannot convert your visitor visa into a work permit. You may be allowed to do any kind of volunteer work in the country as a visitor, but for paid employment, you will have to issue a work permit separately.

 

 

How Much Bank Balance Required to Get New Zealand Visit Visa?

The amount that is required in your savings bank account is not specified clearly by the New Zealand High Commission. You need to show proof that you have at least NZ $1000 for the stay of every month. Normally, there are other requirements as well depending on the type of visa. 

 

 

How many months before the trip should I apply for a New Zealand Visit Visa?

In order to get a visitor visa to New Zealand on time, it is important that you apply at least a month prior to your travel. Apart from processing time, there are a certain number of days required for the approval and verification of the documents. It is safer if you save enough time for processing.

 

 

 

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