New Zealand: Visitor, Study and Working Holiday Visas

Any person over the age of 17 interested in entering New Zealand can apply for work, visit, or study visa for more than two years.

A visitor’s visas is an endorsement in your passport which generally provides the holder the entitlement to take a holiday, undergo medical treatment, or study or train for a single course of not more than three months. However, under this visa you are not entitled to work in New Zealand.

The basic checklist for a successful Visa application is: a completed Application for Visitor’s Visa; passport; a recent passport-size photo, and the relevant fee. You may also be required to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay and clear documentation of your travel plans to leave New Zealand.

In general you will may also require a certificate from police from the country of applicant’s citizenship and medical certificate attesting to your state of health from a qualified doctor.

Depending on your country of origin and citizenship, different Visa restrictions may apply. Citizens of United Kingdom who can permanently reside in the UK can visit for up to 6 months without a visa, whilst individuals with an Australian permanent residence visa are entitled to enter New Zealand without the need for a visa at all.

People from 55 other nationalities, who are permanent residents of their respective countries and who plan on staying no longer than 3 months are also exempted from having a visa.