New Zealand Sporting Event Visa Application Process

New Zealand Sporting Event Visa Application Process

A New Zealand sports event visa is a type of visa that allows the holder to stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months. Athletes, support staff, match or tournament officials, and press officers can apply for a New Zealand sports event visa for a sports event or tournament. With a sports event visa, the person must be self-funded and work only for the sports event they are visiting for.

Citizens of countries that New Zealand exempts from visas can enter the country with an NZeTA instead of a visa if they meet the requirements for a sports visa. Those who will be in New Zealand for more than 3 months for sports activities will need a work visa.

Who is Eligible for a New Zealand Athlete Visa?

Athletes and those involved in sports events are eligible to obtain a New Zealand sports visa. All team management including coaches, administrative and logistics staff, medical staff, match officials including referees, all tournament officials and athletes are eligible to obtain a sports visa.

Due to pandemic restrictions, New Zealand is not currently accepting visa applications, so it is not possible to apply for a New Zealand sports visa before July 2022.

What are the New Zealand Visa Requirements for Athletes?

New Zealand visa requirements for athletes are listed.

• When arriving in New Zealand, an arrival card must be completed to obtain entry permission.
• People entering New Zealand multiple times will need to obtain a multiple travel permit.
• A travel ticket or proof of sponsorship must be in possession of proof of departure from New Zealand at the end of the trip.
• The person must have financial means or a sponsor to support them while in New Zealand.
• People coming to New Zealand on an athlete visa can only work at the sporting event for which they came.
• It is mandatory to leave New Zealand before the athlete visa expires.

How to Get a New Zealand Sporting Event Visa?

New Zealand sporting event visas can be obtained physically or online in Turkey through VFS Global, the authorized intermediary institution for New Zealand visa applications, or through accredited agencies.

Those who want to apply for a New Zealand sporting event visa online should select the visa type on the website https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa and click on the application button on the page that opens. The applicant, who is directed to the website https://apply.immigration.govt.nz, should create a RealMe account and have a bank or credit card, biometric photograph and the necessary supporting documents for the application ready. After the account is created, the sporting event visa application is completed by uploading the necessary information and documents to the system. After the application is made, an appointment must be made with the VFS Global visa intermediary institution in order to submit the original passport and application, and the visa service fee must be paid to the application center. In online applications, the visa fee is paid at the time of application; however, the visa service fee must be paid at the time of appointment.

In order to physically apply for a sports event visa, the application form must be downloaded from the website, filled in and completed with a wet signature. Other documents required for the application must be prepared and delivered in person to the offices of the visa application center VFS Global during business hours or sent by post or e-mail. After the visa application documents are delivered or sent, an appointment must be made and the visa fee and visa service fee must be paid during the appointment to ensure that the application is completed.

What are the Required Documents for a New Zealand Athlete Visa?

The documents required for a New Zealand sports visa are listed below.

• New Zealand sports visa application form: The New Zealand visa application form must be filled out completely with accurate information and signed by the applicant.
• Passport: A current passport belonging to the applicant and valid for another 3 months after the end of the trip must be used.
• Photo: Two biometric photographs of the applicant, 35 mm x 45 mm in size, taken within the last 6 months, must be submitted.
• Medical report: If requested, a medical report or chest x-ray must be submitted.
• Athlete license: The athlete must have an internationally valid athlete license.
• Proof of financial means: Proof of financial means to support yourself and provide accommodation for the duration of your stay in New Zealand must be demonstrated through a bank statement, credit card statement, or proof of funding or sponsorship.
• Evidence of return to home country: A completed temporary sponsorship form, previously purchased New Zealand travel documents or financial means to support a return from New Zealand in the identified account can be submitted as evidence that the applicant will depart New Zealand at the end of the trip.
• Letter of good faith (Bona Fida): A letter of good faith must be submitted to the applicant, showing that he/she is honest and trustworthy in his/her entry and exit from the country.
• Visa fee: The visa fee must be paid during the visa application.

How to Make an Appointment for a New Zealand Sports Visa?

Appointments for New Zealand sports visas are made through the VFS Global website. A user account must be on the VFS Global website, or if there is no existing account, an account must be created first. Appointments for New Zealand visa applications can only be made through the VFS Global Ankara office. During the visa appointment, the application is created by submitting the necessary documents or, if the application was made online, the passport is delivered.

How Much Does a New Zealand Visa Cost for a Sporting Event?

New Zealand visa fee for sporting events; if the application is made online, the visa fee is 35 New Zealand dollars and the visa service fee to be paid to VFS Global is 168 Turkish lira; for physical applications, the visa fee is 360 Turkish lira and the visa service fee to be paid to VFS Global is 208 Turkish lira.

New Zealand sports visa costs in 2022 are an average of $145, including visa fees, intermediary service fees, reservations, travel health insurance and consultancy fees.

How to Track and Inquire about New Zealand Athlete Visa?

For New Zealand sportsperson visa tracking and inquiry processes, it is possible to track applications made online via the RealMe account where the application was made and the application site.

In visa applications made through VFS Global, queries can be made using the reference number written on the receipt given after the application. Since the RealMe account is not used during the physical New Zealand visa procedures , queries can only be made through VFS Global.

How Long Does It Take to Get a New Zealand Sporting Event Visa?

90% of applications for New Zealand sporting event visas are finalised within 5 months.

How Long Can You Stay in New Zealand with an Athlete Visa?

With an athlete visa, you can stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months.

Can I Work in New Zealand with an Athlete Visa?

With an athlete visa, you can only work in the sporting event you are participating in in New Zealand.

Can New Zealand Athlete Visa Be Extended?

New Zealand sports visas cannot be extended. Those who will be participating in tournaments or other sporting events for more than 3 months must apply for a work visa.

New Zealand has more than one type of work visa, but individuals must apply for the work visa that best suits their qualifications and conditions. If the applicant is an athlete, they must first receive a job offer from an employer in New Zealand in order to obtain a New Zealand work visa . If the job offer is accepted, the individual must apply for the most appropriate visa type.