New Zealand Tourist Visa Application Process
New Zealand Tourist Visa Application Process
A New Zealand tourist visa is a type of visa issued to people who wish to visit relatives or friends living in New Zealand, travel the country, attend events or study for up to 3 months. A New Zealand tourist visa is also known as a visitor visa and allows the holder to stay in New Zealand for up to 9 months. The applicant can also include their partner and children aged 19 and under in their New Zealand tourist visa application.
Does New Zealand Require Tourist Visa ?
New Zealand requires all Foreignn citizens to have a visa for any travel to New Zealand, regardless of passport type.
What are the New Zealand Tourist Visa Application Requirements?
New Zealand tourist visa application requirements are listed below.
- The applicant must prove his/her identity.
- The applicant must be in good health to travel.
- The criminal record must be clean.
- Compliance with the conditions of the visa must be proven with documents.
- If the applicant is bringing their spouse and child with them on their trip to New Zealand, the accompanying persons must also meet the visa requirements.
- Must have financial resources to cover all expenses for the duration of the trip to New Zealand or have a valid sponsor.
- You must declare that you will be covered for medical expenses incurred in New Zealand or have travel health insurance.
- Proof of return to the country of origin at the end of the trip to New Zealand must be provided.
How to Get a Tourist Visa for New Zealand?
There are two different ways to apply for a tourist New Zealand visa: physically or online. In Turkey, New Zealand visas can be applied for through VFS Global or accredited agencies.
To apply for a New Zealand visa online, visit https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa and select tourist visa as the visa type, and click on the application button on the page that opens, and the person is directed to https://apply.immigration.govt.nz. A RealMe account can be created on the directed page and a visa application can be made. When applying for a visa online, a credit or debit card, the documents required for the visa and a passport-style photo must be ready. The application is made by uploading the necessary documents to the system after the account is created and the visa fee is paid. After the visa application is made, an appointment must be made with VFS Global to submit the original passport and the application, and the New Zealand tourist visa application is completed by paying the visa service fee on the appointment day. When applying for a visa online, the visa fee is paid at the time of application, and the visa service fee is paid at the VFS Global visa appointment.
If the New Zealand tourist visa is to be applied physically, the application form must be downloaded and filled out, and the necessary documents for the visa must be prepared and sent to the offices of the visa application center VFS Global in person during business hours or by post or e-mail. After the delivery of the visa documents, a visa appointment must be made through VFS Global and the visa fee and service fee must be paid on the appointment day at the VFS Global visa application center, and the New Zealand tourist visa application is completed.
When to Apply for a Tourist Visa for New Zealand?
Since 90% of New Zealand tourist visa applications are finalized within 15 days, visa applications should be made 5 to 6 months before the planned trip.
Tourist visa applications for New Zealand cannot be made at the moment due to pandemic restrictions; Since visa applications will start to be received after July 2022, New Zealand visa applications cannot be made before July 2022.
What are the Required Documents for a New Zealand Tourist Visa?
New Zealand visa documents are given below.
- New Zealand tourist visa application form: The visa application form must be filled out with complete and accurate information and signed by the applicant.
- Passport: You must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after your trip to New Zealand ends.
- Photo: 2 photographs, 35 mm wide and 45 mm long, taken within the last 6 months are required.
- Visa fee: Visa fee must be paid at the time of application.
- Proof of financial means: Financial proof such as bank statements and salary slips or a letter from a sponsor must be provided to show that you can cover all expenses during your trip to New Zealand.
- Proof of return to home country: The applicant must prove that they will return to their home country at the end of their trip to New Zealand with documents such as a return flight ticket.
- Travel reservations: Reservations for airfare to and from New Zealand must be submitted.
- Proof of bona fide: The application must be supported by documentation and personal information and previous visa applications must be submitted to demonstrate the applicant's bona fide intention to travel to New Zealand.
How to Fill Out the New Zealand Tourist Visa Application Form?
The New Zealand visa application form is filled out by computer when applying online, and by hand when applying physically. When filling out the visa application form, care must be taken to ensure that all information is provided correctly, that there are no missing sections, and that there are no spelling errors. The visa application form is filled out in English using capital letters.
The New Zealand visa application form consists of sections such as identity information, contact information, health, character, visa type and economic status. The identity information section of the application form requests the applicant's name, surname, gender, date and place of birth, title, passport number, country of issue, expiration date, nationality and marital status. The contact information section requests personal information such as address, telephone number, name and surname of relatives or friends in New Zealand, name of relations, jobs, address, birth dates, name of partner, surname, telephone number, name of children, surname, date of birth, passport details. The health section requests information on whether there is tuberculosis, pregnancy status, and whether documents such as x-rays requested according to the status of staying in New Zealand have been provided. The character section includes information on the applicant's criminal record. The visa type section requests information on the estimated arrival and arrival date in New Zealand, the purpose of travel and the connection between the person living in New Zealand or the visa holder. The economic situation section includes information on whether travel expenses are covered by the applicant or a sponsor.
The image of the New Zealand visa application form is given below.
How Much Money Do I Need for a New Zealand Tourist Visa?
For a New Zealand tourist visa, the account must have NZ$1,000 per month for each person included in the visa application form. If accommodation fees have been paid in advance and onward travel arrangements have been made, having NZ$400 per month for each person in the account is sufficient.
What Photo Should Be for New Zealand Tourist Visa?
For a New Zealand tourist visa, the photo must not be older than 6 months, the person's face must be clearly visible in the photo and the background of the photo must be plain. New Zealand visa photo dimensions are 35 mm wide and 45 mm long.
A sample visa photo for a New Zealand tourist visa is given below.
Is a Health Report Required for a New Zealand Tourist Visa Application?
A health report is required for a tourist New Zealand visa application under certain conditions. Applicants for a tourist visa for travel of less than 6 months do not need to provide a health report unless specifically requested, however, those who will be staying in New Zealand for a period of 6 to 12 months are required to provide a chest X-ray or health report if they come from a country that New Zealand has identified as having a high risk of tuberculosis or have spent more than 3 months in a risk country in the last 5 years.
Since Turkey is among the countries with a low risk of tuberculosis, a health report is not required for tourist or short-term visa applications from Turkey to New Zealand unless specifically requested.
Is Health Insurance Required for a New Zealand Visitor Visa?
Health insurance is not required for a New Zealand visitor visa; however, it is recommended that you have travel health insurance in case of any unexpected events that may occur during your trip to New Zealand, even if it is not required for your visa.
How to Make an Appointment for a New Zealand Tourist Visa Application?
For New Zealand tourist visa applications, an appointment must be made through VFS Global, which is an intermediary institution in case of a visa application in person. New Zealand visa appointments can only be made from the Ankara VFS Global office. You must visit the VFS Global website, select the visa type and make a visa appointment.
On the visa appointment day, all required visa documents must be submitted along with the passport and the visa fee and service fee must be paid. The applicant must submit the required documents for the visa, including the visa application form, to the visa application center and the visa application fee must be paid.
The image of the site where you can make an appointment for a New Zealand tourist visa application is given below.
How Much Does a New Zealand Tourist Visa Cost?
The New Zealand tourist visa fee is 35 New Zealand dollars if you apply online, and 360 Turkish lira if you apply physically.
Within the scope of New Zealand visa fee, the applicant must pay an intermediary service fee for all applications in addition to the visa fee. The intermediary service fee and visa fee can be paid online by credit or debit card or at the visa application center on the day of the appointment, depending on the application method.
Tourist New Zealand visa costs in 2022 are an average of $145, including all visa fees , intermediary service fees, travel health insurance, transportation and accommodation reservations, sworn translation, notary procedures and consultancy fees.
How to Track and Inquire about New Zealand Tourist Visa?
New Zealand tourist visa tracking and inquiry can be done online when the visa application is made through the website where the application is made with a RealMe account, and when the visa application is made through VFS Global, the visa query and inquiry can be done through the official website of VFS Global with the reference number written on the receipt given. In cases where the visa application is made physically, visa tracking can only be done through VFS Global without a RealMe account.
How Long Does It Take to Get a New Zealand Tourist Visa?
90% of New Zealand tourist visa applications are concluded within 5 months.
How Many Months Does a New Zealand Tourist Visa Take to Grant?
New Zealand tourist visa is issued for a period of 9 months within an 18-month period and the 18-month period is calculated backwards starting from the last day planned to be in New Zealand. If the last day to be in New Zealand is December 1, the 18-month period will start on June 1.
Can a New Zealand Tourist Visa Be Extended?
The tourist New Zealand visa period can be extended under certain conditions. In cases where more time is needed to complete the tourist trip, inability to leave New Zealand due to unforeseen circumstances, and in cases where a first-time residence application is made, an application can be made to stay in the country for an additional 3 months and the stay can be extended up to 12 months within a 24-month period. If a total of 12 months has been spent in New Zealand recently, a 12-month stay outside New Zealand is required before applying for a new visitor visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions frequently asked to our experts about New Zealand travel and tourist visa procedures are answered below.
Is It Easy to Get a New Zealand Tourist Visa?
Obtaining a tourist New Zealand visa is an easy process provided that the documents required for the visa, such as the visa application form, passport and documents showing financial resources, are prepared and applied for in accordance with the rules.
What COVID-19 Measures Does New Zealand Take for Tourists?
As part of New Zealand's COVID-19 measures for tourists, a New Zealand Traveller's Declaration must be submitted to enter New Zealand from 31 March 2022. After the New Zealand Traveller's Declaration is submitted, individuals are granted entry and must be shown upon entry to the country.
What is a New Zealand Passenger Manifest?
The New Zealand Passenger Manifest is an online system that collects travel and COVID-19 information from passengers. New Zealand has implemented this application to see the information of foreigners before they enter the country.
The New Zealand Passenger Manifesto image is given below.
Can I Work in New Zealand with a Tourist Visa?
It is not possible to work in New Zealand with a tourist visa. If you come to New Zealand with a job offer, you must apply for a New Zealand work visa .
What Visa Do I Need to Get to Go to New Zealand by Boat?
To travel to New Zealand by boat, you must obtain a yacht visa.
Travel to New Zealand is possible by private yacht or boat, however if an airline flight is used to leave New Zealand, a return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket is required. When obtaining a New Zealand yacht visa , it is necessary to have NZ$400 for each month of stay on the yacht for the duration of the trip.
What Visa is Required for Business Travel to New Zealand?
People who will go to New Zealand for a business meeting, business training, congress, fair, seminar, corporate event or business-related project must apply for a New Zealand business visa.
Business people from foreign countries who will be applying for a New Zealand work visa when traveling to New Zealand for business purposes must submit documents related to the work to be done.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Wellington?
A visa is required to travel to Wellington. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the second largest city in the country. Wellington is the most populous capital in Oceania and is located in the south of the North Island, one of the islands that make up New Zealand.
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey can go to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, by obtaining a New Zealand tourist visa. The tourist visa is applied for online by filling out the visa application form, uploading the necessary documents and photographs to the system, and delivering the application documents and passport to VFS Global centers. In physical applications, the visa application form is downloaded and filled out by hand, and the tourist visa application is completed by making an appointment at the VFS Global visa application center and submitting the visa application form and other documents on the appointment day.
What are the tourist places to visit in New Zealand?
Tourist places to visit in New Zealand are listed below.
- Tongariro National Park
- Fiordland National Park
- Queenstown
- Rotorua
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Bay Islands
- Mount Cook
- Westland National Park
- Kaikoura
- Coromandel
- Hobbit Village
- Paihia Town
- Sky Tower
One of the most well-known places by foreigners in New Zealand is the Hobbit Village; this village is frequently preferred by fans of the Lord of the Rings movie and has recently become popular among places to visit in New Zealand.
What are the Types of New Zealand Visitor Visas Granted Other Than Tourist Travel?
The types of New Zealand visitor visas issued for non-tourist travel are listed below.
New Zealand treatment visa
New Zealand family visit visa
New Zealand sporting event visa
New Zealand academic visitor visa
New Zealand working holiday visa