New Zealand is a beautiful country that attracts millions of visitors every year. If you are planning to visit you may need to apply for a visitor visa before you arrive.

A New Zealand visitor visa is a temporary visa that allows you to visit New Zealand for 9 months in an 18-month period.

There are specific requirements you must meet to be eligible for a visitor visa:

1. Ensuring you are a bona fide visitor

The first requirement is having a lawful purpose to visit. It is important that your motivation for visiting New Zealand is for genuine reasons. Such as visiting friends, family, popular tourist locations or exploring New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand will take into account a number of factors when determining whether there is a risk you will over stay in New Zealand, or if you are not traveling for a genuine and bona fide reason.

Generally, the duration of your visa you are requesting will have an impact on your application. The duration of you visa is an important factor that Immigration New Zealand will consider when determining whether you are a genuine and bona fide applicant.

Therefore, when you are applying you need to consider the following:

- If you don’t have family in New Zealand or a sponsor who is a New Zealand Resident, then Immigration New Zealand may have concerns as to why you would require a long period of stay.

- If you don’t have any previous travel history and don’t have any ties to your home country, such as employment, assets, a business or family.

Immigration New Zealand won’t think it’s reasonable to issue you a long-term visa without having any doubts about the sincerity of your plans to visit New Zealand.

2. Sufficient Funds

Having sufficient funds is a key requirement when applying for a visitor visa, unless you have a local sponsor.

The minimum amount that you must have is $1,000.00 NZD per month while visiting New Zealand or;

$400.00 NZD per month if you have already pre-paid for all of your accommodation during your stay.

It is important to know that you must be able to provide evidence of your return ticket to your home country, or proof that you have the funds necessary to purchase one. These are extra funds in addition to the evidence that you have enough money to cover your living expenses while visiting New Zealand.

3. Character Requirements

You will be questioned about any previous criminal or immigration concerns that might affect how Immigration New Zealand will assess your character. Immigration New Zealand may require a Police Certificate if you intend to stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months.

4. Health Requirements

You should be in good health and fit to travel before applying for a visitor visa. You may be required to provide Immigration New Zealand with a general medical or chest x-ray if you intend to stay in New Zealand for 12-months or longer.

5. What documents will I be required to provide Immigration New Zealand?

The documents required for a lawful or bona fide purpose will depend on your personal circumstances.

If you feel that:

1. Your travel history is not sufficient; or

2. You don’t have any ties or commitments to your home country; or

3. Sufficient funds to support your stay.

And you would like to assess your eligibility then please get in touch with us.

Applying for a New Zealand visitor visa can be a simple and straightforward process if you follow the steps and guidelines provided by Immigration New Zealand.

However, it can also be a complex and risky process if you make mistakes or encounter problems along the way.

At Queen City Law, we can help you with your visitor visa application by providing you with professional advice and assistance.

Disclaimer:
We have taken care to ensure that the information given is accurate, however it is intended for general guidance only and it should not be relied upon in individual cases. Professional advice should always be sought before any decision or action is taken.