Summary of New Zealand Visitor Visa Types
Visiting New Zealand
Visit Family
Tourism
Your Pathway to Visiting New Zealand Starts Here — Choose the Right Visa and Begin Your Journey
New Zealand welcomes millions of visitors every year — tourists, families, business travellers, students’ guardians, and those simply passing through. Whatever your reason for travelling, choosing the right visa is the first step to a smooth, stress‑free journey.
Whether you’re planning a holiday, visiting loved ones, supporting a child’s education, or travelling from Australia on a Chinese passport, New Zealand has a visa designed for your situation.
Take action now: explore the options below, choose the visa that fits your purpose, and get ready to experience everything New Zealand has to offer
New Zealand offers a range of visitor visas for tourism, family visits, business travel, guardianship, and transit. The core categories identified in the search results include the Visitor Visa, NZeTA, Business Visitor Visa, and Transit Visa
- Stay up to 6 months (multiple entry) or 9 months (single entry)
- Can include partner and dependent children
- Study allowed for up to 3 months
- Must show funds and onward travel
For tourism, visiting family/friends, or short‑term study.
For travellers from visa‑waiver countries or cruise passengers.
- Required for visa‑waiver nationals and transit passengers
- Allows stays of up to 3 months, or 6 months for British citizens
- Must be obtained before travel
For short‑term business activities such as meetings or negotiations.
- Must show funds or employer support
- Cannot work for a New Zealand employer
- Short‑term stay only
For travellers passing through New Zealand on the way to another country.
- Required unless visa‑waiver applies or travelling to Australia
- Does not permit entry into New Zealand
A visitor‑plus‑work visa for young travellers.
- Ages 18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries)
- Stay 12–36 months depending on nationality
- Allows temporary work
This visa allows parents and grandparents of NZ citizens or residents to visit family in New Zealand for extended periods.
Key Features
- Stay up to 6 months at a time, with a maximum of 18 months in 3 years
- Must be sponsored by a child or grandchild who is a NZ citizen or resident
- Can include a partner in the application
- Must apply from outside New Zealand
What You Can Do
- Visit children and grandchildren
- Travel in and out of NZ multiple times over 3 years
- Work remotely for an overseas employer (not for a NZ employer)
A newer, longer‑term visitor visa for parents of NZ citizens or residents.
Key Features
- Stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years on a multi‑entry visa
- No limit on the length of each individual visit within the 5‑year period
- Must leave NZ during the third year for a health and insurance check
- Can include a partner in the application
- Can only be granted twice (maximum 10 years total)
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be sponsored by an adult NZ citizen or resident child
- Must have no dependent children
- Must have medical or travel insurance for the entire stay
- Must meet health and character requirements
For a parent or legal guardian accompanying a child studying in New Zealand.
Key Features
- Stay for the same duration as the child’s student visa
- Only one parent or guardian can hold this visa at a time
- Must show NZD $1,000 per month (or $400 if accommodation is prepaid)
What You Can Do
- Live in NZ to care for your child while they study
- Explore NZ as a visitor
- Work or study part‑time only if visa conditions allow
Important Notes
- Child must be 17 or younger, or enrolled in Years 1–13
- Grandparents do not qualify unless they are legal guardians
Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia to New Zealand now benefit from a visa‑free arrangement.
Key Features
- Chinese citizens do not need a Visitor Visa when travelling from Australia to NZ
- They must instead hold a valid NZeTA
- They may stay in NZ for up to 3 months
- Must hold an eligible Australian visa at the time of check‑in (e.g., Subclass 600, 651, 417, 500, 482, 188, etc.)
Requirements
- Must be travelling directly from Australia (not transiting through Australia)
- Must meet health, character, and genuine visitor requirements
- Must have funds and onward travel plans
Table Summary
| Visa Type | Purpose | Maximum Stay | Work Rights | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | Tourism, visiting family/friends, short study | Up to 6–9 months | No | Can include partner/children; must show funds and onward travel |
| NZeTA (Visa Waiver Travel Authority) | Visa‑waiver travel or transit | Up to 3 months (6 months for UK citizens) | No | Required for visa‑waiver nationals and cruise passengers |
| Business Visitor Visa | Short‑term business activities | Short stay | No | For meetings, negotiations, training; no NZ employment |
| Transit Visa | Transit through NZ airport | Airport transit only | No | Required unless exempt or visa‑waiver applies |
| Working Holiday Visa | Travel + temporary work for young travellers | 12–36 months | Yes | Ages 18–30/35 depending on nationality |
| Parent & Grandparent Visitor Visa | Visit NZ‑resident/citizen children or grandchildren | Up to 6 months per visit; 18 months over 3 years | No | Requires sponsorship; multi‑entry |
| Parent Boost Visitor Visa | Long‑term visits for parents of NZ citizens/residents | Up to 5 years (multi‑entry) | No | Must leave NZ in year 3 for checks; can be granted twice (max 10 years) |
| Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa | Live in NZ to care for a child studying here | Same length as child’s student visa | No | For parents/legal guardians of students under 18 or in Years 1–13 |
| Chinese Citizens Travelling From Australia (NZeTA Required) | Visa‑free entry for Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia | Up to 3 months | No | Must hold an eligible Australian visa and obtain an NZeTA |
Get Ready for New Zealand - Make Sure You're Cleated to Fly
Before you board your flight to New Zealand, you must have the right travel documents in place. Don’t risk delays, denied boarding, or last‑minute stress. Take action now to make sure you’re fully prepared and ready for a smooth arrival.
Check You Have the Right Visa or NZeTA
Most travellers must hold either a visa or an NZeTA before they travel to New Zealand.
If you don’t have the correct authority, you won’t be allowed to board.Act now:
- Confirm whether you need a Visitor Visa or an NZeTA
- Apply early to avoid processing delays
- Which Visitor Visa? See our helpful list below.
- Need Help Applying? Contact us today!
2. Make Sure Your Passport Is Valid
You must travel with an acceptable, valid passport or travel document that matches the details on your visa or NZeTA.
Check today:
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand
- It must not be damaged, expired, or reported lost/stolen
- If you get a new passport, you must transfer your visa to it before travelling
3. Gather the Documents You Need to Show on Arrival
Be ready to present documents that prove you meet your visa conditions:
- Your eVisa letter or NZeTA confirmation
- Proof of funds (bank statements)
- Proof of onward travel (return ticket)
Tip: Bring English translations if your documents are in another language.
4. Double‑Check Your Visa Conditions
If you already hold a New Zealand visa, make sure:
- Your passport details match your eVisa
- Your visa allows the activities you plan to do in New Zealand
If anything is incorrect, contact Immigration New Zealand immediately.
Take Action Now — Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute
New Zealand’s border checks are strict, and airlines will not let you board unless everything is correct.
Start now:
- Confirm your visa or NZeTA
- Check your passport validity
- Gather your supporting documents
- Make sure all details match
Arrive confident, prepared, and ready to enjoy your time in New Zealand.