Many countries have treaties which allow their citizens to enter New Zealand without applying for Visitor visa beforehand. Citizens of these countries must still meet certain entry conditions, and must complete a New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card (available at all New Zealand airports) on arrival. After these steps are complete they can be issued a Visitor visa, which allows them to stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months (6 months for citizens of the United Kingdom).
The full list of New Zealand visa waiver countries can be found below.
Eligibility requirements
In order to be granted a Visitor visa on arrival in New Zealand, visa waiver travellers must met several eligibility requirements, these include:
Having a valid passport and other travel documents
Having a return on onward travel ticket. Travellers must buy this ticket before entering New Zealand. Unlike those who apply for a Visitor visa before entering New Zealand, simply having funds to pay for a ticket is not sufficient for visa waiver travellers.
Proving that they have sufficient maintenance funds for their time in New Zealand, this means one of the following:
NZ $*000 per month, or
NZ $400 per month if their accommodation is already paid for
A completed New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card (available at all New Zealand airports), which declares that the holder is of good health and character
Visa waiver list
Citizens of the following countries can take advantage of New Zealand's visa waiver program:
Andorra | Hungary | Romania |
*Non-citizens travelling on alien's passports issued by these countries are not eligible for the visa waiver program, and must apply for a Visitor visa before travelling to New Zealand.
** Only those with passports issued after January 1st 2006.
*** Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passports.
**** Holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports.
***** Only those with the right to live in Portugal indefinitely.
****** Only permanent residents of Taiwan.
******* Including US nationals.
Further Information, help, and advice
Workpermit.com has over twenty years of experience helping people immigrate to countries all over the World. Whether you wish to visit, work, or study in New Zealand our specialist team of immigration experts can help you with one to one advice, information, and representation when applying for your New Zealand visa or work permit.
For more information and advice on New Zealand immigration law and visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
