Are you planning on traveling to NZ, but you’re unsure about how the New Zealand visitors visa works? Let me explain.
US citizens don’t need a New Zealand Visitors visa but however, require a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
There are only 60 countries exempt from the Visitor visa. Citizens who apply for a visitor visa will have to apply online, where the cost will be around $100 – $125. After your application, the waiting time is around 12 – 30 working days before you receive your visa.
So let’s go into detail.
This section will answer the most important NEW ZEALAND VISITOR VISA INFORMATION question, “Do I as a US citizen need a visa for New Zealand?”.
Do US Citizens Need A Visa For NZ?
No, US citizens are on the list of visa waiver countries and, therefore only need to apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
See New Zealand Visa for US Citizens – How To Get Your NZeTA for more information on the NZeTA.
Do US Green Card Holders Need A Visa For NZ?
If your passport is from a country that is not on the visa waiver list, then yes you will need to apply for a visitor’s visa.
The list of visa waiver countries are:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia (citizens only), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (residents with HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, South, Kuwait, Latvia (citizens only), Liechtenstein, Lithuania (citizens only), Luxembourg, Macau (only if you have a Macau Special Administrative Region passport), Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal (if you have the right to live permanently in Portugal), Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (if you are a permanent resident), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK) (if you are travelling on a UK or British passport that shows you have the right to reside permanently in the UK), United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals), Uruguay, and Vatican City.
In-depth Detail About The New Zealand Visitors Visa
This section gives an overview of everything you would like NEW ZEALAND VISA TYPES to know about the visitor visa for NZ.
What Is A New Zealand Visitors Visa?
This New Zealand visitors visa allows a person to travel to the NZ border and allows a person to enter NZ and stay there for a specified period of time. Hence a visa grants you permission to enter New Zealand.
What Does A Visitors Visa For New Zealand Allow?
It allows you to:
- Visit NZ as a tourist
- Visit friends or family
- Enter NZ to get married
- Play sports or participate in cultural events without pay
- Short term study (School-aged visitors or students can study or go to school for three months in each of the 12-month periods your visa is valid)
What Is The Validity Of The Visitors Visa For New Zealand?
The visitor visa is limited to a maximum stay of nine months in an 18-month period.
The 18-month period is calculated backward from the last day you intend to be in New Zealand. For example, if the last day you’ll be here is 1 December, your 18-month period will begin on 1 June of the year before.
What Is The New Zealand Visitor Visa Fee?
The visitor visa fees are:
- Citizens from a pacific country: Approximately $100
- Citizens from the rest of the world: Approximately $125
Additionally, you will have to pay these 2 mandatory fees:
- Immigration Levy: Approximately $13
- International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL): Approximately $23
However, fees are subject to change without notice; check your application fee here.
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