Now is the time to find out about the New Zealand tourist visa as an immigrant, and you will also have access to Visa Sponsorship, which allows you to come to New Zealand for free.
If you are planning to visit New Zealand for tourism purposes, what you will need is a visitor visa. This visa typically allows you to stay in New Zealand for a period ranging from 6 to 9 months, depending on the embassy’s discretion. The visa itself usually comes with a validity of up to 18 months.
When someone sponsors your visa application, they must first take a couple of steps before New Zealand’s immigration authorities can assess your application. The sponsor will need to provide their full name, email address, and a Sharing ID. Once you have these details, you can proceed to fill out the online visa application form.
Who Can Sponsor for a Visitor Visa to New Zealand?
New Zealand allows certain people and organisations to sponsor your tourist visa application. This can include:
- A New Zealand citizen
- A New Zealand resident, provided their resident visa does not have section 49 conditions
- A refugee, but only if they are sponsoring a family member to visit New Zealand
- An organisation registered in New Zealand, such as a company, incorporated society, or charitable trust
- A government agency – examples include tertiary education providers or school boards of trustees
- A community organisation – but only in cases where you are a refugee seeking sponsorship.
Your sponsor plays an important role in your visa application, as they help support your stay in New Zealand during your visit.
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a New Zealand Tourist Visa?
If you are being sponsored, your sponsor must provide evidence that they can support you financially while you are in New Zealand.
Some of the evidence your sponsor can provide includes recent bank statements, pay slips, or an employment agreement. They may also need to show proof of accommodation, such as ownership documents or rental payment receipts.
In terms of specific requirements, if you are sponsored, your sponsor must prove that they can meet certain financial criteria. For example, you must have at least NZD $1,000 per month available for your stay, or NZD $400 per month if your accommodation is already paid for.
Evidence that you can provide to meet these requirements can include pre-paid hotel vouchers or receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, bank drafts, or travellers’ cheques. Your sponsor’s Sharing ID will also be required when completing the online application.
New Zealand Tourist Visa for Immigrants – Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand
If someone wants to sponsor your visa to New Zealand, they must meet the criteria for an acceptable sponsor. Sponsors need to provide evidence of their ability to support you by completing a sponsorship form.
What Your Sponsor Must Do
Sponsors are required to show that they meet the necessary sponsorship criteria. They can do this either online or with a paper form, depending on the visa type you are applying for.
Applying for a Visitor Visa or AEWV Online
If you are applying for a Visitor Visa or an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), and your sponsor will be supporting you, certain steps must be followed:
- For Visitor Visas, your sponsor must financially support you during your stay.
- For AEWV, your sponsor may cover your maternity costs if applicable.
During your online visa application, you will need to enter your sponsor’s details, such as their full name, email address, and sharing ID. You must contact your sponsor to request this information before submitting your application.
Getting a Sharing ID
Your sponsor can find their sharing ID by logging into Immigration Online using their RealMe account. If they don’t have a RealMe account, they must create one. This account will allow them to access their sharing ID. You can direct your sponsor to the relevant page for help if they need assistance in finding their sharing ID.
Once you receive the sharing ID from your sponsor, you can enter it on the ‘Supporting documents’ page of your online application. After submitting your application, Immigration New Zealand will contact your sponsor to fill out the sponsorship form online. The information provided in this form will help Immigration New Zealand decide if your sponsor can fulfil their responsibilities for you during your stay.
When to Use the Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)
Your sponsor must complete the Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025) if you are applying for any of the following:
- A Group Visitor Visa
- A partnership-based Visitor Visa
- Another visa type
- A paper-based visa application
If applying online, the form needs to be scanned and uploaded to the portal in the ‘upload documents’ section. For paper applications, the form should be posted with your application.
If Your Sponsor Needs Help
If your sponsor is unable to complete the form by themselves, they can have someone else do it on their behalf.
In such cases, they will need to fill out a Sponsor and Supporting Partner Declaration form. This form ensures that the individual completing the sponsorship on their behalf has the necessary permissions to do so.
Important Steps for the Sponsor
Whether applying online or via paper, your sponsor needs to be clear about their responsibilities. Their role is to financially and legally support your stay in New Zealand. They must provide accurate and up-to-date evidence of their ability to sponsor you. Immigration New Zealand uses this information to assess whether the sponsor is capable of covering your accommodation, daily expenses, and any other required support.
It is important that your sponsor completes all necessary forms correctly and provides all supporting documents required. If they fail to meet the sponsorship requirements or provide incomplete information, it could delay your visa application or lead to a rejection. Therefore, they should be thorough when filling out forms and submitting supporting evidence.
Sponsors who are part of organisations, government agencies, or community groups also need to ensure they meet the specific criteria for sponsorship. Organisations registered in New Zealand must be incorporated as companies, charitable trusts, or incorporated societies. These sponsors can play a crucial role, especially when sponsoring refugees or group visa applications.
A sponsor’s financial position is evaluated using recent bank statements, pay slips, and proof of accommodation, like rent receipts or ownership papers. This evidence helps Immigration New Zealand determine if your sponsor can provide for your needs while you stay in the country.
What is the success rate of the New Zealand tourist visa?
As of 2023, more than 519,400 visitor visa applications were submitted to New Zealand, and 81% of these applications were approved. So, from this INZ stat, that is 19% rejection rate. The visa process is generally simple and hassle-free. Many people, including myself, have found the process simple. I applied for my visa, submitted all the necessary documents, and got my tourist visa approved within 10 days.
Working with a reliable company or agent for your bookings can also help to ensure that your visa application goes smoothly. If you have any questions during the process, you can always contact the New Zealand embassy for support.
When attending your visa interview at the New Zealand High Commission, it’s important to be open and honest in your responses. Most applicants who follow the process and meet the requirements receive their visas without issues.
What is the benefit of a tourist visa in New Zealand?
A New Zealand Visitor Visa allows you to stay in the country for up to either 6 months (multiple entry) or 9 months (single entry). While on this visa, you cannot work, but you can study for up to 3 months during your stay.
With a New Zealand tourist visa, you can:
- Enjoy holidays and travel around New Zealand.
- Visit family and friends who live in New Zealand.
- Include your partner and dependent children in your visa application.
- Study for a short period of up to 3 months during your visit.
For individuals from countries that do not have visa-free entry to New Zealand, the Visitor Visa provides a structured way to visit the country for leisure, family visits, or short-term study.
Embassy Can Decline If…
New Zealand embassies assess visa applications carefully. Issuing tourist visas to individuals who overstay or cause issues can result in higher costs for New Zealand, far outweighing any economic benefits brought by tourism.
Most visa applications are judged based on the applicant’s overall profile. Factors such as nationality, place of residence, age, employment status, education, marital status, and whether the applicant has children are all taken into consideration.
In some cases, documentation can be fabricated. For instance, financial documents can be manipulated by transferring one-off financial sums into bank accounts. However, certain documents, such as death certificates for attending a funeral, are much harder to falsify, and embassies often look for such genuine proof during the visa evaluation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to convert a tourist visa to a work visa in New Zealand?
Yes, it is possible to convert a tourist visa to a work visa in New Zealand if you receive a job offer from an accredited employer. The employer must provide you with a job token for your role. You can apply for the work visa while you are still in New Zealand. However, you are not allowed to begin working until the work visa is approved. During the application process, you can stay in New Zealand until a decision is made on your work visa.
Can I go to New Zealand on a visitor visa and find a job?
Yes, you can visit New Zealand on a tourist visa and search for a job. The visitor visa allows you to enter the country and look for job opportunities. However, you must ensure that you do not breach any conditions of your visitor visa, such as working, studying, or overstaying without the correct visa. While you can explore employment possibilities, you must obtain the appropriate work visa before starting any job in New Zealand.
Can I apply for another visa while on a tourist visa in New Zealand?
Yes, you can apply for a ‘variation of conditions’ to your visitor visa in New Zealand under certain circumstances. This can be done if you want to work part-time as a dependent child waiting for a residence visa decision, or if you wish to study part-time for longer than three months. You can also apply to do seasonal work in the horticulture or viticulture sectors, such as fruit picking. If needed, you can also adjust your travel conditions under the visitor visa.
How many years can you stay in New Zealand on a tourist visa?
With a New Zealand tourist visa, you can stay for up to either 6 months if you have a multiple entry visa, or up to 9 months if you have a single entry visa. While on this visa, you are not allowed to work. However, you can enrol in a short-term study programme for up to 3 months during your stay in New Zealand. Make sure to follow all the conditions of your tourist visa during your stay.
Is a New Zealand tourist visa easy to get?
Yes, getting a New Zealand tourist visa is generally straightforward. The key to approval is convincing the immigration officer that you are a genuine visitor and that you will return to your home country at the end of your visit. This can be demonstrated through strong documentation, such as evidence of ties to your home country or financial stability. The better your supporting documents and the clearer your intentions, the higher your chances of being granted a tourist visa. Having well-prepared documents is essential for a smooth visa approval process.
Read Also: New Zealand Study Visa for Immigrants with Visa Sponsorship