Come to New Zealand (NZ) on express now, irrespective of what your purpose is about. And yes, you can come on visa sponsorship from a company, someone, etc. This is the pathway to applying for New Zealand express visa for immigrants with Sponsorship while you are here.
You can apply to visit New Zealand and obtain permanent residency after a specific purpose. Once you have fulfilled your purpose, you can continue to stay in New Zealand by applying for another Limited Visa to extend your stay. You can then work or study here.
The length of stay depends on the time allowed on your visa. It will be issued based on the time required to achieve the express purpose stated in your application. But then, your sponsoring will pay the cost for a New Zealand tourist visa, which starts at NZD $750.
You Should Have an Express Purpose That’ll Let You Into NZ
Applicants must show a genuine intention to stay temporarily in New Zealand for an express purpose. The evidence required will depend on the purpose of your visit, and this may include:
- Invitations to events or ceremonies you are attending
- Offers of a place at an educational institution in New Zealand
- Medical treatment schedules or confirmation of appointments for medical services in New Zealand
Does New Zealand Offer Visa Sponsorship?
Yes, New Zealand offers visa sponsorship for tourist visa applicants. Some people and organisations are eligible to sponsor your visa application.
Who Can Sponsor Your Visa?
- A New Zealand citizen
- A New Zealand resident with no section 49 conditions on their resident visa
- A refugee sponsoring a family member to come to New Zealand
- An organisation registered in New Zealand, such as a company, an incorporated society, or a charitable trust
- A government agency, including tertiary education providers or a school’s board of trustees
- A community organisation, but only if you are a refugee
Visa sponsorship can help support your application, but you must still meet all other visa requirements.
New Zealand Express Visa for Immigrants – Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the only type of visa you can apply for while you’re in the country is another Limited Visa. This is only granted if you require more time to carry out your specific purpose. In cases where you apply for a Visitor Visa or a student visa, New Zealand Immigration may sometimes offer you a Limited Visa instead. Before granting this visa, you will be given the chance to comment on it.
You cannot work in New Zealand under a Limited Visa unless the visa was specifically granted for you to work with a Recognised Seasonal Employer. And if you apply for this visa, you may be required to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The cost of this levy depends on the country you are applying from, and you will find this information in the Process and Costs section of the visa application.
What You Need to Apply
Before applying for a New Zealand Tourist Visa, you must ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and provide the necessary documents.
Identity
You must provide proof of your identity. This includes two acceptable photos of your head and shoulders, along with your passport or certificate of identity.
If you choose to submit a certified copy of your passport, New Zealand Immigration may request the original passport during the processing of your application.
Character check
You must have good character to be granted a visa. If you have any criminal convictions or are considered a security risk to New Zealand, your application may be refused. Police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, even if you have made multiple visits and have been out of the country since then.
Health condition
You must be in good health to enter New Zealand. Depending on the length of your stay, a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both may be required. For stays of less than 6 months, a chest X-ray is usually not needed, and for stays of less than 12 months, a medical certificate is generally not required.
Genuine Intentions
You must genuinely intend to stay in New Zealand temporarily for a specific purpose. This purpose may include visiting, studying, or working. Evidence to support your intentions can include documents such as invitations to events, medical treatment schedules, or offers from education providers.
When evaluating your application, immigration officials will consider both the documents you provide and information related to your personal circumstances and past visa applications.
Express Purpose
If you intend to stay in New Zealand temporarily for an express purpose, you must provide evidence supporting this. The type of evidence required will depend on your specific purpose. For example, if you are visiting for an event, you should provide invitations, while offers from educational providers are necessary for those planning to study. Similarly, if you are seeking medical treatment, you will need confirmation or a schedule of the treatment.
Funds or sponsorship
You must ensure that you have enough funds to cover your stay in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor to support your visit.
How Much Money Will My New Zealand Sponsor Pay for Me to Migrate?
The amount of money required depends on the purpose of your trip. For tourist sponsor, the minimum fund is NZ $1,000 per person, per month. If you are coming to study, the requirement increases to NZ $1,250 per person, per month.
Acceptable forms of evidence include:
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Bank drafts
- Travellers’ cheques
- A completed ‘Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry’ by a valid sponsor
- A completed ‘Financial Undertaking for a Student’ form
Your sponsor must be able to provide proof that they can cover your living expenses and onward travel. Evidence might include recent bank statements showing they have enough funds for your return ticket.
You will also need to show you have a ticket to leave New Zealand or sufficient funds to purchase one. This can be proven with a return ticket, or by demonstrating your sponsor’s capacity to fund your travel out of the country.
Upon arrival, you might be asked to provide additional proof of your intention to leave New Zealand, such as a return ticket or the funds needed to buy one.
Relationship with family
If you wish to include your partner and children in your visa application, you need to show that you have a genuine and valid relationship with them. Evidence is required to prove this relationship.
Documents needed include:
- Marriage certificates (for your spouse)
- Birth certificates (for your children)
- Proof of identity for each family member
- Medical records proving that they are in good health
- Documentation showing they are of good character
Family members must also meet all the health and character requirements as part of the visa application process.
You Can Fast Track Visa for New Zealand… But Not on Your Own
We have faced a similar situation with our visa application. It was a complicated process involving a complex background and a significant amount of paperwork. We ended up having to restart the entire process, beginning with an Expression of Interest, gathering points, and applying for a work visa. The difficulties we faced in managing the details of the visa process required a complete reset and re-evaluation.
We made the decision to hire an immigration lawyer to guide us through the process. The cost came to approximately $5000, which at the time felt like a considerable investment. The lawyer’s main task was to fill out the same forms that we could have done ourselves. However, they made fewer errors, ensuring that the application was handled correctly the first time. Some people might argue that this service is not necessarily worth the price, as the forms and documents are accessible to the public, and anyone can fill them out on their own with careful attention.
However, the crucial element for us was the assistance of a highly skilled immigration barrister. This individual was instrumental in navigating the intricacies of New Zealand’s immigration laws. He was so well-versed in the process that the New Zealand government consulted him whenever they needed to update or revise their immigration laws. His expertise allowed him to know every workaround within the system, making him a valuable asset during the application process. Thanks to his knowledge, we were able to successfully navigate the complications and secure our visa.
The barrister was not only able to help us but also provided the same level of service for my parents. His guidance and understanding of the legal framework were crucial in both cases, ensuring that all paperwork was in order and deadlines were met without issue.
The lesson we took from this experience is that hiring a highly qualified lawyer to manage the visa application process can be beneficial, especially when complications arise. While they do come at a significant cost, their attention to detail, ability to handle paperwork, and communication with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) can streamline the process. A lawyer who knows the system well can save you time and effort, ensuring that the process proceeds as smoothly as possible. Even though the lawyer we worked with has since passed away due to illness, we were fortunate enough to receive a recommendation from him for another lawyer, who continues to work in Whangaparaoa. This lawyer took over the cases that remained after his passing and has continued to provide high-quality service.
I would only recommend this path if you’re facing significant complications with your application. Delays, excessive paperwork, or other issues that make the process difficult to navigate on your own would justify seeking legal help.
A lawyer won’t be able to expedite your place in the waiting line. Immigration processes have their timelines, and no lawyer can guarantee a faster resolution simply by skipping ahead.
Visa Approval Timeline
80% of tourist visa applications are processed within 5 weeks.
Embassy Can Decline Express Applications
Embassies are careful in issuing visas, especially to those who may overstay or cause trouble during their stay. The cost of dealing with such cases can outweigh the financial benefits the applicant may bring to the country.
Visa approvals are largely based on the profile of the applicant, which includes factors such as nationality, residence, age, employment, education, marital status, and whether they have children.
Many documents submitted for visa applications can be easily fabricated, such as bank statements or letters of invitation. However, documents that are more difficult to falsify, like death certificates for those attending a funeral, may carry more weight in the decision process.
Read Also: New Zealand Study Visa for Immigrants with Visa Sponsorship