Visa Requirements

Visa Requirements

(Note: Australian Citizens do not need visas to visit or work in New Zealand) You must get a visitor's visa before travelling to New Zealand unless you are a citizen of one of the following visa-waiver countries:
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, UK, USA, South Korea, Brunei, South Africa or Czech Republic.

A visitor's permit is normally issued for three months (6 months for British Citizens) on arrival. Visitors wishing to extend their stay should apply for an extension before their current permit expires. However, if you intend to stay longer than three months you should apply for a visitor's visa for the required length of time (up to 9 months) before you arrive in New Zealand.

Work Visas

If you intend to work in New Zealand you must apply for a work visa (if outside of New Zealand) or work permit (if in New Zealand). You will need to have been offered a job which cannot be filled by a New Zealander. If you apply while visiting New Zealand, a work permit may be granted up to a maximum of nine months, or if from outside New Zealand up to three years.

Working Holiday Scheme

Young people (18-30 years) from some countries can apply for a Working Holiday Visa which entitles them to undertake short-term casual work in New Zealand, such as fruit picking. At the time of publication the policy allowed for up to 2000 UK citizens to be granted working holiday visas each year (beginning July 1), 250 Republic of Ireland citizens, 200 Canadian, 100 Malaysian, and an unlimited number of young people from Japan. Visa applications must be made before you leave your home country. People planning to visit New Zealand are advised to contact their nearest New Zealand Immigration Service office to confirm their individual visa requirements. sa requirements.