The New Zealand Visitor Visa for Indian Citizens: Complete Application Guide for 2024

Are you an Indian citizen who's looking to explore the beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture of New Zealand? Before you pack your bags, you must know about the New Zealand Visitor Visa application process for Indian citizens.

Don't worry; we've got you covered with a handy guide that will walk you through everything you need to know, from the New Zealand Visitor Visa requirements and documents to the fees and processing times.

Let's get started and make your New Zealand adventure a reality!

Which New Zealand Tourist Visa do Indian citizens need?

New Zealand offers various visas, and finding out which one you need as an Indian passport holder can be a hassle.

Check the differences between New Zealand visas and the ETA, and which one to choose for your trip.

What is the New Zealand Visitor Visa?

This New Zealand Visa for Indian citizens is an official travel document that allows temporary entry to the country for the following purposes:

• Tourism activities.

• Playing sports and participating in cultural activities (without getting paid).

• Visiting a family member or friend.

• Short studies for less than 3 months.

• Getting married (additional conditions may apply).

The New Zealand Visitor Visa is not an eVisa, requiring a visit to the embassy in India to drop off documents and more. However, with our tips and guidance, the process is a piece of cake!

Apply now!

What is the New Zealand ETA?

The New Zealand ETA is an electronic visa that allows eligible travelers to visit the country for a short period.

Indian citizens cannot apply for the ETA, only for the Visitor Visa. It’s also valid for a shorter period of time, and thus less flexible.

While it’s usually quicker to apply for an ETA, as it just needs a few details and can be done online, you can apply for the Visitor Visa quickly and easily with the help of iVisa!

Other short-term visas for New Zealand

Additionally, New Zealand also offers a Business Visa for up to 3 months for attending conferences or meeting clients. You must be able to show sufficient funds or have the financial support of your employer.

If you are transiting through New Zealand, you need to apply for a Transit Visa, unless you are traveling to Australia or are from a visa-waiver or transit visa-waiver country.

Working or studying in New Zealand

As mentioned above, the Visitor Visa also allows Indian visitors to study in New Zealand for less than 3 months.

If you want to work in New Zealand or study for longer than 3 months, you should apply for a Work Visa or Student Visa via the New Zealand embassy near you.

Eligible criteria to get the New Zealand Visa from India

Indian citizens must apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa to visit the country. Before you start the application process, ensure you meet the requirements first:

• You are of good character and do not have a criminal record.

• You currently do not experience health problems that can harm New Zealand society.

• You are not planning to visit New Zealand for longer than 9 months.

• You have enough money to support yourself financially during your entire stay in New Zealand, or you can show a sponsorship letter.

Sounds simple, right? Apply now with iVisa!

Validity of the New Zealand Visitor Visa

The New Zealand Visitor Visa is valid for stays up to 270 days in Total within an 18-month period. It’s a Multiple Entry document, which means you can visit the country multiple times, as long as you do not exceed the total stay of 9 months.

Example of how to calculate the validity of your visa: You have a Visitor Visa and travel to New Zealand to visit family for 1 month, after which you leave the country.

However, you love New Zealand so much that you enroll in a short study program for 3 months. You can still enter New Zealand within 17 months (18 months minus 1) and visit for up to 8 months (9 months minus 1).

In this example, you’ll even have time to explore the country beyond your short study program!

Is it possible to extend the New Zealand Visitor Visa?

Before your New Zealand Visa expires, you can apply for another 3 months’ stay and extend the visa to 12 months in a 24-month period if:

• You need more time for your travel plans.

• You are not able to leave New Zealand for reasons beyond your control.

• You applied for residency for the first time (conditions apply).

New Zealand Visitor Visa fee: Costs for Indian citizens

The total costs of the New Zealand Visitor Visa application can be broken down into two parts:

• The New Zealand government fee for Indian citizens: US$153 - It’s a sum of the application, immigration, and international visitor fee.

• The iVisa processing fee: US$149.99 We include the New Zealand government fee in the total costs when applying online.

Why apply for the New Zealand Visitor Visa with iVisa?

Enjoy the following benefits included in the application with iVisa:

• 100% government-compliant: An iVisa Expert will review your application carefully and ensure it’s 100% compliant with the government requirements.

• Unlimited access to your iVisa Expert: You’ll be assigned a personal iVisa Expert to guide you through the entire application process and answer all your questions.

• Simplified process: The visa application can be confusing and tedious. At iVisa, we only include relevant questions, making the form up to 50% shorter than usual.

• Fill out at your own pace: Save your progress, make changes, and come back to it later whenever you need a break.

• Step-by-step guide: Apply with us and receive a PDF manual with all the tips you need to answer difficult sections and a step-by-step guide to get your Visitor Visa without problems.

• iVisa values your safety: We have a solid security system to protect your personal information and payment details.

Apply for your valid New Zealand visa now and let us do all the hard work for you

Processing time for the New Zealand Visitor Visa in 2023

We recommend applying well in advance, at least 2 months before your trip.

It can take up to 30 days for the New Zealand Visitor Visas (in 90% of cases) to be granted. This is influenced by the volume of applicants and the staff availability at the New Zealand visa application center.

An iVisa Expert will always carefully double-check your application to ensure it’s complete, correctly filled out, and meets all the New Zealand authorities’ requirements.

New Zealand Visitor Visa application: How to apply from India

To apply for the New Zealand Visitor Visa online, simply follow these steps on our website:

• Step 1: Fill out our simplified visa application form. We will carefully double-check your info to ensure it’s complete.

• Step 2: Pay the New Zealand Visitor Visa fees securely online with a credit/debit card or PayPal.

• Step 3: Follow the instructions in the step-by-step guide that is emailed to you by us to gather all required documents, where to submit them, how to make an appointment at the embassy, and more.

We will guide you from start to finish to get your visa approved quickly and affordably!

New Zealand Visitor Visa required documents for Indian citizens

To apply online for the New Zealand Visitor Visa, Indian travelers must submit the following documents:

• Scanned copies of your original passport and proof of residency if you live in another country.

• Applicant photo - Get an official photo using our digital photo service from the comfort of your own home, or read more about the photo regulations in the next section.

• Travel plans such as confirmations of accommodation and a return ticket to India.

• Evidence of financial status to prove you have the funds required to pay for your stay in New Zealand. These can be bank statements, salary slips, or a letter from a sponsor.

• Australian Visa and other travel documents (if applicable) if you plan to visit Australia during or after your stay in New Zealand.

• Proof of good health (if applicable): Indians only need to provide a chest x-ray or medical examination as evidence of good health if they plan to visit New Zealand for 6 months or more.

• Police certificate (if applicable) as part of the character requirements, if you intend to stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months.

Receive a complete list of documents and how to submit them by applying with us online! You’ll have to show your valid visa status upon arrival in New Zealand.

New Zealand Visitor Visa requirements for children

Of course, it’s possible to include your partner and any dependent children up to 19 years old by clicking ‘Add another person’ during the visa application process on our website.

Dependent children must meet similar health, character, and financial requirements as adult applicants for the application to be processed.

New Zealand Visitor Visa passport requirements

To apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa, tourists must have a valid passport from India. Check the requirements here:

• Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from New Zealand.

• It's important to ensure your passport is not damaged or expired.

• Additionally, provide a copy of your passport bio page. It does not need to be a certified copy.

• If you are applying from a country other than India, you must also provide proof of residency from that country.

New Zealand Visitor Visa photo requirements

The New Zealand photo requirements for Indian citizens are as follows:

• Color photo (not black and white).

• Taken in the last 6 months.

• Size of 45mm by 35mm.

To get a photo for your New Zealand Visitor Visa application that meets all criteria, use our affordable digital photo service.

Simply fill out India as your home country, and destination New Zealand, and get a valid photo for as little as US$5.99. Or download the iVisa app for an even easier process!

What to do when your New Zealand Visitor Visa in India was denied

Was your New Zealand Tourist Visa application denied in India? In such cases, you can do the following:

• Always request the reason why your application was denied by the immigration department of New Zealand. This will help you to avoid the issue in the future.

• Reapply with iVisa. In some cases, it’s possible to appeal the decision. Find out more on the government website of New Zealand.

When applying with us, our experts will do their best to ensure your application meets all requirements. However, the approval of your Visitor Visa application is still up to the New Zealand authorities.

How to prepare for the New Zealand Visitor Visa interview in India

If you are required to attend an interview for the New Zealand Visitor Visa application in India, follow these tips to prepare:

1. Check the visa and entry requirements: Including the necessary documents and criteria.

2. Practice English: If you are not a native English speaker, practice speaking in English to build confidence and ensure you can answer all common interview questions about your reasons for visiting New Zealand.

3. Be truthful: Answer all questions honestly and provide documentation to support your statements.

4. Dress appropriately: Dress respectfully for the interview, like you’re dressing for an office visit.

5. Remain calm and composed: Don't raise your voice or get angry. Ask for clarification if you’re unsure of any questions or requirements.

By applying with us, you’ll get all the tips from applicants and experts for a successful interview.

Contact us about the New Zealand Visitor Visa application

If you have any questions about the New Zealand Visitor Visa from Indian citizens or another travel document, and can’t find the answer on this page, consult our customer support team via online chat or email [email protected].