| Key takeaways – The New Zealand tourist visa is officially called the Visitor Visa. It is for holidays, visiting family and friends, short business trips, and study of up to three months. – Citizens of visa-waiver countries usually do not need this visa — they request an NZeTA instead. Travellers from other countries must apply for a Visitor Visa before flying. – A Visitor Visa lets you stay up to 6 months (multiple entry) or up to 9 months (single entry). You cannot work for a New Zealand employer. – The total cost from outside New Zealand is from NZD $441 — an application fee of NZD $341 plus the NZD $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). – You generally need to show NZD $1,000 per month (or NZD $400 per month if your accommodation is already paid for), or have an acceptable sponsor. – Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of Visitor Visa applications within about two weeks. Apply online — paper forms are slower. |
New Zealand tourist visa — officially called the Visitor Visa — lets you holiday, see family and friends, attend short business meetings, or study for up to three months in New Zealand for as long as nine months at a time. Whether you need to apply for one at all depends on the passport you hold: some travellers can enter on a quick online travel authority instead. This guide explains who needs a visa, what it costs in 2026, the funds and documents required, how long you can stay, and how to apply step by step.
What is the New Zealand tourist visa?
The Visitor Visa is New Zealand’s standard short-stay visa for people who are coming temporarily and intend to leave again. It is a flexible visa: the same application covers tourism, visiting relatives, business meetings and conferences, medical treatment, and short courses. You can also include your partner and dependent children in a single application.
What you can do on it: holiday and travel around the country, stay with family or friends, attend meetings or negotiate contracts, and study for up to three months. If you want to study for longer, you will need a New Zealand student visa instead.
What you cannot do: you cannot work for a New Zealand employer on a Visitor Visa. Working remotely for a business based outside New Zealand is generally allowed, but taking up local employment is not. If your plans are longer-term, it is worth reading about how to migrate to New Zealand before you travel.
Do you need a New Zealand tourist visa or an NZeTA?
This is the first thing to check, because it changes both the process and the price. New Zealand splits short-term visitors into three groups based on the passport they travel on.
Australian citizens do not need a visa or an NZeTA, and can usually live and work in New Zealand freely under a long-standing arrangement between the two countries.
Visa-waiver travellers — citizens of around 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, most of the European Union, Japan and Singapore — do not need a Visitor Visa for short trips. Instead, they request an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) online before flying. How far your passport gets you visa-free is something we cover in our passport rankings for 2026.
Everyone else must apply for a Visitor Visa before travelling to New Zealand. If you are not sure which group you are in, the safest step is to check your nationality on the official Immigration New Zealand website.
| Feature | NZeTA (visa-waiver travellers) | Visitor Visa (everyone else) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Citizens of ~60 visa-waiver countries | Citizens of non-waiver countries |
| How you apply | Online request or mobile app | Online application with documents |
| Cost (incl. IVL) | NZD $117 (app) / NZD $123 (website) | From NZD $441 |
| Validity | Up to 2 years, multiple visits | Single or multiple entry |
| Length of each stay | Up to 3 months (6 months for UK passports) | Up to 6 or 9 months |
| Typical decision time | Often within 72 hours | 80% within ~2 weeks |
New Zealand tourist visa eligibility requirements
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) assesses every applicant against a consistent set of conditions. In plain terms, you need to convince INZ that you are a genuine visitor who can fund the trip and will go home at the end of it.
You must hold a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date you plan to leave New Zealand. You must be in good health and of good character — serious medical conditions or certain criminal convictions can complicate an application. You also need to show genuine ties to your home country, a clear reason for the visit, and a realistic plan to leave when your visa expires. Crucially, you must not intend to work for a New Zealand employer.
How much money do you need to show for a New Zealand tourist visa?
You must prove you can support yourself for the whole trip. INZ sets the benchmark at NZD $1,000 per month, which drops to NZD $400 per month if your accommodation is already paid for. Alternatively, an acceptable sponsor in New Zealand can take on responsibility for your costs. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, credit card limits, or a sponsorship form.
| Your situation | Funds you must show |
|---|---|
| Standard visit (paying your own way) | NZD $1,000 per month of your stay |
| Accommodation already paid for | NZD $400 per month of your stay |
| Supported by an acceptable sponsor | Sponsor covers costs (sponsorship form required) |
Documents required for a New Zealand tourist visa
The online form tells you exactly what to upload for your situation, but most applicants need the following. Having clear scans ready before you start makes the 15-minute form much faster.
- A passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure, plus a recent passport-style photo.
- Evidence of funds — bank statements, or a sponsorship form if someone is supporting you.
- Your travel plans — return or onward flights, or a booking itinerary, and accommodation details.
- Proof of ties to your home country, such as employment, study, or family commitments, you will return to.
- A chest X-ray or medical certificate is required if you are staying for more than 6 months or if you are from certain countries.
- English translations for any document not already in English.
New Zealand tourist visa fees and levies (2026)
Two separate charges make up the headline price: the visa application fee and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which funds tourism infrastructure and conservation. The IVL tripled from NZD $35 to NZD $100 on 1 October 2024, so older guides quote much lower totals.
For most applicants applying from outside New Zealand, the total payable to INZ is from NZD $441. Depending on your country, a Visa Application Centre (VAC) may charge a separate service fee for handling biometrics and documents; these VAC fees rose in many countries on 1 January 2026, so check with your local centre.
| Charge | Amount (NZD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa application fee | $341 | Includes the immigration levy |
| International Visitor Levy (IVL) | $100 | Non-refundable; funds conservation & tourism |
| Total to Immigration New Zealand | From $441 | Per person, applying from overseas |
| NZeTA (visa-waiver travellers) | $117 – $123 | App $17 / website $23, plus $100 IVL |
| VAC service fee | Varies | Extra, if a Visa Application Centre is used |
Fees are non-refundable even if your application is declined. Citizens of many Pacific countries pay lower fees and no IVL; from 1 June 2026, eligible Pacific nationals applying from overseas pay a temporarily reduced total of NZD $161 for a 12-month period.
How to apply for a New Zealand tourist visa step by step
Almost everyone now applies online through the official Immigration New Zealand website. The form is dynamic — it only asks for what your situation requires — and usually takes under 15 minutes once your documents are ready.
- Create an account and start the visitor visa application. Go to the Immigration New Zealand site, set up a RealMe or INZ account, and open the Visitor Visa form.
- Complete the online form. Answer the questions about your trip, finances and background. The form adapts to your answers.
- Upload your documents. Attach your passport, photo, proof of funds, travel plans and any medical or translation documents.
- Pay the fee and IVL. Pay the application fee and the IVL online by card. Keep the confirmation email as proof of payment.
- Provide biometrics if asked. Some applicants must give fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Centre.
- Wait for the decision. INZ emails you the outcome. If approved, your visa is usually linked electronically to your passport.
Processing times and how long you can stay
INZ aims to decide 80% of Visitor Visa applications within about two weeks, though busy periods and complex cases can take longer. Applying three to four weeks before you travel gives a comfortable buffer.
How long you can stay depends on the type of visa granted. A multiple-entry visa lets you come and go and stay up to a total of six months in any 12-month period. A single-entry visa can allow a continuous stay of up to nine months. Passport holders from some Pacific countries may be eligible for a 24-month multiple-entry Visitor Visa.
| Visa type | Maximum stay | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-entry Visitor Visa | Up to 6 months in any 12-month period | Repeat trips, regional travel |
| Single-entry Visitor Visa | Up to 9 months continuous | One longer holiday or family visit |
| Pacific multiple-entry | Up to 24 months (if eligible) | Eligible Pacific passport holders |
You can apply to extend your stay from within New Zealand, but the total time on Visitor Visas is capped (generally nine months in an 18-month period for most travellers). A Visitor Visa does not lead to residence on its own; if you want to settle, look at study, work, or permanent residence in New Zealand pathways instead.
Frequently asked questions
Is the New Zealand tourist visa the same as the Visitor Visa?
Yes. ‘Tourist visa’ is the everyday name people search for; Immigration New Zealand calls it the Visitor Visa. The same visa covers tourism, family visits, short business trips and study of up to three months.
Can I work on a New Zealand tourist visa?
No. You cannot work for a New Zealand employer on a Visitor Visa. Working remotely for a business based outside New Zealand is generally permitted, but local employment is not.
How much money do I need for a New Zealand tourist visa?
You generally need to show NZD $1,000 for each month of your stay, or NZD $400 per month if your accommodation is already paid for. An acceptable sponsor can cover your costs instead.
Do I need an NZeTA if I already have a visa?
No. The NZeTA is the alternative for visa-waiver travellers who do not need a Visitor Visa. If you hold a Visitor Visa, you do not also request an NZeTA, although the IVL still applies in most cases.
How long does a New Zealand tourist visa take to process?
Immigration New Zealand decides about 80% of Visitor Visa applications within roughly two weeks. Apply three to four weeks ahead to be safe, as busy seasons can slow things down.
Can I extend my stay or switch to another visa?
You can apply for a further Visitor Visa or a different visa from within New Zealand, but total Visitor Visa time is capped (usually nine months in an 18-month period). A Visitor Visa does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
A quick note: visa fees, levies and rules change regularly. The figures here are current for 2026, but always confirm the latest details on the official Immigration New Zealand website before you pay or travel.