The types of New Zealand visa available cover every purpose — tourism, study, work, family reunification, investment, and permanent settlement. All visa categories are administered by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the government agency under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Understanding which visa category applies to your situation is the critical first step, because applying under the wrong category costs time and money and can affect future applications.
| Key Takeaways – New Zealand’s visa system is managed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and falls into four main groups: visitor, student, work, and residence. – Citizens of 60+ visa-waiver countries (including the US, UK, Canada, and most of the EU) can visit using a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) — no traditional visa required. – The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main route for skilled workers with a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer. – Residence pathways include the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Green List, and Straight to Residence options. The SMC is being reformed with two new pathways launching in August 2026. – The 2025 reforms were significant: the median wage threshold for AEWV was removed, student part-time work hours were raised to 25/week, five new visa categories were introduced, and the Entrepreneur Work Visa was replaced by the Business Investor Visa. – All applications are submitted online through the INZ portal. Processing times range from under 24 hours (NZeTA) to several months (residence visas). |
Types of New Zealand Visa: The Four Main Categories
New Zealand groups its visas into four broad purposes: visiting, studying, working, and living permanently. Within each group there are several specific visa types. The table below gives a snapshot; each section below covers the details.
| Category | Key Visa(s) | Max Stay | Work Allowed? | Pathway to Residence? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor | NZeTA / Visitor Visa / Parent Boost | Up to 9 months (visitors); 5 yrs (Parent Boost) | No (remote work for offshore employers allowed from Jan 2025) | No |
| Student | Fee-Paying Student Visa / Pathway Student Visa | Duration of course | Up to 25 hrs/week term-time; full-time in breaks | Via Post-Study Work Visa, then skilled pathway |
| Work | AEWV / Working Holiday / Seasonal (GWSV/PSV) | Up to 5 yrs (AEWV skill levels 1-3) | Yes | Yes – AEWV leads to SMC or Green List residence |
| Residence | Skilled Migrant Category / Green List / Straight to Residence | Indefinite | Yes – unrestricted | Yes – leads to Permanent Residence after 2 years |
| Family | Partner / Parent / Dependent Child visas | Varies by visa type | Depends on visa type | Partner/parent categories may lead to residence |
| Investor / Business | Active Investor Plus / Business Investor Visa | Indefinite (residence granted) | Yes | Yes – direct residence pathway |
Visitor Visas and the NZeTA
If you are travelling to New Zealand for tourism, to visit family, to attend a conference, or simply to explore, you will need either a Visitor Visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) — depending on where you hold citizenship.
NZeTA: For Citizens of Visa-Waiver Countries
Citizens of more than 60 countries — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most European Union nations — do not need a traditional visitor visa. Instead, they must obtain an NZeTA before travel. The NZeTA is applied for online or through the INZ mobile app. It is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for 2 years with multiple entries. Most approvals arrive within 24 hours, and many are instant.
The NZeTA costs NZD $17 through the app or NZD $23 through the website. Most applicants must also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100 per person. Australian citizens do not need an NZeTA or visitor visa — they may travel to New Zealand freely. Full details about entry requirements are covered in our dedicated New Zealand tourist visa guide.
Visitor Visa: For Citizens of Non-Waiver Countries
Citizens of countries not on the visa-waiver list must apply for a Visitor Visa before travel. This is a more detailed application requiring proof of funds, an itinerary, and evidence of ties to your home country. The standard Visitor Visa allows a stay of up to six months, with some applicants eligible for nine months. Applications are submitted online through the INZ portal. The base fee in 2026 for most applicants (Band C — Rest of World) is NZD $300, plus a $41 immigration levy and the $100 IVL.
A visitor visa does not permit paid employment in New Zealand. However, since January 2025, visitor visa and NZeTA holders may now work remotely for offshore employers while in New Zealand — a change that formally legitimised arrangements already common among digital nomads.
Parent Boost Visitor Visa
Introduced in September 2025, the Parent Boost Visitor Visa is a long-stay option designed for parents of New Zealand citizens and residents. It allows eligible parents to stay for up to five years, leave and re-enter as many times as needed, and then apply for a second five-year visa, enabling a total stay of up to ten years. Requirements include sponsorship from the New Zealand-based child, comprehensive health insurance, and financial support. After three years, the holder must leave temporarily for a compliance check.
New Zealand Student Visas
New Zealand is a well-regarded study destination, with universities consistently ranked among the world’s top 200. If you plan to study full-time for more than three months, you generally need a student visa. Our full New Zealand student visa guide covers requirements in detail.
Fee-Paying Student Visa
The Fee-Paying Student Visa is the standard option for international students enrolled at an accredited New Zealand institution paying their own tuition. It is valid for the duration of the course, up to a maximum of four years. Holders may work up to 25 hours per week during term time — an increase from 20 hours, effective from 2025 — and full-time during scheduled breaks. Partners of eligible students may also qualify for a work visa. The application fee is approximately NZD $375–$430, plus the IVL.
Pathway Student Visa
The Pathway Student Visa is designed for students enrolled in a sequence of programmes at one or more institutions. Rather than applying for a new visa for each course, the pathway visa covers the entire planned sequence, which can make it a more efficient choice for students combining an English language programme with a diploma or degree. Specific course and institution requirements apply.
Exchange and Scholarship Visas
Students arriving through formal university exchange agreements, or those funded by foreign or New Zealand government scholarships, apply under different student visa categories with their own documentation requirements. These are less commonly used pathways and generally administered through the sponsoring institution or government body.
Post-Study Work Visa
After completing a qualifying qualification in New Zealand, graduates may apply for a Post-Study Work Visa. This open work visa allows holders to work for any employer. The duration depends on the qualification level and New Zealand region where study took place, and generally ranges from one to three years. From November 2026, eligibility will extend to certain graduate diploma holders with a prior bachelor’s degree. The Post-Study Work Visa is often the bridge between the student pathway and skilled work residence.
New Zealand Work Visas
New Zealand offers several types of work visas. The right one depends on whether you have a job offer, your skill level, the type of work, your age, and your home country. Work visas are temporary, but many pathways lead directly to residence.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The AEWV is the primary work visa for skilled workers with a job offer from an employer that holds active INZ accreditation. It replaced the old Essential Skills Work Visa in 2022 and remains the main route for most skilled migrants. The visa can be granted for up to five years for workers in skill levels 1–3 under the National Occupation List (NOL), or three years for levels 4–5.
A major reform in March 2025 removed the median wage threshold that previously set a floor for AEWV applicants’ pay. Employers must now pay the market rate appropriate to the role, verified against the NOL. English language requirements apply at NOL skill levels 4–5 (from early 2025) and will extend to level 3 from June 2026. An employer must pass a job check before a worker applies. Application fees start from NZD $1,540.
Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa allows young people from partner countries — typically aged 18 to 30, or up to 35 for some nationalities — to work and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 months. It is among the fastest-processed visas, with most approvals in two days. The fee is NZD $770. The primary purpose must be a holiday; work is incidental, not the main reason for travel. New Zealand has reciprocal working holiday schemes with more than 40 countries, and was exploring an agreement with Iceland as of late 2025.
Seasonal Work Visas
Two new visa types launched in December 2025 under the AEWV framework specifically target seasonal industries such as horticulture and viticulture:
- Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV): For skilled seasonal roles. Valid for up to 3 years, with the holder required to spend at least 3 months outside New Zealand each year. Applicants need experience across at least 3 seasons in the past 6 years. No labour market test or English language requirement.
- Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV): For short peak periods, up to 7 months. Employers must demonstrate they advertised the role locally first. Applicants need at least one season of relevant experience in the past 3 years. Health insurance is required if the job runs over 3 months.
Specific Purpose and Other Work Visas
A range of more specialised work visas exist for circumstances that do not fit the standard AEWV pathway, including visas for religious workers, performing artists, sports professionals, and intra-company transferees. Partners of workers or students with certain visa types may also qualify for a work visa.
New Zealand Residence Visas
A New Zealand residence visa allows you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. After holding resident status for two consecutive years, you become eligible to apply for Permanent Residence in New Zealand, which removes any conditions and cannot be revoked.
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is the main points-based pathway to residence for skilled workers. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), and those who meet the threshold of 6 points receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for residence.
From August 2026, two new sub-pathways are being introduced under the SMC:
- Skilled Work Experience Pathway: For professionals with New Zealand work experience in a qualifying role, paid at or above the median wage (currently NZD $35 per hour).
- Trades and Technician Pathway: A new route recognising trade qualifications and skilled experience — targeting a broader group than the existing SMC, with wage thresholds set to reflect real-world earnings in trades roles.
Both pathways replace the current points-based EOI pool from August 2026 onward. The SMC requires applicants to be under 56, hold an offer of accredited employment, meet English language requirements, and satisfy health and character standards.
Green List Residence Pathways
The Green List is New Zealand’s register of occupations in critical shortage. It offers two faster residence routes that do not require points:
- Tier 1 — Straight to Residence: For occupations in acute shortage (such as specialist doctors, certain engineers, and secondary school teachers). If you hold a job offer at the listed wage, you can apply directly for residence without first holding a work visa.
- Tier 2 — Work to Residence: For a broader set of skilled occupations. After 24 months of skilled work in a Green List role at the specified wage rate, you become eligible for a residence visa.
Other Residence Pathways
- Partnership-Based Residence: For genuine partners of New Zealand citizens or residents. Requires evidence of a bona fide relationship.
- Parent Category Resident Visa: For parents of New Zealand citizens or residents. Processing can take 254–455 days — the longest of any residence category.
- Pacific Access / Samoan Quota: Annual ballot-based residence pathways for citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Samoa.
- Refugee and Protection Category: For those with refugee status or in need of international protection.
Investor and Business Visas
New Zealand has specific pathways for high-net-worth investors and experienced business people. These lead directly to residence. Our Active Investor Plus visa guide covers these in depth.
Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP)
Overhauled in April 2025, the Active Investor Plus Visa now has two investment categories:
- Growth Category: Minimum investment of NZD $5 million in qualifying New Zealand assets, held for three years.
- Balanced Category: Minimum investment of NZD $10 million over five years, with a broader range of accepted investment types.
Both categories grant residence directly. Approved investors receive a resident visa and may live, work, and settle in New Zealand.
Business Investor Visa (BIV)
Launched in November 2025, the Business Investor Visa replaced the former Entrepreneur Work Visa. It is aimed at experienced business migrants who want to purchase and actively manage an established New Zealand business valued at a minimum of NZD $1 million (excluding real estate). Successful applicants receive a work visa with a clear pathway to residence once the business meets performance benchmarks. The BIV provides a succession option for New Zealand business owners approaching retirement, and a practical route for experienced operators who prefer acquiring an existing business to starting from scratch.
New Zealand Visa Fees at a Glance (2026)
Fees are charged in New Zealand dollars (NZD). Most fees are non-refundable if the application is declined. The table below uses the December 2025 INZ Fees Guide; always confirm the exact fee applicable to your nationality and application method using the INZ fee calculator at immigration.govt.nz before applying.
| Visa | Base Application Fee (NZD) | International Visitor Levy (IVL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZeTA | $17-$23 | $100 | App or web; IVL applies to most nationalities |
| Visitor Visa (Band C – most countries) | $300 | $100 | Band B (Pacific nations): $175. Plus $41 immigration levy per application. |
| Student Visa (Fee-Paying) | ~$375-$430 | $100 | VAC service fee extra; varies by country |
| AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) | From $1,540 | N/A | Includes job check fee payable by employer |
| Working Holiday Visa | $770 | $100 | Age 18-30 (some countries: up to 35) |
| Skilled Migrant Category (Stage 1 EOI) | $590 (online) / $710 (paper) | N/A | Stage 2 (ITA): ~$4,890 additional |
| Active Investor Plus – Growth | ~$3,520 | N/A | Min. NZD $5m investment; confirm fee with INZ |
Visa Processing Times (2026)
Processing times are measured in working days and vary based on application volume, completeness of documentation, and whether health or character checks are required. The figures below are based on INZ’s published data as of September 2025.
| Visa Type | Average Processing | 80% Completed By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZeTA | Under 24 hours | 24 hours | Often instant |
| Visitor Visa | ~1 week | ~2 weeks | Business visitor: 3 days avg |
| AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) | ~2 weeks | ~5 weeks | Excludes job check stage |
| Working Holiday Visa | ~2 days | ~2 weeks | Fast-tracked category |
| Student Visa (university) | ~2.5 weeks | ~4.5 weeks | Private institutions: up to 6 weeks |
| Skilled Migrant Category (residence) | ~40-124 days | ~4 months | After Invitation to Apply |
| Straight to Residence (Green List Tier 1) | ~35-129 days | Varies | Faster than SMC for eligible occupations |
| Parent Resident Visa | 254-455 days | Varies | Longest processing category |
How to Choose the Right Type of New Zealand Visa
The type of New Zealand visa you need is determined primarily by your purpose of travel, your nationality, your qualifications, and whether you intend to work or study. A few practical rules:
- If you are visiting from a visa-waiver country: apply for an NZeTA online before departure.
- If you are visiting from a non-waiver country: apply for a Visitor Visa through the INZ portal at least three to four weeks before travel.
- If you are studying for more than three months: you need a student visa.
- If you have a job offer from an accredited employer: apply for an AEWV once your employer completes the job check.
- If you are between 18 and 30 (or 35 for some nationalities) and want to work and travel: check if your country has a Working Holiday agreement with New Zealand.
- If you want to live in New Zealand permanently: identify whether the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, or a family-based pathway best fits your occupation, qualifications, and circumstances.
New Zealand does not allow visa applications to be submitted on paper at the border. All applications are made online through the INZ portal, and most visa types require you to apply before departing your home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of more than 60 countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations — do not need a traditional visitor visa. Instead, they apply for an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travel. Citizens of countries not on the visa-waiver list must apply for a Visitor Visa. You can check whether your country is on the visa-waiver list on the INZ website.
What is the most common work visa for New Zealand?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the standard work visa for skilled workers with a job offer. Before you apply, your employer must hold active INZ accreditation and complete a job check to confirm the role meets the required criteria. The AEWV replaced the old Essential Skills Work Visa in 2022 and is now the foundation of New Zealand’s employer-sponsored work visa system.
Can I work on a New Zealand student visa?
Yes, in most cases. Students enrolled at qualifying institutions can work up to 25 hours per week during term time (increased from 20 hours in 2025) and full-time during scheduled breaks. The right to work is conditional on the type of institution you are enrolled at and your course provider’s EER (External Evaluation and Review) rating under the 2026 quality assurance framework.
What is the difference between a resident visa and a permanent resident visa in New Zealand?
A resident visa allows you to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, but it may come with conditions — such as a requirement to travel to New Zealand within 12 months to activate it. A Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) has no conditions and cannot be revoked. You become eligible to apply for the PRV after holding resident status for two consecutive years. From there, you can also apply for New Zealand citizenship after five years.
What is the Green List, and how does it help me get residence?
The Green List is INZ’s register of occupations facing critical shortages in New Zealand. If your occupation is on the list, you may qualify for either Straight to Residence (Tier 1 — direct residence if you have a qualifying job offer) or Work to Residence (Tier 2 — residence after 24 months of work in a Green List role at the specified wage). The Green List bypasses the points-based Skilled Migrant Category process and is generally faster for eligible occupations.
What happened to the New Zealand Entrepreneur Visa?
The Entrepreneur Work Visa was closed in August 2025 and replaced by the Business Investor Visa (BIV), which launched in November 2025. The BIV targets experienced business migrants who want to purchase an established New Zealand business worth at least NZD $1 million (excluding real estate). Unlike the old Entrepreneur visa, the BIV focuses on acquiring and running an existing business rather than starting from scratch, which Immigration New Zealand said would reduce the risk of misuse.
How long does it take to get a New Zealand residence visa?
Processing times for residence visas vary considerably. The Skilled Migrant Category typically takes 40–124 working days after an Invitation to Apply is issued. Green List Straight to Residence applications take around 35–129 working days. The Parent Category Resident Visa is the longest, with published processing windows of 254–455 working days. Providing a complete application with all required documents significantly reduces delays.
Sources: Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz); INZ Fees Guide (December 2025); INZ visa processing times (September 2025); INZ announcements January 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute immigration advice. Visa fees, eligibility criteria, and processing times are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with Immigration New Zealand before applying.