Visitor Visa
The Visitor Visa is the standard visa for holidays, visiting family and short study. Immigration New Zealand describes it this way: “People travelling on a passport from some countries must apply for a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand. You can stay for up to either 6 months or 9 months. You cannot work, but you can study for up to 3 months.” It costs from NZD $441. INZ publishes a processing time of 80% within 2 weeks.
Checked against immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15
What Immigration New Zealand publishes
- Length of stay
- Up to either
- 6 months or 9 months
- Cost
- From
- NZD $441
- Processing time
- 80% within
- 2 weeks
Copied from the Visitor Visa page at immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15. Figures change without notice.
To apply you must
- have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay
- have enough money to pay your living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor
- not plan to work in New Zealand, unless you work remotely for a business overseas
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
This visa lets you
- holiday in New Zealand
- visit family and friends in New Zealand
- study for up to 3 months
- include your partner and dependent children in your visa application.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
Where to apply
You apply to Immigration New Zealand, not to us. The Visitor Visa page carries the application link, the full requirements and the current fee.
Questions about the Visitor Visa
What does the Visitor Visa cost?
Immigration New Zealand publishes a cost of NZD $441 for this visa, as the "from" figure — the lowest published amount. Medicals, police certificates, translations and any adviser's fee are separate. Checked on 2026-09-15; confirm on the INZ page.
How long does the Visitor Visa take?
Immigration New Zealand publishes 80% within 2 weeks for this visa. That is a published average, not a promise about any one application. Checked on 2026-09-15; the current figure is on the INZ page.
Who can apply for the Visitor Visa?
INZ's own summary is: "People travelling on a passport from some countries must apply for a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand. You can stay for up to either 6 months or 9 months. You cannot work, but you can study for up to 3 months." The published criteria are listed above, word for word. Whether any particular person meets them is a question for Immigration New Zealand, or for a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand lawyer — not for this site.
Where do I apply?
On Immigration New Zealand's own website. Start at Visitor Visa. Applying through this site is not possible: we are an information site and we cannot lodge or handle an application.
Can NZ Visas tell me whether I qualify?
No, and we would be breaking the law if we did. Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, telling somebody how the rules apply to their own immigration matter is licensed work. We republish the published rules and stop there. More on where that line sits.
Sources
Read on 2026-09-15. Immigration rules change: if this page and the source disagree, the source is right.
Once you have a decision
Getting the visa is one job; landing here is another. Our settling-in guides cover the IRD number, a bank account, a rental, schools, a doctor and a driver licence — all free, and all separate from anything to do with your visa.