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Visitor Visa New Zealand

Visitor visa for holidays and family visits.

General Visitor Visa

For Holiday, visiting friends and relatives, or attending short courses.

TOURIST VISA FOR NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand Visitor Visa is the standard visa for tourist stays or family visits. It enables you to travel the country as a tourist or visit family and friends, without working while you are there.

Here you’ll find information on who requires this visa, how long you may stay, and which other types of Visitor Visas exist.

A Visitor Visa allows a temporary stay in New Zealand for tourism, holidays or visiting relatives. It does not permit work (exception: Remote Work – see below). Short language courses or training of up to three months are allowed.

A Visitor Visa applied for in advance is required if:

You are not a citizen of a Visa Waiver Country, or
You wish to stay in New Zealand for longer than 3 months.

Travellers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland must also apply for a Visitor Visa if, for example, they wish to visit family for more than three months or plan an extended round trip.

Travellers from visa-waiver countries (including Germany, Austria and Switzerland) only need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) for short stays of up to 3 months. The NZeTA is applied for online, and entry permission is granted on arrival in New Zealand.

WHAT A VISITOR VISA ALLOWS

A New Zealand Visitor Visa comes with specific conditions.

With a Visitor Visa, you may work remotely in New Zealand under certain conditions:

You may work for an employer or client outside New Zealand.
The work must be conducted exclusively online and must not support the New Zealand labour market.
Your income must not come from New Zealand sources.

If you provide any services to New Zealand businesses or clients, this is considered work in New Zealand – and requires a work visa.

In short: Remote work is permitted as long as it is exclusively international and does not constitute local employment.

Important: Depending on your stay and personal circumstances, you may become tax resident in New Zealand.

With a Visitor Visa, you may study or attend a course in New Zealand for up to three months – for example a language course, workshop or short training programme.

For longer study periods, a Student Visa is required.

A New Zealand Visitor Visa can be issued as a Multiple Entry visa or a Single Entry visa.

Single-entry Visas can be granted for up to 9 months.
Multiple Entry Visas can be granted for up to 6 months.

If you require more than three months, this must be well justified.

SPECIAL VISITOR VISAS

In addition to the General Visitor Visa, several other specialised Visitor Visa categories exist, including:

Visitor Visa for business and professional visits

For individuals travelling to New Zealand for professional purposes – such as meetings, conferences, performances, or short-term engagements in sport, culture or science.

However, this is not suitable in all cases. A Visitor Visa is not suitable for all types of professional activity. Seek advice beforehand to determine whether a Visitor Visa is sufficient or whether a work visa is required.

Visitor Visa for family members

For family members who wish to visit or accompany partners, children or parents in New Zealand – including specific special provisions for spouses and carers.