Are you planning your trip to New Zealand? Do you want to go on vacation to explore kiwi lands or are you going to visit a friend? If you want to go to New Zealand for sightseeing or visiting a friend, you will need a tourist visa.
Depending on the purpose of your trip and your nationality, there are two types of tourist visa that you can apply for: the Visitor Visa and the Waiver Visitor Visa .
Visitor Visa
This visa allows you to enter New Zealand in order to sightsee or visit a family member or friend for a maximum period of 9 months .
Requirements and Conditions :
- You must apply for the visa before entering New Zealand
- You can study for up to three months.
- You have the possibility to include your partner or a child under the age of 19.
- It costs about $ 211 NZ.
- You can find more information about the Visitor Visa at this link from the New Zealand government.
Waiver Visitor Visa
It allows the same as the Visitor Visa but is limited to 3 months of stay and can only be requested by people from certain countries. It has no cost, it is free.
Only citizens of Uruguay, Chile, Argentina , Mexico, Spain and Brazil can apply for this type of visa . The rest of the Latin American countries, such as Peru, Colombia or Ecuador must apply for the Visitor Visa.
Requirements:
- Demonstrate an economic solvency to cover the expenses you have during your stay in the country.
- Show a return ticket already purchased from a country that admits you.
Find more details about the Waiver Visitor Visa at this link .
Although the Visitor Visa and Waiver Visitor Visa are very similar, they have some important differences. The Visitor Visa must be ordered in advance , it is valid for all countries and has hardly any requirements.
In addition, it is for longer periods and has a cost. However, the Waiver Visitor Visa is limited to certain countries and is more restrictive in requirements, but it is not necessary to request it in advance. It is also free.
Changes from October 1, 2019
Until now, many people who wanted to visit the country could do so through a Waiver Visitor Visa, without much paperwork involved, but starting next October, the conditions and procedures to obtain the Waiver Visitor Visa will change. You will have to complete the process online and make a payment for the application .
The new system is called NZeta . According to the New Zealand government, it will serve to streamline procedures and reduce the time passengers spend in customs at the airport . In addition, it is intended to strengthen the security of Kiwi airports .
In addition to requesting and paying for the NZeTA , some of the travelers will also have to pay a fee that will be the way in which the travelers contribute to the maintenance costs of the tourist infrastructures and to the protection of the environment that they will enjoy during their trip. We are talking about the IVL rate (Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy).
Who has to apply for this visa?
Any traveler who can take a Waiver Visitor Visa to travel to the country or even make only stops. The permanent residents of Australia will also have to do this procedure. In addition, this new visa will also be required of cruise passengers traveling with a Waiver Visitor Visa .
What do I have to do to request it and where do I do it?
As of July 2019, the system that manages this permit will be available and you can start with the procedures to receive your NZeTA. Of course, they will begin to demand it for the trips you make from October 1.
If you want you can register at this link and they will send you an email to notify you that the system is available.
To make your request you have two options :
- Download the APP on your smartphone and manage your request from your mobile .
- Fill out the form from the New Zealand immigration website .
How long in advance do I have to apply for the NZeTA and pay the IVL rate?
You must request your NZeTA with enough time in advance. It can take up to 72 hours to confirm the approval of your NZeTA . We recommend that you make the request a few days before the trip, since, if you do not have your visa approved , they will not allow you to board.
If you are traveling to New Zealand before October 1, you will not have to apply for this visa.
How much does it cost to apply for NZeTA to travel to New Zealand?
The price of the NZeTA is NZD $ 9 for applications from the mobile application and NZD $ 12 for applications received through the form on the New Zealand immigration website .
The IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) will also have to be paid. The IVL fee costs NZ $ 35 per person traveling to New Zealand and is charged at the same time you apply for the NZeTA.
How long does this visa serve me?
The validity period of both the NZeTA and the IVL is 2 years and they are valid for multiple visits to the country.
If after reading all this information you still have any questions to resolve, do not hesitate to send us a little message, we will be happy to help you in any way we can.
Leave a Reply