| Business Visa Requirements | Short-term visitors to New Zealand who are not considered to be undertaking employment do not require work visas. Visitors in this category include sales representatives from overseas companies, overseas buyers and overseas visitors attending business consultations or negotiations.
Visitors who fall into this category may enter New Zealand on visitor's visas or, if an existing Visa Waiver Arrangement is in place with the visitor's country of citizenship, visitors may enter New Zealand visa-free if their stay in New Zealand is no longer than 3 months in any 1 year. Currently, New Zealand has Visa Waiver Arrangements with the following APEC economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United States.
Business persons from all economies other than Australia wishing to stay more than 3 months in any 1 year will be required to apply for a work visa (see New Zealand: Temporary Business Resident).
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/visitors |
| APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) | APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders are generally holders of a business visitor visa. The ABTC provides fast tracked entry at New Zealand international airports. Aside from New Zealand, the other economies participating in the scheme are: Australia, Brunei, Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.
Holders are generally cleared for entry to New Zealand (no separate application for a business visitor visa, nor evidence of a visa, is required of such cardholders). Applications for the card are processed by the passport holder's home government. Eligibility criteria for the card vary between economies, and business people should contact their home government for details. For further information and contact details please go to www.businessmobility.org/key/abtc.html
For information and an application form for the APEC business travel card go to http://www.immigration.govt.nz/apec |
| Documentation Required | Visa-free entry for a stay of under 3 months:
- Passport
- Evidence of return air tickets
- Evidence of funds or sponsorship
- Evidence of purpose of visit
Visitor's visa application for a stay of 3 months or less:
- Completed visitor's visa application form
- Passport
- 2 passport-size photographs
- Evidence of return air tickets
- Evidence of funds or sponsorship
- Evidence of purpose of visit
Note: other documentation may be required by the visa officer.
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| Method of Lodgement | The work visa application should be submitted to a New Zealand diplomatic mission or New Zealand Immigration Service office in the applicant's place of residence. It may be lodged personally, by an agent, or by post.
A formal interview is not usually necessary but may be required in some circumstances. |
| Processing Time | Most visitor's visa applications are processed within 7 days and most work visa applications within 21 days. However, processing times may vary from branch to branch.
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| Multiple Entry Visas | Multiple entry visas are available but are not issued automatically. They are generally available to frequent visitors upon request provided the visit does not total more than 9 months in any 18-month period.
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| Validity/Extension | The length of the visa/permit validity is determined by the circumstances of the visit. A visitor's visa may be granted for a stay of up to a maximum of 9 months.
Visas (or entry permits issued on arrival at a port of entry) can be renewed once the business person is in New Zealand. A new application is required (including documentation as above). Processing times will depend on the type of application and the branch where it is submitted.
A new permit of the same type would have the same conditions as the original visa.
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| Cost of Visa Application | Fees change from time to time as a result of Government regulations and exchange rate fluctuations. Applicants should check with their nearest New Zealand High Commission, Embassy or New Zealand Immigration Service Branch, or on the NZIS website for the appropriate fee prior to lodging an application.
Similarly, banking arrangements differ from economy to economy. Applicants should check with the New Zealand High Commission, Embassy or NZIS Branch, or on the NZIS website prior to lodging the application.
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| Regulations relating to accompanying dependants | Where no visa is required, family members may accompany the business person.
Where a visa is required, spouses and dependent children under the age of 20 will have to apply for their own visa to come to New Zealand. |
