New Zealand is a beautiful country with stunning landscapes, friendly people, and a rich culture. It is no wonder that many people dream of visiting or even living in this amazing country. If you are planning to travel to New Zealand, whether for a short visit or a longer stay, you will need to apply for a visa. Here are some important things to know before applying for your New Zealand visa.
1. Determine the type of visa you need.
New Zealand offers a variety of visas, each with its own requirements. The type of visa you need will depend on your purpose for visiting or living in New Zealand. Some common types of visas include:
- Visitor visa: This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to nine months for tourism, business, or medical treatment.
- Work visa: This visa allows you to work in New Zealand. There are a number of different work visas available, depending on your skills and qualifications.
- Student visa: This visa allows you to study in New Zealand.
- Partner visa: This visa allows you to live in New Zealand if you are the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident.
2. Check your eligibility.
Find out if your skills are in demand:
The job market in New Zealand is experiencing consistent growth. While there are numerous employment options available in various industries, there is a specific demand for certain skills. If your skillset aligns with those in high demand, obtaining a visa will be much simpler. It is recommended to have your qualifications and abilities evaluated by reputable immigration consultants in Dubai who specialize in New Zealand to ensure everything is in order.
Go See for yourself Before you Decide:
There are many benefits to visiting New Zealand before you permanently relocate. Taking a holiday in the country before making your final move allows you to gain firsthand experience of life there and potentially connect with potential employers. This can help you determine if New Zealand is the right fit for you and your family. It may be necessary to obtain a visit visa in order to make this trip possible.
Get the Right Advice:
You are welcome to submit a visa application all by yourself or better still, you can get the help of immigration agents in Dubai if you feel you are not really sure about what is involved in the whole process. Actually, it is better to get help as most of the immigration agents are licensed and are well experienced in the processes of migrating.
Check Your Visa Options:
Obtaining a visa can be quite expensive and the process can be challenging. It is recommended to explore your options and determine which visa you are eligible for before beginning the application process. This is where immigration consultants, such as Permits and Visas in Dubai, can be extremely beneficial. These agents have extensive knowledge of the system and can assist you in navigating through any obstacles or complications that may arise during the application process. They can also help you avoid any potential pitfalls, making the entire process smoother and more efficient.
Ensure You Have the Right Paper Work:
It is very important that you make sure you have all the requirements of the visa category that you have chosen before you submit your application. If the proper documentation is not done, your application process will take longer than expected. It is, therefore, best for you to consult your immigration agent for advice if you have one and if not, we are here to help at Permits and Visas.
Permits and Visas Reviews have evaluated some of the most dedicated Immigration Consultancy in Dubai. Find an immigration service who are dedicated to excellence only. Those who take clients seriously and are inclined to make their dreams of migrating to their dream countries come true.
3. Gather your documents.
The application process will require you to provide a number of documents, such as your passport, birth certificate, and police certificate. You may also need to provide evidence of your financial situation and your health.
4. Apply online or on paper.
Sure, here is an explanation of the statement “You can apply for most New Zealand visas online. However, some visas can only be applied for on paper”:
The New Zealand Immigration Service (INZ) offers an online application system for most visa categories. This allows applicants to submit their applications electronically, upload supporting documents, and pay their visa fees online. The online application process is generally faster and more convenient than the paper-based application process.
However, there are a few visa categories that can only be applied for on paper. These categories typically involve more complex assessment requirements or require the submission of original documents that cannot be uploaded electronically. The paper-based application process is typically slower than the online application process, and applicants may need to attend an interview or provide additional documentation.
Here is a table summarizing which New Zealand visas can be applied for online and which can only be applied for on paper:
| Visa Category | Online Application | Paper-Based Application |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | Yes | No |
| Student Visa | Yes | No |
| Work Visa | Yes | Yes (for some categories) |
| Partner Visa | Yes | No |
| Dependent Child Visa | Yes | No |
| Straight to Residence Visa | Yes | No |
| Work to Residence Visa | Yes | No |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | Yes | No |
| Parent Category Resident Visa | No | Yes |
| Entrepreneur Resident Visa | No | Yes |
| Investor Resident Visa | No | Yes |
| Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | No | Yes |
| Residence from Work Visa | No | Yes |
| Residence from Partner Visa | No | Yes |
| Residence from Dependent Child Visa | No | Yes |
| Visitor Visa (Visiting Family or Friends) | No | Yes |
| Visa Waiver | No | Yes |
| Transit Visa | No | Yes |
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other visa categories that can only be applied for on paper. For more information, please visit the INZ website.
5. Pay the application fee.
Applying for a New Zealand visa requires a fee, and the amount depends on the type of visa you’re requesting. The fee covers the costs associated with processing your application, including assessing your eligibility and conducting background checks. The specific fee amount varies based on the complexity of the visa application process and the length of stay permitted under the visa. For instance, visitor visas typically have lower fees than work visas, which often involve more in-depth assessments. Additionally, visas with longer durations of stay tend to incur higher fees compared to those with shorter durations.
It’s important to pay the visa application fee in full before submitting your application. If you fail to pay the fee, your application will not be processed. You can pay the fee online through Immigration New Zealand’s website or at a designated visa application center.
Here’s a summary of the visa application fees for some common visa types:
- Visitor Visa: $211
- Student Visa: $285
- Work Visa: Varies depending on the visa subtype
- Residence Visa: Varies depending on the visa subtype
It’s advisable to check the current visa application fees on Immigration New Zealand’s website before submitting your application. The fees may be subject to change periodically.
6. Processing times for New Zealand visas
The processing time for a New Zealand visa can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your nationality, and the complexity of your application. However, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) provides indicative processing times for most visa types on their website.
Visitor visas
Visitor visas are typically processed within 20 working days, excluding public holidays. However, INZ advises that you allow at least 31 working days for your application to be processed, as this is the timeframe within which 90% of applications are processed.
Student visas
Student visas are typically processed within 20 working days, excluding public holidays. However, INZ advises that you allow at least 33 working days for your application to be processed, as this is the timeframe within which 90% of applications are processed.
Resident visas
Resident visas are typically processed within 4 to 15 months, depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the complexity of your application. For example, the processing time for a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa is typically 4 to 6 months, while the processing time for an Investor Category visa is typically 12 to 15 months.
Other visas
The processing times for other types of visas can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. You can find more information about processing times for other visas on the INZ website.
Factors that can affect processing times
The following factors can affect the processing time for your New Zealand visa application:
- The type of visa you are applying for
- Your nationality
- The complexity of your application
- The completeness of your application
- Whether you have submitted any additional information or documentation requested by INZ
How to check the processing time for your visa application
You can check the processing time for your visa application on the INZ website. Simply enter your visa application number and click on the “Check visa application status” button.
Tips for reducing the processing time for your visa application
The following tips can help to reduce the processing time for your New Zealand visa application:
- Make sure you apply for the correct visa type
- Complete your application form accurately and provide all of the required documentation
- Submit your application as early as possible
- Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or documentation from INZ
Here are some additional tips for applying for a New Zealand visa:
- Start the application process early. The visa application process can take several months, so it is important to start the process early, especially if you are planning to travel to New Zealand soon.
- Be prepared to provide all of the required documentation. Make sure that you have all of the required documentation before you start the application process. This will help to avoid delays in your application.
- Be accurate and complete in your application. Make sure that you answer all of the questions on the application form accurately and completely. Incomplete applications may be delayed or rejected.
- Keep your passport safe. Your passport is an important document, so make sure that you keep it safe throughout the application process.
If you are planning to visit or immigrate to New Zealand, we recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer. An immigration lawyer can help you to understand the visa application process and ensure that you are meeting all of the requirements.
