Visitor — Tourism / FamilyVerified 2026-04-19New Zealand Visitor Visa (Tourism / Family Visit)
The NZ Visitor Visa is the primary visa for Indian passport holders travelling to New Zealand for tourism, visiting family/friends, or short courses up to 3 months. India is NOT on the NZeTA visa-waiver list — every Indian traveller must apply for a full Visitor Visa before travel. Apply online at apply.immigration.govt.nz. NZD 441. Can include partner + dependent children under 19.
Processing
Varies by visa category — Visitor 80% in 2 weeks; Business Visitor 1 week; Student 8 weeks; Post Study Work 4 weeks; AEWV 6 weeks; SMC/Green List 6-12 months
Stay Duration
Up to 6 months (multi-entry) or 9 months (single-entry)
Starting Fee
NZD 441
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL New Zealand visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1INDIA IS NOT ON THE NZ VISA WAIVER / NZeTA LIST — every Indian traveller, even for a weekend holiday, must apply for a full visa before travel.
- 2Passport must be valid at least 3 MONTHS beyond your intended departure from New Zealand. Airlines may deny boarding otherwise.
- 3Apply online at apply.immigration.govt.nz — create a RealMe or Immigration Online account. Paper applications are no longer accepted for most categories.
- 4Medical requirements scale with stay length: under 6 months = usually no X-ray; 6-12 months = TB chest X-ray mandatory (India is a high-TB-incidence country); over 12 months = full medical certificate. X-rays must be by INZ Panel Physicians ONLY — other clinics' reports are rejected.
- 5Police Clearance Certificate (from PSK) is required if you're 17+ AND your total NZ stay will be 24 months or longer. PCC must be less than 6 months old at submission.
- 6Visitor funds requirement: NZD 1,000 per month of stay (NZD 400 per month if accommodation is pre-paid).
- 7Strong ties to India (employment, property, family, ongoing business) are critical for temporary visa approval — INZ checks 'genuine intentions' to return.
- 8INDIA HAS NO WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEME with NZ — young Indians cannot take the 'work and travel' route that UK/Germany/Japan citizens enjoy. Work visas require full AEWV + accredited employer.
- 9Job offer scams from India are a known issue — INZ EXPLICITLY states it will DECLINE your visa if you've paid any money to an NZ employer for a job offer. Verify accreditation on INZ website.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens visiting NZ for tourism, holiday, sightseeing
- Indian citizens visiting family/friends resident in NZ
- Short-course students (courses up to 3 months)
- Travellers with confirmed funds, accommodation, and genuine return intent
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone intending to work in NZ — need AEWV / work visa
- Anyone intending to study beyond 3 months — need Student Visa
- Anyone intending to stay long-term through frequent re-entries
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visitor Visa (tourism / family visit) | NZD 441 |
| Business Visitor Visa | NZD 341 |
| Medical Treatment Visitor Visa | NZD 441 |
| Transit Visa | Free or ~NZD 210 |
| Biometrics / VFS service fee | ₹1,500–2,500 |
All NZ visa fees are set in NZD by Immigration New Zealand and paid online at apply.immigration.govt.nz. The INR amount depends on NZD/INR exchange rate on payment day. Additional costs: medical/TB X-ray at INZ Panel Physician (₹6,000-12,000), Police Clearance Certificate (free from PSK but courier/apostille extra), NZQA International Qualifications Assessment (NZD 746 if below-bachelor), translation, biometrics, and Immigration Levy (separate from base fee). Non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Documents Required
Core Documents
- !Valid passport
Valid at least 3 months beyond departure from NZ.
- !Passport-style photograph
35×45 mm, white background, recent.
- !Cover letter
Purpose of visit, cities, duration, intent to return to India.
- ○TB chest X-ray
MANDATORY if stay exceeds 6 months. By INZ Panel Physician only.
Travel & Stay
- !Day-wise travel itinerary
- !Hotel bookings / host invitation letter
If visiting family, include NZ host's passport/residence proof and relationship document.
- !Return flight reservation
Booking only — do NOT purchase until visa approved.
Proof of Funds
- !Bank statements (last 6 months)
Must show NZD 1,000/month × stay (or NZD 400/month if accommodation pre-paid).
- !Income Tax Returns (2-3 years)
- ○FDs / investment proof
Strengthens financial profile.
Ties to India (critical)
- !Employment letter + recent salary slips + approved leave
- ○Self-employed: GST certificate, company registration, ITRs
- ○Property papers
Title deeds show roots in India.
- ○Family commitments documentation
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Create RealMe / Immigration Online account
At realme.govt.nz or apply.immigration.govt.nz — gateway for all NZ visa applications.
Complete online Visitor Visa application
Fill form, upload passport bio page, photo, cover letter, and supporting documents.
Pay NZD 441 online
International credit/debit card. Immigration Levy applies separately.
Submit biometrics at VFS Global NZ India
Book appointment at nearest VFS centre after online submission. Fingerprints + facial photo.
Wait for decision (~2 weeks for 80% of applications)
You receive an email with the outcome. NZ issues digital eVisas — no sticker.
Verify eVisa + travel
Use the Visa Verification Service online to confirm your eVisa is active.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Immigration NZ Online Application Portal
Create a RealMe account or Immigration Online account. All NZ visas for Indian applicants are lodged here online.
Immigration New Zealand — Official Visa Information
Authoritative source for all NZ visa categories, fee updates, and occupation/wage thresholds (which change frequently).
VFS Global NZ — Biometrics & Document Submission (India)
Where Indian applicants submit biometrics, book appointments, and track passport delivery.
INZ Panel Physicians — Medical Examination (India)
Only INZ Panel Physicians' medical reports are accepted — e-medical system. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and others.
NZQA International Qualifications Assessment
Required for below-bachelor foreign qualifications applying for work/residence visas. NZD 746 fee.
Green List Occupations (current)
Check if your occupation is Tier 1 (straight to residence) or Tier 2 (work to residence). Updated frequently — verify before applying.
Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Register
Check if your advisor is IAA-licensed BEFORE paying for immigration advice. Critical for avoiding scams.
VFS Application Centres
Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions to see your likelihood of approval. Embassies look for the same core factors across visa types — financial strength, clear purpose, genuine intent to return.
How clear is your purpose of visit?
How long is your planned stay?
Travel history to developed countries?
Any previous visa refusals?
Employment / income source?
3-month average bank balance?
Income Tax Returns history?
Travel bookings status?
Ties to India (reasons you'll return)?
Travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Create your RealMe account at realme.govt.nz first — it's the gateway for all NZ immigration services.
- For temporary visas (Visitor, Student, Work), build a strong 'ties to India' narrative: employment letter with leave approval, property, bank balance consistent with ITR, family commitments, cover letter.
- Medical/TB X-ray: book with an INZ Panel Physician (eMedical system) — results are uploaded electronically by the clinic directly to INZ, no paper form. Typical cost: ₹6,000–12,000.
- Use Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) for student visas — India is one of the eligible countries. Strengthens the 'genuine student' financial narrative.
- For AEWV / residence: CV alone is NOT sufficient — INZ requires employment certificates on company letterhead + payslips + Form 16/ITR covering the full experience claim.
- Use only IAA-licensed immigration advisers if paying for advice. Verify licence at iaa.govt.nz — unlicensed paid advice is a legal offence in NZ.
- NZ issues digital eVisas linked to your passport — no sticker. Check your visa grant via Visa Verification Service online.
- Apply 4–8 weeks before travel for Visitor visas; 3–4 months before course start for Student visas.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Weak ties to India — INZ cannot see why you would return
- 2.Insufficient funds for declared duration
- 3.Inconsistent employment evidence (reference letter without ITR, etc.)
- 4.Unclear or inflated travel itinerary
- 5.Previous visa refusals from any country not disclosed
- 6.Suspected job-hunt intent under Visitor cover
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indians need a visa for NZ?+
How long can I stay?+
Can I study on a Visitor Visa?+
Can I work on a Visitor Visa?+
Can I extend my Visitor Visa inside NZ?+
Do I get an NZeTA?+
Let us prepare your New Zealand Visitor Visa — (Tourism / Family Visit) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other New Zealand Visa Types
New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
For Indian professionals visiting NZ for business meetings, negotiations, conferences, or consultations. NZD 341. Up to 3 months in any 12-month period. Cannot take up NZ employment.
New Zealand Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
For Indian patients travelling to NZ for private medical treatment or consultation. NZD 441. Requires NZ hospital/specialist letter + funds for treatment + stay.
New Zealand Transit Visa
For Indian travellers passing through Auckland airport en route to a third country for up to 24 hours. Free or nominal fee.
New Zealand Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
For Indian citizens coming to NZ to marry their NZ citizen/resident fiancé(e) in an arranged marriage — within 3 months of arrival. Pathway to Partnership Resident Visa.
New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa
Main study visa for Indian students pursuing full-time courses at approved NZ education providers. NZD 850. Up to 4 years per visa. Work rights up to 25 hrs/week during term. Gateway to PR.
New Zealand Pathway Student Visa
A single visa covering up to 3 consecutive study programmes (e.g. English → Foundation → Bachelor's). Valid up to 5 years. NZD 850. Saves money vs 3 separate student visas.
New Zealand Post Study Work Visa — Informational
Critical bridge visa after completing qualifying NZ course. Up to 3 years open work rights. NZD 1,670. Only one PSWV per lifetime. Gateway to AEWV and PR.
New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — Informational
The main NZ work visa — requires job offer from accredited employer meeting pay/hours thresholds. NZD 1,540. Up to 5 years. Leads to PR via SMC or Green List.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global New Zealand website and Embassy of New Zealand. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.