Transit VisaVerified 2026-04-19New Zealand Transit Visa
The NZ Transit Visa lets Indian passport holders pass through Auckland airport for up to 24 hours en route to a third country. Usually free or nominal fee. Required because India is not on the visa-waiver transit list. Apply online at apply.immigration.govt.nz.
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 24 hours
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.
- 10If your stay exceeds 24 hours or you plan to leave the airport — apply for a full Visitor Visa instead.
Who Can Apply
- Indian travellers transiting via Auckland airport to a third country
- Applicants with confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours
- Applicants with valid onward-country entry documents
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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 |
Often free; small admin fee in some cases. Verify current fee at immigration.govt.nz.
Documents Required
Core
- !Valid passport
- !Confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours
- !Valid visa/entry document for onward destination
- !Passport photo
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Apply online at apply.immigration.govt.nz
Select Transit Visa category.
Upload onward ticket + destination entry document
Critical evidence.
Biometrics at VFS Global (if requested)
Some transit applications are decided without biometrics.
Decision + digital eVisa
Usually quick.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Transit Visa if I have a regular Visitor Visa?+
Can I leave the airport during transit?+
Let us prepare your New Zealand Transit Visa application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other New Zealand Visa Types
New Zealand Visitor Visa (Tourism / Family Visit)
The main tourism and family-visit visa for Indian citizens. Up to 6 months multi-entry or 9 months single-entry. NZD 441. 80% decided in 2 weeks.
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 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.