Short term business visas
If you will be visiting New Zealand short-term as a sales representatives from an overseas company, an overseas buyer, or if you will be an overseas visitor attending business consultations or negotiations, you can apply for a visitor visa. Please note that if an existing Visa Waiver Arrangement is in place with your country of citizenship, you may enter New Zealand visa-free if your stay in New Zealand is no longer than three months in any one year.
Currently, New Zealand has Visa Waiver Arrangements with the following APEC economies:
Australia, Brunei, Chile, The Peoples' Republic of China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Chinese Taipei. Vietnam will join in 2006.
Business persons from all countries except Australia wishing to stay more than three months in any one year will be required to apply for a work visa.
Documentation Required
For those eligible for visa-free entry:
- passport, return tickets and evidence of purpose of visit should be presented on arrival
Visitor's visa application for a stay of under three months:
- Completed visitor's visa application form
- Passport
- one passport-size photograph
- Evidence of return air tickets and of funds or sponsorship
Work visa application for a stay of three months or more:
- Completed work visa application form
- Passport
- 1 passport-size photograph
- Evidence of return tickets and of funds or sponsorship
- Letter of support from employer
Note: other documentation may be required by the visa officer.
How to apply
The applicant is not required to lodge the visa application personally. workpermit.com may also submit your applcation. A formal interview is not usually necessary, but may be required in some circumstances. Most visitor's visa applications are processed within seven days and most work visa applications within 21 days.
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.
Visa validity
The length of the visa/permit validity is determined by the circumstances of the visit. A visitor's visa may be granted for up to nine 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). A seven-day decision time is required. A new permit of the same type would have the same conditions as the original visa.
Bringing your family
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.