nz tourist visa update

Nearly 35,000 tourists waiting weeks for visitor visas to enter New Zealand

Watch: Nearly 35,000 tourists waiting weeks for visitor visas to enter New Zealand. Credits: Video - Newshub; Image - Getty Images

New Zealand's open for business - that's been Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's unofficial tagline while she's been out selling the country as a tourist destination.

But Newshub can reveal tens of thousands of people are stuck in the queue waiting for visitor visas.

New Zealand allows tourists from certain countries like the United Kingdom and the United States to travel here without a visa. Almost 300,000 tourists from countries have been granted entry since the borders opened to them in May. But since August 1 - the grand reopening of New Zealand's borders to everyone else - 61,534 have applied for visas. Of these, only 26,332 have been approved and 515 declined.

More from Newshub

It means 34,687 tourists are waiting weeks in the queue, and among them is Marianela Pereira. She and fiancé Chris Wilson were set to get married in Queenstown, but 60 days later, the wedding's cancelled because they're still waiting for Pereira's tourist visa - she needs one as she's from Costa Rica.

"What was going to be the time of our dreams became the time of our nightmares and a lot of money spent," Pereira said.

"New Zealand is still a beautiful country and the people are great but getting there is almost impossible," Wilson added.

Minister of Immigration Michael Wood said those at Immigration NZ have had a big job to do.

"As I say, in the early days they took a bit more time than they ideally would have but they're now making real progress."

The National Party was critical of the visa wait times.

"We've got the Prime Minister out there saying we're open for business, but in reality, the front door's locked," said the party's immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford.

And what's really grinding National's gears is the salaries. Since 2017, the number of Immigration NZ staff earning more than $100,000 has almost tripled from 137 to 367, and the number earning more than $200,000 has more than doubled from 11 to 23.

"Under three pretty hapless immigration ministers, we've now got an immigration department that is spending more money, hiring more staff, processing fewer visas," Stanford said.

But Wood said he's happy with Immigration NZ's performance.

"I think over the past two years, they've had an enormously mammoth task."

While New Zealand's borders were slammed shut, the Government decided to use the opportunity to completely reset the country's immigration settings with new visas, systems and targets. So the Government should have anticipated a total reboot would have come with some loading errors.

This website may not work correctly because your browser is out of date. Please update your browser .

Apply online for your visa

Whether you’re coming to New Zealand to visit, study, work or live, you’ll know there are a few things you need to get sorted.

The good news is that you can apply for your visa online, and it’s now easier than ever before. In fact, it’s faster and cheaper than a paper application, leaving you more time to plan the fun stuff.

No matter if you’re coming from Shanghai or Suva – you can apply for your visa online from anywhere, at any time. And if you’re already in New Zealand and want to stay longer, you can apply for that too.

To get started, visit the immigration website to find out if you need a visa, and the requirements you’ll need to meet.

To apply, you’ll need to upload your documents, a passport-style photo, and pay with a credit or debit card.

We can’t start processing your visa unless everything’s there, so double check you’ve included all the required documents before you press submit.

You can even start your application, save it, and finish it later.

Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll let you know if you need to send us your passport, or if we can issue an e-visa. Simple!

So jump online, get started and we’ll see you soon. 

Most work, student and visitor visas can be applied for online. Applying online is often faster and less expensive than sending in a paper application form. When you apply online we can also issue your visa electronically so you won't have to send us your passport.

If you apply online, you'll need to have a credit card ready, and any supporting evidence, like a copy of your passport, will need to be available in an electronic file.

To apply online, visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

Back to top

Interested in coming to New Zealand?

Sign up to receive relevant job opportunities from New Zealand employers and practical advice on how to make your move to New Zealand a reality.

Help us improve the Live and Work NZ site

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

New Zealand Visa for Tourists in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Updated: February 28, 2024

New Zealand’s visa policy for tourists is incredibly simple as there are only two ways to enter.

Many travelers are visa-exempt in which case they need to get an NZeTA online. Everybody else needs to apply for a Visitor Visa.

This article summarizes all the important information about the New Zealand visa for tourists and the relevant details. 

Table of Contents

Visa policy and visa types.

Australians are visa-exempt to travel, live, and work in New Zealand for an indefinite period under the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement. 

Citizens of 60 countries and territories are on New Zealand’s visa waiver list. However, all of them must apply for the NZeTA before traveling.

All other nationalities must obtain a Visitor Visa.

Everyone except for Australians and people from the Pacific Island countries must pay an International Visitor Levy fee included in the NZeTA or Visa cost.

Visa Requirements

Passport validity required

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure date from New Zealand.

Entry requirements

The common entry requirements for all incoming tourists to New Zealand are:

• Be of good health (don’t intend to seek medical treatment)
• Be of good character (not have a criminal record and not having been deported from any country)
• Have a return or onward ticket

Onward ticket

You must have proof of return or onward ticket when traveling to New Zealand. These tickets must be paid and confirmed. If the country after New Zealand requires an onward ticket, then you must have proof of an onward ticket from that country as well. 

NZeTA (Visa Waiver)

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) was introduced on 1 October 2019. Ever since the Visa Waiver and the NZeTA have become identical. 

Eligibility

If you’re from one of these 60 visa-exempt countries, you must obtain an NZeTA before traveling to New Zealand.

3 months stay

• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America
• Vatican City

6 months stay

• United Kingdom

Application, Cost, and Processing Time

You can apply for NZeTA online through the New Zealand Immigration website or using the free NZeTA app. You can download the NZeTA app from Google Play or the App Store . 

The application costs 23 NZD through the website or 17 NZD through the app.

Most NZeTA applications are processed within 3 days. Outside of the high summer season, applications are processed almost immediately.

Validity and Allowed Stay

The NZeTA is valid for 2 years after it’s granted. It allows stays of up to 90 days except for UK nationals who can stay up to 6 months.

There is no limit to the times you can enter New Zealand. However, you cannot stay longer than 6 months in any rolling 12-month period (even for UK passports).

For more information, read the complete guide to New Zealand NZeTA for details on eligibility, required documents, the NZeTA mobile app and the application process.

Visitor Visa

The Visitor Visa is for everyone traveling to New Zealand for tourist purposes who isn’t visa-exempt. If you obtain a Visitor visa, you don’t have to apply for NZeTA.

Single-entry

The single-entry visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and once you enter you can stay in New Zealand for up to 9 months.

It is extendable by up to 3 months to a total of 12 months.

Multiple-entry

The multiple-entry visa ’s validity is:

• Not longer than the passport’s validity
• 5 years for nationals of China
• 4 years for nationals of the US
• 3 years for all other nationalities

Once you enter, you can stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months but no longer than 6 months in any 12-month period.

Requirements

On top of the general visa requirements outlined above, when applying for the Visitor Visa, you must meet the following requirements;

• You are in good health (medical exam is required if staying longer than 6 months)
• You have a good character (must not have any criminal convictions)
• You must have a genuine intention to visit as a tourist (must have strong ties with your home country and a decent travel history).
• You must have sufficient funds (1000 NZD per month minimum)

Application and Processing Time

Visitor visas can be applied online on the New Zealand Immigration website . Most applications (80%) are processed within 5 weeks of application.

Documentation

• One digital passport photo for online applications
• A copy of the passport’s photo page
• All previous and current visas and entry and exit stamps from your passport
• Previous visa refusals for any country (if you have any)
• Current visa or residence permit (if applying from a country other than your home country)
• Flight reservations, hotel bookings and attraction tickets
• Employment letter and leave approval letters
• Bank statements with at least 1000 NZD balance per month of stay in New Zealand
• Evidence of family members in your home country
• Evidence of assets in your home country such as properties, business, etc.

The price of the Visitor Visa depends on your nationality. It is between 171 and 246 NZD. The International Visitor Levy is included in this price except for exempt Pacific Island nations (see below).

For more information, read the complete guide on New Zealand Visitor Visa for eligibility, requirements, documentation and application process.

Benefits of a New Zealand visa

New Zealand visa also works as a substitute visa for traveling to other countries. As of 2024, you can travel to 12 countries with a New Zealand visa. Read this article on  VISA-FREE countries for New Zealand visa  to learn how to visit these 12 countries.

Transit Visa

Transit without leaving the airport is only available at Auckland International for up to 24 hours. You would either need an NZeTA or a Transit visa. 

Transits longer than 24 hours are not allowed at Auckland airport. If your transit is longer than 24 hours, you will clear immigration. You would need a Visitor Visa or NZeTA( if from a visa-waiver country) in that case.

NOTE Airports in New Zealand, except Auckland International Airport, do not have transit zones. That means, transiting at airports in New Zealand other than Auckland International Airport requires clearing immigration. You would need a Visitor Visa or NZeTA (if from a visa-waiver country).

Transit with NZeTA

The following nationalities require an NZeTA to transit at Auckland International Airport.

• Must remain in the transit zone unless you’re from a visa-waiver country
• Must remain in the transit zone
• Can also enter NZ

Transit visa waiver countries 

• Marshall Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Solomon Islands

A transit visa does not allow entry to the country, it’s strictly meant for transiting at Auckland International Airport. The transit period must be less than 24 hours.

Application and cost

Nationalities that require a transit visa can apply online on the New Zealand Immigration portal . A transit visa costs 180 NZD.

Below is the summary of transit visa requirements for New Zealand.

For more information, read the complete guide on New Zealand Transit Visa for requirements, application process and transit procedure at the airport.

International Visitor Levy

Visitors to New Zealand must pay a fee for conservation and the maintenance of tourism infrastructure. This fee is called the International Visitor Levy (IVL). It is 35 NZD per person.

The IVL is included in the price of the Visitor Visa or added to the cost of the NZeTA when applying. It is payable once per visa/NZeTA, NOT per entry!

Visitors from these countries and territories are exempt from paying the IVL:

• American Samoa
• Cook Islands
• Pitcairn Islands

New Zealand Traveler Declaration (Arrival Card)

All travelers must complete a traveler declaration before reaching passport control. You can complete it either online at the New Zealand Traveler Declaration website or on paper at the airport.

Pay close attention to the requirements to declare certain items. New Zealand has very strict biosecurity protocols and failure to declare even otherwise safe items may lead to instant fines or more severe penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do i need a visa to travel to new zealand.

All nationalities except Australians require either an NZeTA or a Visitor Visa to travel to New Zealand. 

How many days can I stay in New Zealand without a visa?

Visa waiver nationalities can stay up to 90 days per visit (up to 6 months for UK citizens) in New Zealand. Total stay cannot exceed 6 months in a rolling 12-month period. All visa waiver nationals require an NZeTA to visit New Zealand. 

Note that you must apply for an NZeTA before you travel even if visa-exempt.

How long does it take to get a visitor visa for New Zealand in 2024?

It takes about 5 weeks or more to get a Visitor visa for New Zealand. About 80% of visitor visa applications are processed within 5 weeks.

How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand visa?

A bank balance of at least 1000 NZD per month of stay is required for a New Zealand visa. This can be 400 NZD if you have already paid for your accommodation.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

MORE VISA GUIDES

UNITED KINGDOM

VIEW ALL VISA GUIDES

• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Notice
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel Reservation
• Travel Insurance
• Onward Ticket
• Testimonials

Search this site

New Zealand Traveller Declaration Whakapuakanga Tangata Haere ki Aotearoa

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It is free and everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a declaration.

What you need to know

• Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a declaration.
• It is free and you can do it on the online form or the NZTD app.
• A declaration needs to be completed for each traveller, including babies and children.
• You can start your digital declaration at a time that suits you. The earliest time you can submit your declaration depends on whether you are travelling by air or sea.
• Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the eGate or by a border officer.
• There is a paper declaration form available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
• If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder, you still need to complete an NZTD as well.

When you can submit your declaration

Travelling by air.

The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time you reach passport control in New Zealand.

Long-haul journeys and stopovers

Travelling by sea

The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand.

Travelling by different vessel types

Welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand

Kia ora, nau mai haere mai.  Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand.  We want to help you understand what you need to do to travel here.  Our home is precious – a taonga. Please help to keep our tangata and our whenua – our people and our land – safe.   We ask everyone travelling to, or returning to New Zealand, to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.  You can do this on our website travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or by downloading the NZTD app.  You’ll be asked some questions about your trip and what’s in your bags. Some items can’t be brought into New Zealand. If in doubt, declare it for inspection. Please answer the questions honestly, otherwise you could be fined. We look forward to welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand.   Ka kite anō

Support and resources in other languages .

About the NZTD

YouTube video with te reo Māori subtitles

What you will need to complete your digital declaration

Passport details

Contact details in New Zealand

Travel history from the last 30 days

Travel details

What you need to declare

Visa or NZeTA, if you need one

Travellers arriving by sea on any maritime vessel can complete a digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD):

• Recreational vessel, yacht or small craft
• Diplomatically-cleared
• New Zealand Defence Force

New Zealand Immigration Law Immigration News

New zealand’s immigration overhaul: key changes for 2023-2024.

As 2023 draws to a close, New Zealand’s immigration landscape is set to undergo significant changes that will affect employers and migrants alike. From the launch of the Green List (Work to Residence) Visa to an increase in median wage requirements, these policy shifts could reshape the future of immigration in the country. Principal Immigration Lawyer Aaron Martin breaks down what these changes mean and how to best prepare for them.

Introduction of the Green List (Work to Residence) Visa  

For workers earning double the median wage or working in Tier 2 occupations on the Green List, there’s good news. If you were in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic and meet these criteria, you can start counting your required two years of work experience from 29 September 2021. However, be wary of the caveats:

• Employers must be accredited.
• English language requirements must be satisfied.
• The job must align with a Tier 2 occupation if that’s the basis for your application.

Some applicants may need wage adjustments to meet current median wage levels.

The Restrictive 6 Point Skilled Migrant Residence System

This new system will replace the existing one, lifting the cap on the number of residence visa approvals. The catch? The criteria have tightened so much that fewer people will qualify. The Immigration Department’s projections are telling:

• 764 applications expected for 2023/2024
• 1906 for 2024/2025
• 2867 for 2025/2026

The system prioritises those in registered occupations or those who can become registered. It also acknowledges only Bachelor Degrees and above, and roles paying 1.5x the median wage or higher. A notable detail is that older visa holders may face an effective age cut-off of 53 if they rely on acquiring three years of work experience before applying.

The Double-Edged Sword of 5-Year Work Visas

At face value, the introduction of 5-year work visas seems like a boon for businesses. However, there’s a catch: If an employee fails to secure residence by the end of the visa period, they must leave New Zealand for a year before reapplying. Employers must plan strategically:

• Determine early whether the employee can secure residence.
• Decide on a replacement strategy, whether it be another international worker or investing in training a replacement.

The Rising Tide of Median Wage

The government’s decision to continually raise the median wage is a clear indication of its indifference to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The annual increase of nearly $2 per hour has a ripple effect:

• Employers recruiting international workers will need to offer higher wages.
• Existing employees will likely demand pay parity.
• Increased wages lead to higher costs for employers, which are then passed on to consumers.

The government’s mandate for Immigration New Zealand to annually adjust the median wage, solely based on Statistics New Zealand data, should be reassessed. It is one small thing that a government can do to try and remove some of the inflationary pressure that is driving up costs to the New Zealand public.

My Advice to Employers and Work Visa Holders? Get Expert Advice

  Don’t navigate these intricate immigration waters alone; expertise is invaluable in such a volatile landscape. If you or your business is grappling with these upcoming changes, consult one of our experienced immigration lawyers at NZIL today. We can offer targeted advice and strategic solutions that align with your specific circumstances and objectives.

Latest Articles

News Categories

• Deportation
• Employer accreditation
• Employer Assisted Visa in NZ
• Employer Information
• Green List Visa
• Immigration Basic Facts
• Investor Visa
• KiwiBuild Visa
• New Zealand Work Visa
• Parent Visa Category
• Partnership Visa
• Skilled Migrant Visa
• Student Visa
• Testimonials
• Travelling to New Zealand

Article Tags

COVID-19 Election issues Employer Accreditation Employer Assisted Visa employer assisted work visa Employer resources Employer tips Essential skills visa Immigration information Immigration law changes Immigration News Migrant Employment Migrant news New Zealand news New Zealand residence visa New Zealand Residency New Zealand Travel New Zealand work visa Opinion Skilled labour shortage skilled migrant visa Visa information work visa Work Visa advice for employers

Make an Appointment

Need immigration advice?

Feel free to call us with your concerns or make an appointment to see how we can work with you.

We have a fluent Mandarin speaker in our team if you need Chinese language assistance.

Need a Review of your Case?

If your case is more complex , consider our 60-minute Immigration Clinic . In this one-on-one appointment with immigration lawyer Aaron Martin, you can talk through your specific issues and gain insight on the best approach.

Make an appointment or contact us to see how we can help.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

New Zealand tightens visa rules after migration hits ‘unsustainable’ levels

Net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high in 2023 after a new temporary work visa was introduced after the pandemic

New Zealand will tighten its visa rules for some migrants as the coalition government moves to overhaul the immigration system it says has led to “unsustainable” levels of migration.

Last year, annual net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high of more than 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens in the year to December, Stats NZ reported .

Immigration minister Erica Stanford announced on Sunday changes to the accredited employer worker visa (AEWV), the main temporary work visa, which was introduced in mid-2022 to help fill workforce shortages after the pandemic.

The government’s changes to the scheme would include introducing English-language requirements for low-skilled jobs and setting a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas. The maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles will also be reduced to three years from five years.

The changes would be immediate, she said.

“The government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage,” Stanford said in a statement. “At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”

New Zealand, which has a population of about 5.1 million, has seen a rapid growth in migrant numbers since the end of the pandemic, raising concerns last year that it was fanning inflation. A Reserve Bank-commissioned report released last month into the possible links between migration levels and inflation was inconclusive.

Stanford said the changes would also reduce the vulnerability of migrants to exploitation.

In February, the Public Service Commission released its review of the AEWV scheme, which former immigration minister Andrew Little ordered after complaints of exploitation. The commission found that a small number of “unscrupulous employers” targeted the scheme and took payments from people wanting to move to New Zealand.

“By having an English-language requirement migrants will be better able to understand their rights or raise concerns about an employer early,” Stanford said.

The government had scrapped plans to add 11 new roles to the Green List – a list of highly skilled roles that New Zealand is struggling to fill – including welders, and fitters and turners.

Neighbouring Australia, which has also seen a big increase in migration, has said it would halve its migrant intake over the next two years.

• New Zealand
• Asia Pacific

Most viewed

Visas and travel

Find out about travelling to New Zealand — what happens at the border, visa requirements, biosecurity and customs rules.

Borders and visas

Immigration New Zealand have up-to-date information for people who:

• want to enter NZ
• are in NZ 
• study in NZ
• want to start a business or invest in NZ
• are NZ employers.

New Zealand-visas — Immigration NZ

Arriving in New Zealand — what happens at the border

Biosecurity and customs rules

Find out what you can and cannot bring into New Zealand.

Bringing things into New Zealand

Travelling to NZ by air

Travellers flying into New Zealand’s international airports have the option to complete a digital arrival declaration or a paper arrival card.

New Zealand’s international airports are in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.

The digital arrival declaration can be completed within 24 hours of starting your trip to New Zealand. Do your declaration online or on the app — using your mobile phone or computer.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration — digital declaration

The paper Passenger Arrival Cards will still be available for travellers who cannot complete it online or prefer the paper version. The paper cards will be handed out on-board your flight to New Zealand .

COVID-19 declaration not required

Travellers entering New Zealand no longer need to complete a COVID-19 declaration.

New Zealand’s COVID-19 entry requirements ended on 20 October 2022.

Utility links and page information

JavaScript is currently turned off in your browser — this means you cannot submit the feedback form. It's easy to turn on JavaScript — Learn how to turn on JavaScript in your web browser. If you're unable to turn on JavaScript — email your feedback to [email protected] .

Do not enter personal information. All fields are optional.

You must enable JavaScript to submit this form

Last updated 11 July 2023

Contact NZ government

• A-Z of government agencies
• Contact details by topic

About this website

• About Govt.nz
• Feedback about Govt.nz
• The scope of Govt.nz

Using this website

• Accessibility
• Terms of use

Date printed 21 April 2024

NZ WORK, STUDY and VISITOR VISA UPDATES

Home >>Immigration Services>>   Latest Visa News

Latest on where NZ is with Work, Study and Visitor Visas

Immigration NZ is continuously making changes to rules and requirements for work, study, working holiday and visitor visas.

These affect both employers and migrants and, with the change of government, will happen in greater frequency.  So, watch this space for ongoing updates to help you keep up.

If you have any questions on the following, please contact our immigration team here

1- 90 Day Trial Removal

INZ will not accept 90 day trial periods in employment agreements for Work Visa holders.

But employers, of any staff size, can use 90 day clauses for NZ citizens/residents, as well as those on Working Holiday, Post-Study work, Student & partnership based work visas.

We suggest that you do include a probationary period within the employment agreement. This process is a bit of a hybrid between 90 day and performance management – it sets out expectations for performance level by a specific date and outcomes for falling short.

2- Changes to Median Wage

In late 2023, INZ announced that they were ‘pausing’ the median wage increase. This means that currently employers can still employ migrants for $29.66 p/hour.

However, from 27 Feb 2024, INZ did increase the median wage for migrants applying for Resident Visas. Therefore, if any workers apply for a Resident Visa now, they must be paid the new median wage of $31.61 p/hour.

3 – Skilled Migrant Pathway to Residence

In October 2023, INZ have reopened of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and Skilled Migrant Residency through a Green List based pathway to residence.

As above, migrants need to be paid at least NZ$31.61 p/hour to be eligible to apply for a resident visa. You can read more here .

4- Residence Tier Options 

INZ have established Tier 1 ‘Straight to Residence’ and Tier 2 ‘ Work to Residence’ options which are determined by INZ’s Green List of occupations and qualifications.

For instance, high demand, skilled occupations like some engineering, electricians and healthcare roles are Tier 1 which enable migrants in these roles and who meet the defined criteria are eligible to apply for residence upon job offer with an Accredited Employer.

Dairy Farm Workers would fall into Tier 2, ‘Work to Residence’ with ability to apply for residence if have at least 3 years’ professional experience and have worked in NZ for 2 years (from Oct 2021) in a Green List role e.g.,  Herd Manager, Assistant Farm Manager, Farm Manager roles.

Find out more information about this pathway here .

5 – Parent & Grandparent Visitor Visa

For NZ citizens/residents who want to be able to have parents AND/OR grandparents come and spend quality time for an extended visit, without the complexity and requirements of a Parent Resident application, there is a relatively unknown solution: the Parent and Grandparents Visitor Visa (‘PGVV’).

This visa option has far less hassle than a residency process and with better visa conditions than a regular General Visitor Visa (‘GVV’) allowing approved family members to visa 6 months a year for up to 3 years.

You can read more here .

6  – The Parent Resident Visa has Reopened

The Parents Category allows NZ residents/citizens to sponsor their parents for NZ residence if they meet specific sponsorship criteria. INZ have made a few favourable changes:

• The number of visas that can be granted each year has increased from 1,000 to 2,500.
• Some requirements, such as the income threshold, have also been lowered which means more people will find out that they now have the opportunity to bring their parents to NZ.
• The income threshold can now be achieved through two Resident sibling contributions instead of adult resident child and partner.

If you’d like to take advantage of this option, you can get in touch here or by calling us  09 303 3505

RECENT NEWS

• INZ Changes to Visa duration & eligibility and Job Checks
• NZ Work, Study and Visitor Visa Updates
• Partner Work Visa Update

8 Adelaide Street, Auckland 1010. New Zealand

+64 21 711 071 | 0800 891 314

If you're an Employer, you can sign up to see profiles of qualified candidates available for work

Send to a friend

• 2021 Resident Visa processing updates

Regular updates on 2021 Resident Visa processing times.

Visa processing updates

• Skilled Residence and Residence from Work application processing
• Working holiday visa processing updates
• Recovery Visa processing updates

We are committed to processing 2021 Resident Visa applications as quickly as possible.

More than 97% of applications have already been processed.

This page will be updated regularly with the latest processing times and information.

Total number of 2021 Resident Visa applications

Data valid as of approximately 22:00, 13 April 2024.

The data now includes statistics for applications processed in our other systems. This has resulted in a larger than normal increase in the statistics shown on this page. These statistics have not been included previously as we wanted to ensure there were no duplicates.