New Zealand · Application requirements

New Zealand Visa Requirements 2026

New Zealand entry depends on your nationality and purpose. Citizens of 60+ visa-waiver countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and most of Western Europe) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days (180 days for UK citizens) but must hold an NZeTA before boarding and pay the International Visitor Levy (IVL). All other nationalities need a Visitor Visa applied for online via the INZ portal. For work, the main pathway since mid-2022 is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV); the Working Holiday Visa is available to 18–30 (or 35) year-olds from ~45 partner countries; longer-term residence is via the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) using a 6-point system (with two new pathways — Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician — taking effect 24 August 2026).

Issued by Department of Internal Affairs · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

NZeTA — mobile app: NZ$17
NZeTA — web: NZ$23
International Visitor Levy (IVL): NZ$100
Visitor Visa (online): NZ$211–246
Working Holiday Visa: NZ$455–770
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): NZ$1,540
Skilled Migrant Category (resident): NZ$6,450

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

NZeTA: 10 min – 72 hours
Visitor Visa: ~6 working days (avg)
AEWV: ~4 weeks (avg)
Working Holiday Visa: 1–4 weeks
Skilled Migrant (resident): ~10 weeks
NZeTA validity: 2 years, multiple entries

details

Issuing authority

Department of Internal Affairs

Who needs a New Zealand Visa?

Where to apply

Online via the Immigration New Zealand portal at immigration.govt.nz, using a RealMe verified account. NZeTA requests are submitted through the official NZeTA mobile app or the NZeTA web form. Visitor, work, working-holiday, and resident visas are nearly all 100% online — paper applications are rare and only allowed for specific categories. Biometrics (fingerprints + photo) may be required at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) for nationals of designated countries.

Fees

NZeTA — mobile app: NZ$17
NZeTA — web: NZ$23
International Visitor Levy (IVL): NZ$100
Visitor Visa (online): NZ$211–246
Working Holiday Visa: NZ$455–770
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): NZ$1,540
Skilled Migrant Category (resident): NZ$6,450

The NZeTA costs NZ$17 via the official mobile app or NZ$23 on the web — visa-waiver travellers (US, UK, EU, Canada, etc.) need it before boarding. On top of the NZeTA or visa fee, most visitors pay the International Visitor Levy (IVL) of NZ$100, which jumped from NZ$35 on 1 October 2024. The standard Visitor Visa (for nationalities not on the waiver list) costs NZ$211–246 online depending on country and processing centre. Working Holiday Visa fees range from NZ$455 to NZ$770 by nationality (US applicants pay around NZ$770). The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — which replaced Essential Skills in mid-2022 — is NZ$1,540 for the worker (employers separately pay NZ$775 for standard accreditation plus NZ$735 per job check). The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa application fee is NZ$6,450 (the Expression of Interest is free).

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Valid passport with at least 3 months' validity beyond intended departure
Digital biometric photo, 35×45 mm, taken within the last 6 months
RealMe account credentials for the online portal
Credit/debit card for the application fee and IVL
Evidence of funds (NZ$1,000/month, or NZ$400/month if accommodation is pre-paid) for visitors
Return or onward travel ticket (visitor categories)
Job offer / employment agreement from an accredited employer (AEWV)
Job Check approval reference from the employer (AEWV)
Qualifications, work-experience evidence, and skills assessment (Skilled Migrant)
Police certificates (for stays over 24 months or resident visas)
Medical certificate / chest X-ray (for stays over 6–12 months or resident visas)

Need the photo specs?

Exact size, head height, background, and what gets rejected.

Open photo requirements →

How long does it take?

NZeTA: 10 min – 72 hours
Visitor Visa: ~6 working days (avg)
AEWV: ~4 weeks (avg)
Working Holiday Visa: 1–4 weeks
Skilled Migrant (resident): ~10 weeks
NZeTA validity: 2 years, multiple entries

NZeTA is typically issued within 10 minutes to 72 hours and is valid for 2 years (multiple entries). Visitor visas average 6 working days in 2026, with 80% completed in 15 working days. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) averages 4 weeks (7 weeks for 80% of cases), with Green List roles around 3 weeks and health-sector roles 2.5 weeks. Skilled Migrant Category resident visas average about 10 weeks, with a maximum of around 5 months. Family-sponsored resident categories (e.g., Parent visa) can take 10+ months.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a new zealand visa.

How much does a New Zealand visa cost in 2026? +

It depends on the category. An NZeTA is NZ$17 (mobile app) or NZ$23 (web), plus the International Visitor Levy of NZ$100. A standard Visitor Visa is NZ$211–246. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is NZ$1,540. A Working Holiday Visa runs NZ$455–770 depending on nationality. The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is NZ$6,450.

What is the difference between an NZeTA and a New Zealand visa? +

An NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is a pre-travel authorisation — not a visa. It is for citizens of the 60+ visa-waiver countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Japan, etc.) who want to visit for up to 90 days (180 days for the UK). If your passport is not on the visa-waiver list, you must apply for a Visitor Visa instead, which is a full application with supporting documents.

What is the International Visitor Levy (IVL)? +

The IVL — full name "International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy" — is a NZ$100 charge that funds conservation and tourism infrastructure. It was raised from NZ$35 to NZ$100 on 1 October 2024. Most tourists, students, and work visa holders pay it once per visa/NZeTA. Australian citizens, Pacific nationals, and certain other categories are exempt. It is paid together with the visa or NZeTA application.

Do US, UK, or EU citizens need an NZeTA to visit New Zealand? +

Yes. US, UK, EU, Canadian, Japanese, Korean, and other visa-waiver passport holders do not need a full visa for short visits — but they must obtain an NZeTA before boarding their flight. The NZeTA costs NZ$17 (app) or NZ$23 (web) and is valid for 2 years with multiple entries. The IVL of NZ$100 is paid at the same time.

What is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)? +

The AEWV replaced the Essential Skills visa in July 2022 and is now the main employer-sponsored work visa in New Zealand. It has three steps: the employer must be accredited (NZ$775 for standard, NZ$1,280 for high-volume), the role must pass a Job Check (NZ$735), and then the migrant worker applies (NZ$1,540). The worker must usually be paid at or above the median wage and meet skill, qualification, and English-language thresholds.

What countries are eligible for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa? +

About 45 countries have a Working Holiday agreement with New Zealand — including Australia, the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and many more. Most schemes are for ages 18–30 and 12 months. UK, Canadian, Czech, Finnish, Hungarian, Slovak, Argentine, Chilean, and Uruguayan applicants can apply up to age 35; UK citizens can stay up to 36 months and Canadians up to 23 months.

How does the New Zealand Skilled Migrant points system work? +

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) uses a 6-point system. You earn points for your highest qualification, NZ-recognised occupational registration, salary level relative to the median wage, and New Zealand work experience. You need at least 6 points to qualify, plus a skilled job (or job offer) in New Zealand. From 24 August 2026, two new pathways open — Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician — broadening access beyond academic qualifications. The Expression of Interest is free; the visa application costs NZ$6,450.

How long does it take to get a New Zealand visa? +

NZeTAs are usually issued within minutes, but allow up to 72 hours. Visitor visas average 6 working days in 2026 (80% within 15 working days). The AEWV averages 4 weeks (7 weeks for 80% of cases), faster for Green List and health roles. Working Holiday visas are usually 1–4 weeks. Skilled Migrant resident visas average around 10 weeks, with the longest at around 5 months. Family-sponsored resident categories (Parent visa) can take 10–13 months.

Can I apply for a New Zealand visa on paper? +

Almost everything is online via immigration.govt.nz with a RealMe account. INZ has moved nearly all categories to online-only — NZeTA, Visitor, AEWV, Working Holiday, Student, and Skilled Migrant all run through the portal. A handful of paper-form pathways still exist (some partnership and humanitarian categories), but for the high-volume queries the answer is: apply online.

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