The basics
A temporary visa from Immigration New Zealand for tourism, visiting family and friends, or short-term study.
Purpose
Tourism, visiting family or friends, or short periods of study.
Length of stay
Varies by visa type and circumstances. Single-entry and multiple-entry options each have their own limits.
Work rights
No employment in New Zealand. Remote work for an overseas employer may be allowed in certain circumstances.
Family
Partner and dependent children can be included on the same application with relationship and identity evidence.
Cumulative cap
There is an overall cap on total time spent in New Zealand on Visitor Visas. Current limits are published by INZ.
Alternatives
Visa-waiver country citizens may use an NZeTA instead. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport need neither.
Not sure which option fits? Limits and rules change. Talk to us before you start so we can match the right pathway to your situation.
Visit New Zealand for the trip you've been planning — the holiday, the family reunion, the wedding, the milestone you've been working toward — without losing weeks to second-guessing whether your application is strong enough.
When our help makes a difference
Many applications are approved without difficulty. Some situations carry real risk of delay or decline. Here's the pairing.
With MyLaw
Eligibility assessment + evidence framing
We work the genuine intentions test in INZ's own terms:
Real cases · Illustrative
Every case is different. These are illustrative and don't guarantee a particular outcome.
Avoidable problems
Visitor Visa applications can be declined or delayed for reasons that are sometimes avoidable with better preparation.
Weak ties to a home country, inconsistent travel history, or vague explanations of the purpose of a visit can raise concerns. A well-prepared application addresses these points directly with supporting evidence.
Bare-minimum bank balances, unclear income sources, or missing sponsorship documentation can lead to requests for further information or decline.
Applicants from countries without a low TB incidence may need a chest X-ray. Those with criminal history may need police certificates. Out-of-date evidence delays processing.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date. Travelling on a passport close to expiry can result in being refused boarding or refused entry at the border.
Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information — even unintentionally — can result in decline, and may affect future visa applications.
Applying too close to your intended travel date, or failing to apply for an extension before your current visa expires, creates complications that are difficult to resolve.
Important constraints
The Visitor Visa is for temporary visits only. If your plans go beyond that, you'll need a different visa category. Better to know now.
Not permitted
Applying for the wrong visa wastes time and money. We'll tell you up front if a different category fits your plans better.
Work for a New Zealand employer
No paid employment in NZ. Work Visa is what you need.
Live in New Zealand long-term
Not a residence pathway. See Residence Visa options.
Conduct business beyond short permitted activities
Meetings and negotiations OK; running a business is not. See Business Visitor Visa.
Join a partner you've lived with in NZ
A partnership-based visa usually fits better.
Spend extended time with family as a parent or grandparent
The Parent Boost or Parent & Grandparent Visitor Visa offers longer stays.
Undertake a full course of study
Short study only (under 3 months). For longer, see Student Visa.
Find the right pathway
If a different visa fits your situation, we can take you there directly.
Working with us
Short email discussion to understand your situation, travel plans, and any history that might affect the application. We'll tell you up front whether a Visitor Visa is the right path.
We work through the supporting documents with you — proof of funds, travel plans, relationship evidence, certificates where required — and address gaps before lodgement.
We lodge the application on your behalf and confirm receipt with INZ.
If INZ requests further information mid-process, we handle the response with you — promptly, in the right form. The difference between a short delay and a long one.
We walk you through the outcome. If the visa is granted, we explain conditions. If declined, we work through the reasons and your realistic options.
FAQ
Whether your application is straightforward or involves complicating factors, we can help you understand your options and put your best case forward.
MyLaw is a New Zealand law firm with a focus on immigration law. Our team is led by Michael Yoon, a New Zealand lawyer and member of the New Zealand Law Society. We hold current practising certificates and work across a range of immigration matters, from visitor visa applications to complex cases involving prior refusals, character issues, and multi-visa strategies.
