toshiko
New Zealand

Every New Zealand visa route, explained

New Zealand has a route for every purpose — short visits (Visitor Visa or NZeTA), plus transit, study, work (the Accredited Employer Work Visa), residence and the Working Holiday visa. Routes with verified step-by-step guides link straight to them; the rest link to Immigration New Zealand.

The routes

Visit & tourism

Visitor Visa / NZeTA

Short visits to New Zealand. Visa-waiver travellers request an NZeTA online; everyone else applies for a Visitor Visa. Australian citizens need neither.

  • Tourists, family visitors and short-term business travellers
Up to 6 or 9 months

10 verified step-by-step guides →

Transit

Transit visa / NZeTA

For travellers transiting through Auckland Airport; some nationalities need a transit visa, others an NZeTA.

Up to 24 hours

official page →

Study

Student visa

For full-time study of more than three months at an approved New Zealand education provider.

  • Students enrolled at an approved NZ institution

official page →

Work & business

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

New Zealand's main work visa — your employer must hold INZ accreditation and an approved job check.

  • Workers with an offer from an accredited employer
Up to 5 years

official page →

Family & residence

Residence visa (Skilled Migrant / Green List)

Pathways to live in New Zealand permanently, including the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List roles and partner/family residence.

  • Skilled migrants, Green List workers and partners/family of residents

official page →

Other routes

Working Holiday visa

Lets young people from recognised countries travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months (longer for some nationalities).

  • Young people (usually 18–30/35) from eligible countries
Up to 12 months

official page →

Verified step-by-step guides

Grounded on official sources — documents, fees, timeline, every fact dated and linked.

🇨🇳 China → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Chinese citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇫🇯 Fiji → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Fijian citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇮🇩 Indonesia → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Indonesian citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇮🇳 India → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Indian citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Sri Lankan citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇳🇵 Nepal → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Nepali citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇵🇭 Philippines → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Filipino citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇹🇭 Thailand → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Thai citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇻🇳 Vietnam → New ZealandVisitor Visa
Vietnamese citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.
🇿🇦 South Africa → New ZealandVisitor Visa
South African citizens need a Visitor Visa to visit New Zealand — apply online; stays of up to 6 or 9 months, no work.