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Check your New Zealand visitor visa application before you apply

Immigration New Zealand publishes the manual its officers use. This page shows what it says a visitor must show, in the official words, and which parts usually decide a refusal.

Immigration officer Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Visitor Visa (applying from outside New Zealand)
01
Operational Manual E5 and V2.1: bona fide applicant

Not a genuine visitor

You must be a genuine visitor to New Zealand and intend to leave at the end of your visit.

What the officer assesses: Do your job, school, family and home give you good reasons to go back? Are they shown on paper?

Where this comes from 3 official sources
  • You must be a genuine visitor to New Zealand and intend to leave at the end of your visit.

    Visitor Visa, Genuine intentions

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • the personal circumstances of the applicant, including but not limited to:the strength of any family ties in the home country and New Zealand; the nature of any personal, financial, employment or other commitments in the home country and New Zealand; any circumstances that may discourage the applicant from returning to their home country when any visa expires.

    Operational Manual E5.10 Determining whether an applicant is a 'bona fide applicant', E5.10 Determining whether an applicant is a 'bona fide applicant'

    dated 30 March 2015 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Provide evidence of your work, study and living arrangements. This will help us decide if you are likely to return to your home country at the end of your trip.

    Checklist for India: Visitor visa general, intended stay of less than 6 months (INZ 11223), Evidence of your home country circumstances

    INZ 11223 07/24 · dated 2024-07 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • An employer letter giving your leave dates and the date you return to work
  • Proof of your business, such as a registration certificate, licence and tax returns
  • A school or college identity card or letter, if you study
  • Proof of close family at home
  • Proof of a home, land or business you own
  • A pension or retirement certificate, if you are retired
02
Operational Manual V2.20: funds or sponsorship

Not enough money, or no acceptable sponsor

You must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor.

What the officer assesses: Do you have NZD 1,000 for each month, or NZD 400 if your room is paid? Is the money in your own name? If not, does a sponsor fill in the form?

Where this comes from 5 official sources
  • You must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor.

    Visitor Visa, Enough money to live on

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • You must have at least NZD $1,000 a month, or NZD $400 a month if you have already paid for your accommodation.

    Visitor Visa, Enough money to live on

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Evidence must show: the bank account is in the applicant's name which bank the account is with, and which currency the money is in.

    Visitor Visa, Enough money to live on

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • funds that will be genuinely available to the applicant for the duration of their visa to New Zealand of at least NZ$1000 per month for maintenance and accommodation, or NZ$400 per month if the accommodation has been prepaid

    Operational Manual V2.20 Funds or sponsorship requirements, V2.20 Funds or sponsorship requirements

    dated 31 January 2022 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Bank statements or payslips for the previous 3 months showing salary credits.

    Checklist for India: Visitor visa general, intended stay of less than 6 months (INZ 11223), Evidence of your ability to fund your stay

    INZ 11223 07/24 · dated 2024-07 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • Recent bank or credit card statements in your name, showing the bank and the currency
  • Payslips or statements for the last 3 months showing your salary coming in
  • Proof of any stay you have already paid for
  • Where a sponsor pays: the Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025), their bank statements and payslips
03
Operational Manual V2.25: onward travel

No way shown to leave New Zealand

You must be able to show that you plan to leave the country at the end of your stay.

What the officer assesses: Do you have a ticket out? If not, do you have extra money to buy one? Or will a sponsor pay?

Where this comes from 3 official sources
  • You must be able to show that you plan to leave the country at the end of your stay.

    Visitor Visa, Leaving New Zealand

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The money for your ticket must be in addition to what you have to live on.

    Visitor Visa, Leaving New Zealand

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Applicants for a visitor visa are required to have the means to leave New Zealand.

    Operational Manual V2.25 Onward travel requirements, V2.25 Onward travel requirements

    dated 25 August 2014 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A ticket out of New Zealand, or an airline or travel agent letter saying it is booked and paid
  • Or bank statements showing money for a ticket on top of your living money
  • Where a sponsor pays for travel: their recent bank statements
04
Operational Manual V2.1.1: lawful purpose

Purpose of the visit not clear or not allowed

proof of your plans in New Zealand to show you are a genuine visitor

What the officer assesses: Do your letter, plans, bookings and invitation tell the same story? Is it a visit the rules allow, with no work?

Where this comes from 4 official sources
  • proof of your plans in New Zealand to show you are a genuine visitor

    Visitor Visa, Documents you need

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand

    Visitor Visa, Who can apply

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • they are not intending to undertake employment (see W2.2.1) or a programme of study or training, with the exception of short-term study (see V2.35 and U2.5(b)).

    Operational Manual V2.1 Visitor visa requirements, V2.1.1 Definition of 'lawful purpose' for visitors

    dated 31 July 2022 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The cover letter should cover when you intend to travel, reasons for your intended stay, and who you are travelling with.

    Checklist for India: Visitor visa general, intended stay of less than 6 months (INZ 11223), You may also want to include

    INZ 11223 07/24 · dated 2024-07 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A cover letter saying when you travel, why, and who travels with you
  • A day by day plan of your trip
  • Bookings for where you will stay
  • An invitation from family or friends in New Zealand, if you visit them
05
Immigration Act 2009 ss 15 and 16; Operational Manual V2.1

Health or character

You must be of good character.

What the officer assesses: Are the health and character questions answered fully and truly? Does a past crime or removal stop a visa by law?

Where this comes from 4 official sources
  • You must be of good character.

    Visitor Visa, Character

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • If you have a criminal conviction, or are a security risk to New Zealand, we might not give you a visa.

    Visitor Visa, Character

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • You must be in good health.

    Visitor Visa, Health

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • who has, at any time, been removed, excluded, or deported from another country.

    Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51), Section 15(1)(f)

    Version as at 10 July 2026 · dated 10 July 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • Honest answers to every health and character question
  • Police certificates, if asked for or if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more
  • A chest X-ray or medical examination, if asked for
06
Operational Manual E5.10: previous applications

Past overstays or broken visa conditions

whether the applicant has previously overstayed

What the officer assesses: Did you ever stay too long or break visa rules? Is it told and explained? Do past trips show you went home on time?

Where this comes from 3 official sources
  • any relevant information held about previous applications, including but not limited to:whether the applicant has previously overstayed; whether the applicant has previously breached visa conditions;

    Operational Manual E5.10 Determining whether an applicant is a 'bona fide applicant', E5.10 Determining whether an applicant is a 'bona fide applicant'

    dated 30 March 2015 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • When we decide if your intentions are genuine, we will consider all the information that: you provide to support your application we have about your personal circumstances you have previously given to us.

    Visitor Visa, Genuine intentions

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Any visas from previously travelled countries

    Checklist for India: Visitor visa general, intended stay of less than 6 months (INZ 11223), You may also want to include

    INZ 11223 07/24 · dated 2024-07 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • Copies of visas from countries you visited before
  • Entry and exit stamps showing you left on time
  • A short note explaining any past overstay or refusal
07
Immigration Act 2009 s 58

False, missing or wrong information

in applying for the visa submitted false or misleading information or withheld relevant information that was potentially prejudicial to the grant of the visa

What the officer assesses: Is every paper there, true and in English? Do your details match your passport? Does the passport last long enough?

Where this comes from 5 official sources
  • It is the responsibility of an applicant for a visa to ensure that all information, evidence, and submissions that the applicant wishes to have considered in support of the application are provided when the application is made.

    Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51), Section 58(1)

    Version as at 10 July 2026 · dated 10 July 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • It is sufficient ground for the Minister or an immigration officer to decline to grant a visa to a person if the Minister or officer is satisfied that the person,

    Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51), Section 58(6)

    Version as at 10 July 2026 · dated 10 July 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • whether personally or through an agent, in applying for the visa submitted false or misleading information or withheld relevant information that was potentially prejudicial to the grant of the visa

    Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51), Section 58(6)(a)

    Version as at 10 July 2026 · dated 10 July 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application will be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.

    Visitor Visa, Organise proof of identity, citizenship and age

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.

    Visitor Visa, Documents you need

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A copy of your passport, valid at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand
  • English translations of any paper not in English, made by someone who meets the rules, not a friend or family member
  • One acceptable photo
  • Every document on the list, sent with the application

Nigerian, Ghanaian and Indian passport holders need a Visitor Visa before they travel. Immigration New Zealand does not publish a list of refusal reasons. So these grounds rest on what the Visitor Visa page says you must show, the visitor rules in the Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual that officers follow, and the Immigration Act 2009. The money rule is set: at least NZD 1,000 for each month, or NZD 400 a month if your stay is already paid for, plus money for the ticket home. A multiple-entry visa lets you stay up to 6 months in 12 months, and a single-entry visa up to 9 months in 18 months, so 270 days is the longest stay. The 3 months of statements comes from the official checklist for India. The Visitor Visa page names no period for other countries.

Free check

Where does your application stand?

Answer a few questions and see how each requirement usually reads on your facts.

  1. 1 Why are you going?

    The purpose has to be one the visa permits, and the rest of the application has to match it.

  2. 2 Who is paying for the trip?

    Money that is not yours has to be evidenced by the person whose money it is.

  3. 3 What do you do at home?

    This is the tie the officer weighs most heavily, and the one most often left unevidenced.

  4. 4 What is your travel history?

    Travel you completed and returned from is the single most useful thing you can show.

Answer all 4 questions to see the result. Nothing you choose leaves this page.

Check now

Check your New Zealand visitor visa application before you apply

Immigration New Zealand publishes the manual its officers use. This page shows what it says a visitor must show, in the official words, and which parts usually decide a refusal.

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