New Zealand · Visa guide
New Zealand Visitor Visa
A visa for tourism, family visits, weddings and short stays of up to 9 months — Indians need a full visitor visa, not an NZeTA.
- ProcessingAbout 3-5 weeks once a complete application is lodged
- Visa categoryVisitor Visa
- Your guideOne consultant
Start here
New Zealand Visitor Visa — overview
The New Zealand Visitor Visa is the standard route for Indian travellers — for tourism, visiting family, attending a wedding, short courses under three months, or business meetings. India is not on New Zealand's visa-waiver list, so an NZeTA is not enough; a full visitor visa is required for any visit.
A single-entry visa allows one trip of up to 9 months. A multiple-entry visa is usually valid 18 months to 2 years, with each stay capped at 6 months and a hard ceiling of 9 months in any 18-month period. Applications are lodged online with Immigration New Zealand, with biometrics given at a VFS Global centre in India.
Every visitor application is judged against the "bona fide visitor" test — the officer must be satisfied your purpose is genuine, your funds are your own, and you intend to return. Most Indian refusals come down to weak ties or unclear finances. Lifeset Overseas builds the file so that question is answered before it is asked.
8 items
Documents you need
Valid passport
Valid at least 3 months beyond your intended departure, with a blank page for the eVisa label.
Passport photograph
A recent colour photo, 35mm x 45mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Cover letter
Setting out the purpose of the visit, dates, who is funding it, and your intention to return to India.
Proof of funds
Bank statements for the last 3-6 months showing at least NZD 1,000 per person per month (NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid), plus the return fare.
Income proof
Income-tax returns or Form 16 for the last 2-3 years, and last 3 months salary slips if employed.
Employer leave letter
From your Indian employer confirming your role, salary, approved leave and return to the job. Self-employed applicants give business registration and financials.
Travel & accommodation
Confirmed return flight booking and hotel itinerary — or, if visiting family, an invitation letter with the host's passport copy and proof of NZ residence.
Health certificate
A chest X-ray certificate (INZ 1096) if your stay will exceed 6 months.
5 steps
How the process works
Typical processing: About 3-5 weeks once a complete application is lodged — longer in peak periods (April-June and October-December).
Step 1
Free eligibility review
We assess your profile against the bona-fide-visitor test and build a document checklist for your trip.
Step 2
Build and verify the file
Funds, employer letters, itinerary and the cover letter are prepared and cross-checked for consistency.
Step 3
Lodge online with Immigration NZ
The application is submitted through the Immigration Online portal using a RealMe account.
Step 4
Give biometrics at VFS Global
You attend a VFS Global centre in India to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Step 5
Decision & eVisa
Immigration New Zealand assesses the application and issues the visa electronically (eVisa).
Transparent
Costs & fees
Item
Amount
Visitor visa application fee
Standard online offshore fee for Indian citizens.
NZD 211
International Visitor Levy (IVL)
Per applicant, non-refundable.
NZD 100
VFS Global service charge
Plus biometrics, courier and any translation costs.
Confirmed at booking
Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.
3 answers
Frequently asked questions
- Q.Can I visit New Zealand on an NZeTA?
- No. India is not on New Zealand's visa-waiver list, so Indian passport holders cannot use an NZeTA for tourism — a full Visitor Visa is required for every visit.
- Q.How long can I stay?
- A single-entry visa allows one trip of up to 9 months. A multiple-entry visa caps each stay at 6 months, with a hard limit of 9 months in any rolling 18-month period.
- Q.Can I include my family?
- Yes — a spouse or partner and dependent children aged 19 or under can be included on one application. Each pays the IVL, but only the main applicant pays the visa fee.
Why it matters
Going it alone vs filing with us
On your own
- Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
- Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
- No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
- Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
- A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.
With Lifeset Overseas
- An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
- A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
- Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
- Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
- Every case handled by one licensed consultant, end to end.
Refused before?
A refusal isn't the end
Refused applicants often win the second time — once the real reason is fixed. If a New Zealand visa has been refused, we:
- Read the actual refusal letter and pinpoint the real gaps.
- Advise whether to pull the officer's notes (CAIPS / GCMS) for the true reason.
- Identify which part was weak — funds, employment, purpose or ties.
- Tell you honestly whether to reapply now or strengthen the file first.
- Rebuild a stronger application — same fixed fee, refusal or first try.
Your next step
Ready to start your New Zealand Visitor Visa?
A visa file is won or lost on the small things — a mismatched date, a thin financial trail, a document formatted wrong. We go deep into your profile, build every document properly, and give you an honest verdict before you commit. If your case isn't ready, we'll tell you — and tell you exactly how to fix it.
Free, honest assessment
We read your full profile and tell you straight whether your case is ready — before you pay anything.
Your file, built right
Every document prepared, apostilled, translated and stress-tested the way the embassy expects.
One consultant, end to end
The same person handles your case from the first call to the visa decision — no hand-offs.
We handle the process
VFS appointment, biometrics, submission and follow-up — we manage the moving parts for you.
licensed (No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024)Fixed fees agreed upfrontWe won’t take a case we believe will fail
Other New Zealand visas
New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
A visitor visa for short business activity in New Zealand — meetings, conferences and negotiations, with no employment.
New Zealand Student Visa
The Fee Paying Student Visa — the main route for Indian students enrolling full-time at a New Zealand university, polytechnic or institute.
New Zealand Student Guardian Visa
A visitor visa that lets one parent or legal guardian live in New Zealand with a child who is studying there.
New Zealand Skilled Migrant Residence
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — the main permanent-residence route for skilled Indians, points-based and tied to a skilled job.
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Don’t leave your visa to chance.Let’s build a stronger file together.
- Honest assessment
- Fixed all-in fees
- No handovers between staff
- Licensed in Patiala
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