Do You Need a Business Visa for New Zealand or ETA?

Updated on Jan 08, 2025 | New Zealand eTA

If you have been wanting to travel to the land of the Kiwis, then you might have wondered: Do I need a Visa for New Zealand? You might have also thought about whether you need a New Zealand ETA. So, if you have been searching for answers, read on to know more!

Introduction to New Zealand Travel Requirements

Let's explore more about these Visas below in detail, so that you have better understanding.

What is a New Zealand Visa?

It is an official travel document that authorizes you to travel to New Zealand. There are many types of such visas. However, that often depends on the purpose of traveling.

  • Allow you to visit the country
  • Let you travel there to study
  • Allow you to work in that country
  • Let you travel to join or bring your family
  • Allow you to start a business
  • Let you settle down there

You have to apply for the following types of visas if you wish to:

  • Just go there for leisure: NZeTA, Visitor, Group Visitor Visa, etc.
  • Study: Visitor, Fee-paying Student, etc.
  • Work: Skilled migrant category, Care Workforce role, Straight to Residence, etc.
  • Join or bring your family: Partner, Child of a Worker, Partner of a Student, etc.
  • Start a business: Entrepreneur Resident, Active Investor, etc.
  • Settle down there: Skilled migrant category, Care Workforce role, Work to Residence

What is a New Zealand ETA?

The New Zealand Electronic Transit Authority or NZeTA is a digital document that was issued by the Government of New Zealand in 2019. It can also be called an eVisa or online Visa. It is comparatively easy to obtain this Visa since it has a simplified New Zealand ETA application process.

Additionally, when you apply for an NZeTA, you can avoid:

  • Visiting the New Zealand Embassy or Consulate
  • Physically sending your passport to the authorities for review
  • Making an appointment for an interview
  • Paying cash

You'll also enjoy the following advantages when you use the eVisa:

  • Being able to visit New Zealand without a physical visa
  • Paying less than you would for a traditional Visa
  • A highly simplified application process
  • Validity period of up to 2 years
  • Being able to transit through Auckland International Airport

New Zealand Visa vs. ETA: Check Your Eligibility

Let us now consider how a traditional New Zealand Visa is different from an eVisa or NZeTA. To qualify for the NZeTA, you must fulfill the following criteria:

Health:

You must be healthy and have no prevailing medical conditions since you might bring certain diseases into the country.

Character:

Ideally, you should be a good person and have no criminal or negative intentions towards the country of New Zealand.

Visa Waiver:

If you're a member of the Visa Waiver Countries, then you are eligible to visit New Zealand without first applying for a visa. Everyone else must apply for a Visa.

Financial health:

You should be financially well-off if you wish to apply for the NzETA. Particularly, you should have:

  • NZ$1000 monthly for accommodation
  • NZ$400 monthly for prepaid accommodation

Businesspersons must fulfil the following criteria to qualify for a business visa:

Purpose of visiting:

You must have documents to showcase that you're doing any of the following with knowledge of the Government of New Zealand:

  • Participating in a trade mission, selling some commodities
  • Purchase some commodities
  • Sell some commodities
  • Conducting some kind of discussions or negotiations
  • Participating in business activities with the concerned authorities

Financial viability:

Just like for the New Zealand ETA application process, you need to have at least the following kind of financial strength:

  • NZ$1000 monthly for accommodation
  • NZ$400 monthly for prepaid accommodation

Health and Character:

You must demonstrate an impeccable character and provide a clean bill of health. This means you must be able to produce medical certificates, with English translations if they're originally in your local language.

If you do not have any recent health check-up documents, you have to undergo a medical examination.

How to Apply for a New Zealand Business Visa

Let's take a step-by-step look at the business visa application.

Documents:

You must gather all the relevant documents for your New Zealand Business Visa:

  • A completed INZ 1017 form
  • Scanned copy of the last pages of your previous and current passports
  • Copies of your hotel bookings and airplane tickets
  • 2 Photographs that fulfil the official parameters
  • Any form of National Identity
  • A Cover letter from the company or employer you will be working with
  • Bank statements confirming your payments or balance for your accommodation
  • Income Tax Returns
  • Proof of investing in some assets like FDs, etc.
  • A cover letter that specifies and mentions your reasons and purpose for visiting, duration, etc.

Application Form

Filling the relevant business form, since these forms differ based upon whether you're an entrepreneur, skilled migrant, etc.

Fees

The form submission will be completed only after you pay the sum of NZ$341. Choose a secure payment gateway and use a debit or credit card suitable for international transactions.

Time for Processing

The Embassy often takes around a couple of weeks to revert back to the applicant. You have to pay according to the requested fees. The final sum will be affected by your country's details.

Tracking process

If you wish to know about the status of your business visa, you can check that here.

Mistakes to Avoid for a Successful Visa Application

During the New Zealand ETA Application process, you must avoid some common mistakes like:

  • Providing incomplete information
  • Missing important timelines
  • Providing insufficient supporting documents
  • Failing to reveal your criminal history
  • Having insufficient funds
  • Sending in unwanted documents

This will help you successfully apply for the Business Visa.

How to Apply for a New Zealand ETA

You can apply for an NZeTA in the following manner:

Putting in details in the form:

Traveling to the country requires you to fill out the relevant form. You will have to provide details like:

  • Your nationality
  • Name of the country that issued the passport to you
  • Passport number
  • Expiry date
  • Photograph (that fulfils official requirements)

Cross-checking:

The entire process should not take you more than 5 to 10 minutes. After you fill in all the information, you should review the details to prevent falsifying information.

Final confirmation:

You must then provide a declaration that states that all the information you've entered is correct to the best of your knowledge.

Payment:

After confirming all the details, you will have to pay a fee, the cost includes but NZeTA fees and IVL fees.

Waiting:

You must wait for up to 72 hours after that for the payment to be processed. If you're sending across multiple requests, they will be approved faster.

ETA Approval and Travel Guidelines

Once you apply for the NZeTA, it'll be valid for a period of up to two years for travelers and five years for crew members.

All Set to Fly off To New Zealand?

So, as you can see, you can apply for either:

  • NZeTA for a fast approval
  • Traditional business visa if you want to take the longer route

Keeping documents in place and the passport updated paves the way for a hassle-free experience. Do not hesitate to reach out to our helpdesk in case you require assistance. Happy traveling!

Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. Polish citizens, Portuguese citizens, British citizens, Swiss citizens and Norwegian citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA.

 
NEW ZEALAND ETA APPLICATION