Visa policy of New Zealand: Difference between revisions

[[File:Visa policy of New Zealand.svg|thumb|centrenone|800px678px|Visa policy of New Zealand

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<ref>{{cite web | title = E2.1 People to whom a visa waiver applies | website = immigration.govt.nz | publisher = [[Immigration New Zealand]] | date = 1 July 2019 | url = https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#46511.htm | access-date = 3 October 2019 | archive-date = 21 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200121111859/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#46511.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

* {{flagdeco|Antarctica}} members of, or any person associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the auspices of a Contracting Party to the [[Antarctic Treaty System|Antarctic Treaty]] (within the meaning of the Antarctica Act 1960) or any person to whom section 5 of that Act applies, but only if:

** the person concerned is seeking a temporary entry class visa;

** the application is made at an immigration control area;

* {{flagdeco|United Kingdom}} [[British citizens]], and any other [[British passport|British passport holder]] who can produce evidence of the [[Right of abode (United Kingdom)|right to reside permanently in the United Kingdom]], but only if the person concerned is seeking a Visitor Visa current for not more than six months and the purposes of the visit do not include medical consultation or treatment;

* {{flagdeco|United Nations}} people travelling on a [[United Nations laissez-passer]] who are seeking a Visitor Visa current for not more than three months;

* any other class of persons specified in the ''Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010'';

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*{{flagicon|European Union}} All [[Passports of the European Union countries|European Union citizensmember states]]{{ref|Estonia and Latvia|1}} {{ref|Greece|2}} {{ref|Portugal|5}}

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*{{flag|United States of America}}{{ref|USA|7}}

:#{{Note|BalticsEstonia and Latvia}} <small>Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien's (non-citizen's) passports issued by theseEstonia and countriesLatvia.</small>

*1 November 1987: Austria, ''France'' (New Caledonia and Tahiti residents), Greece, Malaysia, Malta, Portugal,<ref>Having the right of permanent residence in Portugal</ref> Singapore,<ref>{{cite news |title=NZ lifts visa requirement |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19861031-1.2.26.22?ST=1&AT=advanced&K=singaporeans%20will%20no%20longer%20need%20a%20visa&KA=singaporeans%20will%20no%20longer%20need%20a%20visa&DF=&DT=&NPT=&L=&CTA=&QT=singaporeans,will,no,longer,need,a,visa&oref=article |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |publisher=[[Singapore Press Holdings]] |date=31 October 1986 |page=16 |language=en}}</ref> Spain and United States (not including Nationals of USA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1987247/|title=Immigration Regulations 1987|website=www.nzlii.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408081404/http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1987247/|url-status=live}}</ref>

*1 July 1993: Brunei, South Korea and ''United States'' ([[United States nationality law#Nationals who are not citizens|Nationals of USA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1991an21993354/|title=Immigration Regulations 1991 Amendment No. 2 1993|website=www.nzlii.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411111526/http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1991an21993354/|url-status=live}}</ref>

*23 March 1995: ''France'' (all [[Overseas France]] residents)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1991an51995354/|title=Immigration Regulations 1991 Amendment No. 5 1995|website=www.nzlii.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411175739/http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1991an51995354/|url-status=live}}</ref>

*South Africa: 21 November 2016<ref>Was applied from 1 October 1996. [http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1991an71996354/ Immigration Regulations 1991 Amendment No. 7 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408081540/http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/ir1991an71996354/ |date=8 April 2017 }}, {{citation |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2016/0237/latest/whole.html#DLM6970521 |title=Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Amendment Regulations 2016 |date=20 October 2016 |access-date=25 June 2017 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014071837/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2016/0237/latest/whole.html#DLM6970521 |url-status=live }}.</ref><ref>{{Citecite web|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/travel/dha-announce-new-visa-regulations-for-new-zealand-travellers-20161213|title = New Zealand travellers now need visas to enter SA - DHA}}</ref>

New Zealand issues Online Visa for countries, that are not included of visa waiver countries.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas | title=Online Visa}}</ref>

* '''Residence class visas''' allows the holder to work, study and remain in New Zealand indefinitely, and does not expire while the holder remains in New Zealand.<ref name="Immigration Act 2009 s74">{{cite act| title = Immigration Act 2009| index = 51| language = en| date = 16 November 2009| article-type = Section| article = 74| url = http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440689.html}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115185334/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440689.html |date=15 January 2021 }}</ref> Conditions may be placed on a Resident Visa: most commonly, these conditions specify a period of time where one may leave and re-enter New Zealand as a resident, but may also relate to other matters (for example, a migrant applying for residence under the [[Skilled Migrant Category (New Zealand)|Skilled Migrant Category]] may have a condition imposed of taking up an offer of skilled employment within 3 months of arrival).<ref name="Section 49 Conditions">{{cite web |url=https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/site-information/glossary#section-49-conditions |title=Glossary: Section 49 conditions |website=immigration.govt.nz |publisher=Immigration New Zealand |access-date=21 May 2020 |quote=Sometimes visas are subject to extra conditions under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009. We call these section 49 conditions. For example, if you’re granted residence under the Skilled Migrant Category a section 49 condition could be that you take up an offer of skilled employment within 3 months of arriving in New Zealand. |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429153104/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/site-information/glossary#section-49-conditions |url-status=live }}</ref> It is, however, possible for the holder of a Resident Visa to obtain a [[New Zealand permanent residency|Permanent Resident Visa]] upon meeting all conditions and upon demonstrating a commitment to New Zealand, which allows the holder to work, study and remain in New Zealand unconditionally, as well as leave and re-enter New Zealand at any time, and the Permanent Resident Visa itself never expires.<ref name="Immigration Act 2009 s73">{{cite act| title = Immigration Act 2009| index = 51| language = en| date = 16 November 2009| article-type = Section| article = 73| url = http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440688.html}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928112222/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440688.html |date=28 September 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Different Residence Visas {{!}} Visa Advisers |url=https://visaadvisers.co.nz/residence-visas/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=visaadvisers.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

* '''Temporary entry class visas''' have a set expiry date, and conditions placed upon them based on the category under which the holder applied for a visa. Visas intended for [[tourism]], [[International student|long-term study]] or [[Foreign worker|foreign employment]] in New Zealand are typical examples of a temporary entry class visa.<ref name="Immigration Act 2009 s77">{{cite act| title = Immigration Act 2009| index = 51| language = en| date = 16 November 2009| article-type = Section| article = 77| url = http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440694.htmll}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001114050/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440694.htmll |date=1 October 2021 }}</ref>

* '''Transit visas''' allow the holder to pass through New Zealand on a journey between two2 sovereign states.<ref name="Immigration Act 2009 s86">{{cite act| title = Immigration Act 2009| index = 51| language = en| date = 16 November 2009| article-type = Section| article = 86| url = http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440709.html}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205163911/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440709.html |date=5 February 2019 }}</ref>

Many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35100.<brref>[https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ivl-increase-ensure-visitors-contribute-more-new-zealand IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand]</ref>

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Any travel document issued by the countries or sources listed below are unacceptable for travel to New Zealand, and visas will not be endorsed in them:<ref name="INZ Operational Manual A2.15">{{cite web | title = A2.15 Unacceptable travel documents | website = immigration.govt.nz | publisher = [[Immigration New Zealand]] | date = 8 April 2013 | url = https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#46160.htm | access-date = 3 October 2019 | archive-date = 21 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200121111859/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#46160.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

** {{flag|Taiwan}}: diplomatic and official passports (however, New Zealand allows the entry of bona fide [[Taiwanese nationality law|private permanent residents of Taiwan]] travelling on [[Taiwan passport]]s)<ref name="INZ Operational Manual A2.30">{{cite web | title = A2.30 Taiwan passports | website = immigration.govt.nz | publisher = [[Immigration New Zealand]] | date = 7 November 2011 | url = https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#42602.htm | access-date = 3 October 2019 | archive-date = 21 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200121111859/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#42602.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

* Travel documents that do not meet the requirements of "the definition of [[passport]] or [[certificate of identity]]" under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2009:<ref name="Immigration Act 2009 s4">{{cite act | title = Immigration Act 2009 | index =51 51| language =en en| date = 16 November 2009 | article-type =Section Section| article =4 4| url = http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440311.html}} {{Webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421121401/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440311.html | date=21 April 2020 }}</ref>

Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an [[APEC Business Travel Card]] (ABTC) with the "NZL" code on the reverse that denotes it is valid for travel to New Zealand can enter visa-free for business trips for up to 90 days.<ref>{{Citecite web | url=https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi | title=Visa information: New Zealand (NZ) | publisher=[[KLM]] | via=www.timaticweb.com | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140314210731/https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?FullText=1&COUNTRY=NZ&SECTION=VI&SUBSECTION=00&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C | archive-date=14 March 2014 | access-date=17 December 2013 }}</ref>

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New Zealand issued 262,033 general visitor visas in the 2016/17 fiscal year. Top nationalities were:<ref>{{Citecite web | url=https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/statistics/v1visitorappsdecidedbyfy.zip | title=Immigration New Zealand statistics – V1 – Visitor applications decided|access-date=5 February 2018 | archive-date=6 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190246/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/statistics/v1visitorappsdecidedbyfy.zip | url-status=live}}</ref>

Most visitors came from the following countries of residence:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Browse%20for%20stats/InternationalVisitorArrivalsToNewZealand/December%202015/IVA%20December%202015.pdf | title=International Visitor Arrivals to New Zealand: December 2015 Page 11 | website=stats.govt.nz | access-date=11 April 2018 | archive-date=29 June 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629115620/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Browse%20for%20stats/InternationalVisitorArrivalsToNewZealand/December%202015/IVA%20December%202015.pdf | url-status=live}}</ref>

In the early years New Zealand was seen by Europeans as the most remote country on earth. For most Europeans New Zealand was an unappealing prospect, a strange and lonely land reached after 100 days on dangerous seas; its coasts were thought treacherous, its inhabitants bloodthirsty. Only exceptional reasons led people to set off for such a distant corner of the globe. Many of New Zealand's early immigrants first spent time in Australia, and most of them were only temporary visitors in search of items to trade.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

The Chinese Immigrants Act 1881 was the first to restrict the entry of a specific group of people.

The number of [[Chinese New Zealanders|Chinese]] who could arrive on one ship was limited to one for every 10 tons of the vessel's weight. A poll tax of £10 was also imposed on each Chinese person entering the country.

Unlike the Chinese, most [[Indian New Zealanders|Indians]] were [[British subject]]s and free to enter New Zealand until the very end of the 19th century. From 1896, despite objections from the British government, New Zealand tried to pass more comprehensive legislation restricting the immigration not just of the Chinese but also of Indians and other [[Asian New Zealanders|Asians]].

On 1 November 1987, the Immigration Act 1987 came into force which changed the selection process for immigrants to one of merit, finalising a shift that had begun in the 1960s away from the emphasis at the time on nationality and ethnic origin as the basis for determining which immigrants were to be admitted. Immigrants were now selected in three categories: skills and business, family and humanitarian. The skills and business stream was originally based on an occupational priority list, but was replaced with a points system in 1991. The changes led to an increase in migration from non-traditional source countries (in particular from Asian countries), as it was now easier for these people to migrate to New Zealand.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Immigration regulation - 1986–2003: selection on merit |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |date=2005-02-08 |last=Beaglehole |first=Ann |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/immigration-regulation/page-5 |access-date=2022-05-10 }}</ref>