Who Needs a Business Visa?
Any foreign traveler who wishes to visit New Zealand for business-related purposes such as a meeting, conference, seminar, contract negotiation, marketing, sales, trade fairs, job interviews, trainings, researchers and the like, and is not from a visa-exempt country will need to apply for a business visa.
If you wish to go to New Zealand for business reasons and you do not need to stay for any more than 3 months in any one year, that is 90 days or less, then you require a business visa, which you can obtain after a successful application at the New Zealand embassy/consulate in your vicinity.
Criteria you must meet
To be eligible for a business visa, you must meet certain criteria.
- You must show that you are a genuine business visitor and intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
- You must have enough money to live on while you’re in New Zealand, or have the financial support of your employer.
- You must also have a ticket to leave New Zealand or be sponsored for the cost of your onward travel.
How long can I stay on this visa?
You may stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months on a business visa.
What Else Can I do on a Business Visa?
With this visa you can visit New Zealand for business reasons, study for up to 3 months. After the expiration of the visa, you may apply for a work visa, if you need to stay for longer than 3 months. You can apply for a business visa at any time.
Things to note
People from certain countries can travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first, we call this travelling visa waiver.
It is faster and easier to apply online. Check if you’re eligible to apply online for a visa. Visit the new Zealand immigration website at www.immigration.govt.nz for more information.
You can include your partner and dependent children in your application, but you’ll need to use the paper form to apply. Also note that you must apply for entry permission when you arrive in New Zealand. You can do this by completing an arrival card, which you’ll be given on the way to New Zealand.
Incidental Requirements
- Unless your visa label or letter states “Return/onward travel not required” you must have a ticket to leave New Zealand whenever you travel here.
- You must have enough money to support yourself for the length of your visa or have a sponsor.
Am I Permitted to Work and Study On a Business Visa?
You cannot work in New Zealand on a Business Visitor Visa, but you can carry out the specific business, for which you were granted a visa. You can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period. Also note that you must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
Citizens from Visa Waiver Countries
Citizens of visa waiver countries do not have to apply for a visa before travelling to New Zealand if they are visiting for 3 months or less, they are visiting for 6 months or less and are a British citizen.
A visa must be applied for if the travel is for medical consultation or treatment.
The following countries are visa waiver countries:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia (citizens only), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (residents with HKSAR or British National (Overseas) passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kuwait, Latvia (citizens only), Liechtenstein, Lithuania (citizens only). Others are Luxembourg, Macau (Macau Special Administrative Region passports only), Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal (with the right to live permanently in Portugal), Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (permanent residents only), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (must have the right to reside permanently in the United Kingdom), United States of America (includes USA nationals), Uruguay, Vatican City.
Basic Requirements for a Business Visa
You must be in good health, you must be of good character, and must genuinely intend to meet the conditions of your visa. You must be visiting New Zealand for business reasons. You must provide a letter from your employer, or the New Zealand company you’ll be doing business with, confirming: your employment the business reasons for your visit.
You also must show evidence of funds or employer support. You must have enough money to live on while you’re in New Zealand, or the financial support of your employer and have a ticket to leave New Zealand or be sponsored for the cost of your onward travel. You must agree to pay your own health care costs
How long Does it Take?
90% of applications are currently completed within 14 days.
How much does it cost?
It costs $NZD 165 for Immigration New Zealand to process the application.
There is also a passport Fee of ZAR R 505 per application. After you apply online you must send in your passport. The passport fee is for the Visa Application Centre (VAC) to receive and handle your passport.
Here is Sample Invitation Letter you may use as part of your documentation needed in your application for a business visa. This is an Invitation Letter to the New Zealand Embassy for a participant to attend a conference. The letter should be written on the organization’s letterhead. Be sure to include all the relevant information about the relationship and arrangement between the applicant and the organization.
Sample Invitation Letter for Business Visa to New Zealand
August 10th, 2018
New Zealand General Consulate in Vancouver,
Suite 2250, 1050 West Pender Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E 3S7.
RE: INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION AT 5 ANNUAL NEW ZEALAND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT
DEAR HONORABLE CONSUL,
We would like to confirm that John Shumer is registered for the 5th Annual New Zealand Education & Technology Summit coming up on 29th- 31 October, 2018 Auckland, New Zealand. John Schumer is a a full-time employee of Carl Technologies, and has been since 2010. The theme for this year’s conference is the Future of Integrated Eco-Bio Systems. Mr. Schumer’s presence and contributions will greatly enrich the conference and give all participants the opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
All of Mr. Schumer’s accommodation and living expenses have been covered by his registration fees. Please find the registration details attached.
We would be happy to provide any further information that may be required in order to facilitate obtaining Mr. Shumer’s visa.
Yours faithfully,
Vivien Wood.
Coordinator-in-Charge,
New Zealand Education Techonology Summit
(2018 Organising Committee).
