Understanding New Zealand Business Visa: Eligibility, Requirements and Fees

Embarking on a business venture from India to New Zealand? Our comprehensive guide is tailored to aid you through each stage of securing a New Zealand business visa for Indian citizens.

We detail the eligibility criteria, essential documentation, and associated fees involved in acquiring a New Zealand business visa. Whether you're considering an e-visa or planning to obtain your visa upon arrival, our guide is crafted to simplify the visa application process for your business endeavours.

Prepare for a seamless and productive trip to New Zealand. Explore our guide to commence your business journey in New Zealand confidently!

Should you have any queries or require further assistance, do not hesitate to contact our Teleport visa experts at 073148 52914 or reach out to us via WhatsApp.

A New Zealand business visa allows individuals to enter the country for business-related purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, or exploring business opportunities. 

The eligibility criteria for a New Zealand business visa can vary depending on the specific type of visa being applied for and the individual circumstances of the applicant. However, some common eligibility requirements for a New Zealand business visa may include:

Purpose of Visit: Applicants must demonstrate that their visit to New Zealand is for business-related purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, or exploring business opportunities.

For visits to New Zealand lasting less than three months, individuals may qualify for a Business Visitor Visa under the following circumstances:

If the visit involves work activities beyond these parameters or extends beyond three months, a work visa application is required.

Financial Sufficiency: To qualify for a New Zealand business visa, you need to demonstrate financial stability to support yourself during your stay. You can either show financial support from your employer or have personal funds available. Specifically:

This ensures that you have the necessary financial resources to support yourself during your time in New Zealand, either through personal means or sponsorship from your employer or another party.

Character and Health: Applicants must meet the character and health requirements set by the New Zealand immigration authorities. This may involve providing police clearance certificates and undergoing medical examinations if necessary.

Recent Photo: Your visa photo should not be more than 6 months old.

Head Position: Keep your head centred and fully visible in the photo.

Eyeglasses and Headgear:

If you wear eyeglasses, ensure there is no glare and your eyes are clearly visible.

Religious headgear is permitted, but your entire face (from chin to forehead, including cheeks and ears) must be visible.

Prescription Glasses: If you wear glasses, ensure that your eyes are clearly visible through the lenses without any glare. Consider removing them if necessary.

Head Covering: If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons, ensure that your face and hairline are clearly visible.

Lighting on Face: Make sure there is even and balanced lighting on your face to avoid shadows.

Background: Choose a plain, light-coloured background (not pure white) without any patterns or objects.

Avoid Red-Eye: Ensure that your photo is free from the 'red-eye' effect.

Step 1: Identify Visa Type

Determine the appropriate visa type for your business trip and assess your eligibility. Familiarise yourself with the required documentation, processing duration, and associated fees

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

To apply for a New Zealand business visa, you must assemble specific documents as outlined in the visa requirements. Ensure that any non-English documents are translated by a certified translator to expedite your application process. Familiarise yourself with the accepted document formats for online submission.

Step 3: Submit your Application

Commence your application process by signing in with your RealMe account or creating one if you haven't already.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

Fill out the online application form with your personal details, passport information, health particulars, employment specifics, and upload essential documents such as passport photos, your passport, bank statements, and travel plans.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Fees

Utilise debit or credit cards to settle the visa fees as part of your application process. Upon payment, proceed to submit your application.

Step 6: Await the Embassy Decision

Immigration New Zealand will review your application and supporting documents to ensure all necessary information is provided for a decision. Processing times vary depending on visa type, individual circumstances, and submitted information. Incomplete applications may result in longer processing durations.

Log in to your Immigration New Zealand online account to check for any additional information requests and to monitor your application's progress.

Step 7: Track Your Application

Check your application status by logging in to Immigration Online with your RealMe account. Navigate to the 'My Visas' tab, locate the 'Submitted applications' section, and review the 'Status' column.

Step 8: Receive your eVisa

After submitting your New Zealand visa application online, it will undergo processing. Hence, it is recommended to initiate the visa application as soon as your travel plans are confirmed, allowing ample time for the New Zealand business visa process time.

Upon completion of the eVisa processing, you will receive the approved eVisa through email. It is imperative to print a physical copy of this document and carry it with you when travelling to New Zealand.

Step 1: Identify Visa Type

Begin by determining the suitable visa type for your journey, in this instance, a business visa, and confirming your eligibility. Familiarise yourself with the required paperwork, processing duration, and associated fees for your visa application.

Ensure that you meet the New Zealand business visa prerequisites. If any of your documents are not in English, consider arranging translations before proceeding.

Step 2: Commence Application

Once ready, visit the Immigration New Zealand website to kick-start your business visa application online. Alternatively, download the business visa application form, complete it, and gather the necessary supporting documents for submission.

Applications can be lodged in person, via an authorised representative, or by mail to the designated Visa Application Centre.

Step 3: Arrange Appointment

After submitting your business visa application, arrange an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to physically submit your application. Alternatively, you can choose to send your application via courier or mail to the designated NZVAC address.

Please note that each member of a family or group must schedule individual appointments. Walk-in submissions are not permitted for the safety of all applicants.

Step 4: Payment of Charges

Payment for the business visa can be made using a demand draft or credit card during the application process or at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment.

Step 5: Submit Application

Present your completed business visa application form at the Visa Application Centre in person or through an authorised representative.

Step 6: Monitor Application Progress

Stay updated on the status of your business visa application by checking your email for notifications from Immigration New Zealand. Some Visa Application Centres may offer SMS updates for courier tracking. Verify availability at your chosen centre.

Step 7: Collection of Documents and Visa

Upon processing of your business visa application, retrieve your documents from the Visa Application Centre. Depending on the centre's procedures, your documents may be returned to you directly or through courier services.

For Indian citizens applying for a New Zealand business visa, the processing time varies depending on whether you apply online or through VFS Global. Here's a breakdown:

It's essential to consider these processing times when planning your travel and visa application to ensure timely completion and avoid any inconvenience.

When applying online, the New Zealand business visa cost for Indians is NZ$211. This fee includes the processing of your application by Immigration New Zealand. Payment for your visa application can be made online using Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay.

If applying offline through VFS Global, the New Zealand business visa fees are INR 11,150/- plus an additional VFS service fee of INR 1,625/-.

For business visas to New Zealand, the length of stay granted is up to 3 months, subject to the discretion of the New Zealand Immigration Department. It's crucial to verify the specific dates and duration upon receiving your visa approval.

If you anticipate the need to extend your stay in New Zealand beyond your current visa's expiration date, please note that extending your existing visa is not feasible. Instead, you must initiate the application process for either a new visa or a temporary visa before your current one expires.

To apply for a temporary visa, it's essential to ensure that:

We recommend initiating the application for a new visa at least one month before the expiry date of your current visa to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any disruptions to your stay.

To conclude, navigating the process of obtaining a New Zealand business visa can be made simpler with the information provided in this guide. Ensure that you fulfil the specific New Zealand business visa requirements tailored to your business travel needs. New Zealand's rich culture and breath taking landscapes are awaiting your exploration and business endeavours.

Should you have any inquiries or require assistance, our dedicated team is ready to provide guidance and support.

Contact us at 073148 52914 or reach out to us via WhatsApp.

Wishing you safe travels and a successful journey in conducting business in New Zealand!