Please read this change if you want to get a visa for New Zealand in 2025. According to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), it is now clear which types of visas need to be applied for online and which ones need to be sent in on paper.
This clarification from June 2025 is very important for everyone asking for a visa, whether they want to work, live, invest, or help others. If you send in your application the wrong way, it might take longer to process or even be rejected. Because of this, we will give you the most up-to-date information to help you send your application in the best way possible.
Benefits of New Zealand Visa:
- Legal Right to Live and Work: This gives you the freedom to stay, work, study, or invest, based on the type of visa you have.
- Way to Get Permanent Residency: A lot of cards, like the Work to Residence and Skilled Migrant, can help you get permanent residency and then citizenship.
- Access to Good Health Care: People who live in the country temporarily or permanently may be able to use state health care services.
- World-Class Education System: Student visa holders can go to top schools, and the children of certain visa holders may be able to go to school for free.
- Safe and Peaceful Living Environment: New Zealand is known for having a good quality of life and low crime rates. A safe and peaceful place to live is important.
- Balancing work and life: Take it easy, live in a clean place, and be protected well as an employee.
- Options for Family Sponsorship: Many types of visas let you bring family members with you or pay for them to come with you.
- Freedom to Travel: People with a visa can go in and out of New Zealand as much as they want during the time their visa is good.
- Chance to work in fields that are in high demand: Skilled immigrants can find work in IT, healthcare, building, farming, and other fields.
- Options for Entrepreneurs and Investors: Visas for investors and entrepreneurs help people who want to start their own businesses.
Check Also: Online Visa Policy Updated by New Zealand Immigration
New Zealand Visa Applications That Must Be Submitted Online:
A lot of types of visas must now be applied for through INZ’s online portal, which lets you pay the application fee digitally, upload papers, and send in pictures that look like passports. This guideline only allows applications to be made online for a wide range of common types of visas.
Here is a list of types of visas that must be submitted online:
- Residence Visa Plus Active Investor
- Employer Work Visa Accreditation
- Second or Subsequent Resident Visa
- Work-to-Residence Visa
- Permanent Resident Visa (with certain exceptions; see below)
- Work-to-Residence Visa for the Care Workforce
- Residence Visa to Transportation Work
- Resident Visa for the Skilled Migrant Category
- Immediately obtain a resident visa.
- Working Holiday Visa (exclusively for new applicants; renewals are subject to change)
- Visitor Visa (for Pacific Islands Forum countries, excluding Australia).
For more visa-related forms that need to be sent online, see:
- Variation of Travel Conditions on a Resident Visa
The Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010 of New Zealand have this rule about online submissions. It comes from Regulation 23AA(2). If you don’t follow the right format, your program might not be run.
Visa Applications That Must Be Made on Paper for New Zealand:
- While the online system works for most types of visas, there are some that can only be applied for on paper. These are usually humanitarian, refugee, or special residence visas.
- Permanent Resident Visa Exceptions That Can Only Be Filled Out on Paper: If you are asking for a Global Impact Visa, you must use paper forms to send in your application.
- Only paper forms can be used for refugee and humanitarian groups.
- It is necessary to send your application on paper if you are being referred by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or an approved supporter. This includes the following types of visas:
- UNHCR Legal and Physical Protection Needs
- Refugee Emergency
- CORS Refugee and Protection
- Refugee Quota Family Reunification
- UNHCR Medical/Disabled
- UNHCR Family Reunification
- UNHCR Women at Risk.
- For humanitarian safety, these cases often need special paperwork and are handled in a number of different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I submit my visa application?
Through RealMe, you can apply for most types of visas online. You don’t have to send your passport through the mail; everything is done online. You just need to make an account, send in your paperwork, and pay the fee.
How much does it cost?
How much a visa costs depends on what kind of visa it is. You will need to pay about NZD 256 for a guest visa and another NZD 100 for the International guest Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
How long does processing take?
For tourists, visas are good for about 20 to 25 days.
Work visas for Essential Skills are usually given out for up to 84 days.
