How to Apply for NZ Visitor Visa from India: Step-by-Step

Complete application process — online portal, documents, biometrics, and tracking

Important Note on Documentation: Holding a valid visa for the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, or Schengen area does not waive mandatory financial, employment, or genuine temporary entry requirements under INZ Operational Manual instructions (E4). Full supporting documentation remains mandatory for all applicants.

New Zealand Visitor Visa Application Process for Indian Nationals

Indian citizens need a valid visitor visa to enter New Zealand. All applications are submitted online through the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) portal. Applying online is the standard route, and the process can usually be completed digitally.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before applying, confirm you meet the NZ visitor visa eligibility requirements: valid passport (at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave New Zealand), sufficient funds (NZD 1,000 per month or NZD 400 if accommodation is pre-paid), genuine tourist or family visit purpose, and a clear intention to return to India.

Step 2: Create an INZ Account

Go to the Immigration New Zealand website and create an RealMe account or sign in with RealMe. RealMe is New Zealand's official digital identity system. Once logged in, you can access the online visa application (Visa Online).

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

Fill in the application form (INZ 1188 is completed online). You'll need to provide: personal details, passport information, travel history for the past 10 years, employment/education history, any criminal history, and the purpose and duration of your visit.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload all required documents from the NZ visitor visa checklist: passport bio page, bank statements (last 3 months), return flight itinerary, hotel bookings or invitation letter, proof of employment (leave letter + salary slips), ITR or payslips, and travel insurance. Documents must be in PDF or JPEG format.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee & IVL Levy

The total government charge at lodgement is NZD $541 per adult applicant, comprising the base visitor visa charge of NZD $441 plus the mandatory International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100 (effective October 2024). Payment is made securely by debit/credit card during the online RealMe application. Government fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome. Any subsequent VFS Global biometrics capture fee is paid separately if biometrics are requested.

Step 6: Biometrics

After submitting your online application and fee, INZ may request biometrics (fingerprints and a digital photo). You'll be directed to a VFS Global centre in India to complete this. Biometric capture typically costs an additional fee of approximately ₹2,500.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision

Standard processing takes 15–25 working days for straightforward applications. Complex cases or those requiring additional information may take longer. Check your application status on the INZ portal using your application reference number.

Step 8: Receive Your Visa

If approved, your visa is issued electronically and linked to your passport. There is no physical sticker — immigration officers check your visa through their system when you arrive. You will receive an email confirmation with your eVisa label to print and carry with your travel documents.

Common Reasons Applications Are Refused

Insufficient funds, vague travel purpose, no ties to home country, and previous visa refusals are the most common causes. Read the NZ visitor visa refusal reasons guide to know what to avoid. For an invitation letter from a NZ-based host, see our invitation letter guide. To see how real files were prepared step by step, browse our New Zealand visitor visa case evidence, such as the salaried tourism case.