New Zealand Visa Status Check with Passport Number

Are you planning a trip to the stunning landscapes of New Zealand? Or perhaps you're considering a longer stay for work or study? Whatever your reason for wanting to visit this beautiful country, one of the first steps is checking your New Zealand visa status.

And guess what? You can now check your visa status with your passport number!

In this blog post, we'll guide you through the simple process of verifying your visa application status online, ensuring a smooth journey to the land of Kiwis and breathtaking adventures. So, let's get started and make your New Zealand dream a reality!

Importance of visa status checking

Checking your visa status is a crucial step when planning to travel to New Zealand or when you're already in the country. It ensures that you comply with New Zealand's immigration laws and regulations, which are essential for a hassle-free and legally sound visit.

When checking your visa status, you may find some codes that show the current stage of your visa application. It might be a bit confusing at first, so let’s take a look at this brief rundown:

• Application received: It means your application has been received, and it’ll undergo an initial review by the corresponding visa application center.

• Document verification: Immigration New Zealand will review your application and the supporting documents you've submitted. The visa application center will check for completeness and accuracy.

• Biometrics and interviews: You may be required to provide biometric data, attend an interview, or provide additional information to support your visa application.

• Visa approved: This status confirms that your New Zealand Visa has been approved. You can now move forward with your travel preparations.

• Visa rejected: This status indicates that your New Zealand Visa wasn’t successful. You might receive the denial reasons in a separate notice, and you might be able to re-apply or appeal for your visa online (depending on the type of visa).

Please remember to ensure first if you do need a New Zealand Visa to enter this country. The best way to know that is to simply check with the embassy or, even better, to use our online visa checker tool.

Depending on your nationality, you may need a New Zealand ETA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and not a visa. The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is much easier to obtain than traditional visas since you can apply for it completely online without an interview or visiting an embassy.

Online platforms for visa status inquiry: New Zealand's official resources

If you’ve applied for a New Zealand Visa recently, you’ll need to register on the official New Zealand Visa Website | Immigration New Zealand to check your visa application status online.

Keep in mind you’ll need additional information, including the type of visa, to ensure you obtain the correct visa update.

To make things a lot easier, the New Zealand government launched an online app called Realme, which allows you to check your visa conditions anytime and anywhere.

All you need to check your visa online is to create a Realme account and follow the corresponding instructions. It’s a lot easier than calling the embassy to receive information about your visa.

Moreover, RealMe can be handy to obtain quick updates on the NZ visa validity and other visa conditions.

Step-by-step guide: Checking visa status with your passport number

Your NZ visa status will always be available through the official website to check whenever you wish. You can check your visa status on the immigration website for both online and in-person applications.

Another option is to use our website. When you apply with us we only ask you to offer basic information to find out your visa status, such as name and passport number.

Check your visa status with RealMe

Here’s how you can check your visa status with your passport number using Realme (the New Zealand Government’s website):

• Step 1: Log in to Immigration Online using your RealMe® account. You can create a new account if you don’t have one. You’ll only need your passport number to register your passport details, but once your account is ready, you won’t need the number again.

• Step 2: Go to the ‘My Visas’ tab to ensure the application was already submitted.

• Step 3: Go to the ‘Submitted applications’ section and check the ‘status’ column.

• Step 4: Check your visa status.

You can also obtain more information on the progress of your visa application status by choosing the ‘view application progress’ link.

Check your visa status with iVisa

If you applied for your NZ Visa with us, you’ll only have to follow these steps to know your status:

• Step 1: Login to your account

• Step 2: Find your order and click on ‘view status.’

• Step 3: Check the status.

It’s as easy as it seems! You’ll only need your account info to enter the website or the iVisa app to get started.

Please notice that the most common statuses on our platform are:

• Application in Review / In Progress

• Actions Needed / Incomplete

• Waiting on Government

• Scheduling Appointment

• Complete

Understanding visa categories in New Zealand: Immigrant and nonimmigrant

New Zealand offers different visa categories depending on your travel purposes. Be sure to check the requirements before starting your travel plans so you can apply for the right visa.

Depending on your nationality, you might need a New Zealand Visitor Visa. Answer the questions below to see if you’re eligible for it.

Immigrant visas include:

• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): You can apply for this visa if you have the skills and qualifications in demand in New Zealand.

• Straight to Residence Visa: This visa is available if you currently work, or you have a job offer, from an accredited employer, and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List in-demand.

• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa: You can apply for this visa if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer and you have worked in a care workforce role for at least 24 months.

• Transport Work to Residence Visa: You’re eligible for this visa if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer and have worked in the country for 24 months in a transport role.

• Family Category: Allows family reunification for New Zealand citizens and residents. This category includes Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa, Parent Resident Visa, Dependent Child Resident Visa, Intercountry Adoption Resident Visa, and Parent Retirement Resident Visa.

• Refugee Family Support Category: This category was created for refugees to be reunited with their family members.

• Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa: If you’ve worked in New Zealand for more than 2 years while holding a Long Term Skill Shortage Work Visa, you may be eligible for a residence visa.

• Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa: This visa is another resident option if you’ve worked in New Zealand for an accredited employer for more than 2 years.

It also works if you hold a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa and have been employed in New Zealand by an accredited employer for more than 2 years, you may also be eligible.

• Entrepreneur Resident Visa: This visa is for people who have been self-employed in their New Zealand-based business for a minimum of 6 months or have managed a business for two years under another visa permitting self-employment.

If approved, you’ll have the opportunity to maintain both your residence and business operations in New Zealand permanently.

• Samoan Quota Resident Visa: Each year, NZ authorities invite Samoan citizens to register for a ballot that, if drawn, may result in an invitation to apply for New Zealand residence.

• Pacific Access Category Resident Visa: Similar to the previous visa, New Zealander authorities invite people from Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga to register for a ballot that, if drawn, allows you to apply to live in New Zealand.

• Second or Subsequent Resident Visa: If you want to return to New Zealand to live but your New Zealand Resident Visa has expired, you apply for a Second or Subsequent Resident Visa.

• Permanent Resident Visa: You can apply for this visa if you have had a residence visa for more than 2 years.

• Religious Worker Resident Visa: Religious workers who’ve been doing religious work in New Zealand on a valid Religious Worker Work Visa for the last 3 years may be eligible for this resident visa.

• Active Investor Plus Visa: You can apply for this visa if you want to live, work and invest in New Zealand. However, you must have at least NZD 15 million or the weighted equivalent in available assets or funds.

• Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Resident Visa: If you have a Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa, have been actively engaged in your declared field of talent in New Zealand for 2 years, and remain prominent in this field, you may be eligible for this residence visa.

• Australian Resident Visa: Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work, and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.

• Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa: This visa helps victims of family violence. You can apply for this visa if you are the partner of a New Zealand citizen or residence-class visa holder and have experienced family violence.

• Trafficking Victim Resident Visa: You can be granted this visa if you are in New Zealand and hold a trafficking victim work, student, or visitor visa.

• Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa: This visa can help employees who are integral to the success of the business they work for, who aren’t eligible for any other kind of resident visa, relocate to New Zealand.

• Pitcairn Islander Resident Visa: Pitcairn Islanders can apply for a resident visa if they have been offered skilled employment by an accredited employer in New Zealand.

• Refugee Family Support Resident Visa: If you have a family member who was granted New Zealand residence because they were a refugee or protected person, they may sponsor your application for New Zealand residence.

• South Island Contribution Resident Visa: If you have been employed in the South Island for 2 years since being granted a South Island Contribution Work Visa you may be eligible for this visa.

As for nonimmigrant visas, New Zealand offers the following:

• New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority: Some travelers can use an NZeTA to travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first. This depends on your passport, how you are traveling, and if you’re visiting or only transiting.

• Visitor Visas: This is the most popular visa. It was designed for short-term stays, including tourism, visiting family, or business purposes.

• Working Holiday Visa: Allows young people from specific countries to work and travel in New Zealand for a limited period.

• Specific Purpose Work Visa: For people with a specific, temporary purpose for their visit, such as event participation or religious work.

Legal aspects of visa status checking: Your rights and responsibilities

Understanding the legal aspects of checking your visa is essential to ensure a successful process. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Rights

• Privacy Rights: Visa status is sensitive information. You have the right to privacy, and disclosure of this information is often regulated by data protection laws.

• Access to personal information: As a traveler, you have the right to access your visa status information. Governments usually provide mechanisms for people who wish to inquire about their status.

• Non-discrimination: It’s a right to be treated fairly and without discrimination based on visa status. Anti-discrimination laws protect travelers from unfair treatment.

Responsibilities

• Compliance: As a visa holder, you must adhere to the conditions of your visa. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences, including visa cancellation or deportation.

• Documentation: Keeping visa documents up-to-date and readily available is another important responsibility. Authorities may request proof of visa status at any time.

• Notification of changes: You must notify relevant authorities of any changes affecting your visa status, such as a change of address or employment.

• Cooperation with authorities: Cooperation with immigration and law enforcement authorities is essential. You must provide accurate information when requested.

Common challenges: Troubleshooting tips

When applying for your NZ Visa or checking its status, you may encounter some issues. Understanding how to solve these problems can save you a lot of stress.

• Incorrect Passport Number: Double-check and ensure you enter the correct passport number. Verify the digits and letters, and avoid typos.

• System Glitches or Downtime: If the online system is experiencing issues, try again after a while. You can also contact customer service for more help.

• Expired Visa: If your visa has expired, consider the appropriate renewal process. Contact the corresponding authorities for guidance and avoid unnecessary delays.

• Name Discrepancies: Ensure that the name on your visa application matches the one on your passport.

• Lost or stolen passport: Report a lost or stolen passport immediately. Obtain a new one and inform the immigration office to update your records.

• Data protection concerns: Be cautious when sharing personal details online. Use secure and official platforms like iVisa for status checks.

• Technical issues: Try using a different device or browser to access the visa status check portal. Clear cookies and cache if needed.

• Documentation confirmation: Ensure that you have the necessary documentation for the visa application. Follow up with the immigration office to confirm the completeness of your file.

Do you need more information?

If you have any questions about checking your NZ visa status through our website, please contact our customer service team who’s ready to help you, or email us at [email protected].