New Zealand Visitor Visa for citizens of Afghanistan: Apply now!

Are you an Afghan citizen aspiring to discover the enchanting landscapes of New Zealand and seeking guidance for the visa application process? Let us assist you in obtaining your New Zealand Visitor Visa from Afghanistan.

At iVisa, we're committed to making the visa application process simple and stress-free. Our user-friendly application form, seasoned assistance, and handy mobile app make securing your New Zealand visa as easy as pie.

This guide outlines all you need to know about our uncomplicated approach to securing a New Zealand Visitor Visa from Afghanistan.

Do citizens of Afghanistan need a Visitor Visa for New Zealand?

The New Zealand government requires Afghan nationals, along with many other foreign passport holders, to possess a valid visa before setting foot in New Zealand. This document permits them to legally enter, traverse, and remain in New Zealand for a defined period.

Applying for a visa underscores the significance of grasping the New Zealand tourist visa requirements and completing the application precisely. We're here to simplify this process and assist you in promptly securing your New Zealand Visitor Visa.

Note: Afghan nationals who assisted the New Zealand Defence Force or other government agencies may be considered for resettlement in New Zealand.

What is the New Zealand Visitor Visa for citizens of Afghanistan?

The New Zealand Visitor Visa is a compulsory travel document issued by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Afghans wishing to visit New Zealand. It allows you to holiday, visit renowned landmarks, engage in leisure activities, meet with friends or family, or pursue short-term studies in New Zealand.

This visa doesn't enable you to work in New Zealand - it's strictly for visiting. If you plan to work during your stay, you must apply for a work visa, and international students intending to study long-term in the country must apply for a student visa.

How long is the New Zealand Visa for Afghanistan citizens valid?

When you apply for a New Zealand tourist visa with us, we offer a Multiple entry visa valid for one and a half years. Afghan passport holders with a New Zealand Visitor Visa can stay for up to nine months in an 18-month period.

But remember, it's up to the immigration officer if they want to give you a visa that lets you enter multiple times or just once.

Am I eligible for a New Zealand Visitor Visa from Afghanistan?

To qualify for a New Zealand Visitor Visa from Afghanistan, you generally need to fulfill the following conditions:

1. Good health: You might need to present medical and chest x-ray certificates to demonstrate good health.

2. Good character: You may be asked for police certificates to prove that you're of good character, particularly if you're planning to stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months.

3. Genuine intentions: You need to show that your visit is for a genuine temporary purpose and that you intend to leave after your stay. This could be evidenced by things like proof of further travel or a job back home.

4. Financial means: You must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself during your visit or that someone else will cover your expenses. Bank statements, payslips, or an employment contract can show this.

5. Passport: You need a valid passport that won't expire for at least three months after your planned departure date from New Zealand.

However, if you hold an Australian permanent resident visa, Resident Return Visa or are a citizen of a country eligible for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), you won't need to apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa. Instead, you must apply for the New Zealand ETA. If you need help figuring out what you need, try our visa checker tool.

New Zealand Visitor Visa requirements in Afghanistan

Afghan nationals applying for a New Zealand Visitor Visa must familiarize themselves with the stipulations necessary to obtain this travel permit. These conditions ensure that all visitors conform to New Zealand's standards regarding health, character, and travel intentions.

Let's explore the specifics of these requirements, including overall documentation needs and unique provisions for dependent children, passport, and photograph guidelines below.

Necessary documents for the New Zealand Visitor Visa for Afghans

To apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa, you'll need to prepare the following documents:

• A passport photo: A recent and clear headshot.

• Passport scan

• Travel itinerary: Details of your travel plans, such as a confirmed ticket or proof that you can afford one.

• Cover letter: A letter explaining the purpose of your visit.

• Business license: If your visit is for business purposes, you must provide a copy of your business license.

• Proof of sufficient funds: You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Provide proof of this with bank statements, pay slips, or a letter from someone sponsoring your trip. You'll also be asked to provide work-related information to show your ties to Afghanistan.

• Health and character certificates: Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide medical certificates and a police certificate to prove you meet New Zealand's health and character requirements.

Declarations you'll need to make during the application

To complete your application, you'll need to answer the following questions:

1. Have you ever been convicted at any time of any offense, including any driving offense?

2. Are you currently under investigation, wanted for questioning, or facing charges for any offense in any country, including New Zealand?

3. Have you ever been expelled, deported, excluded, removed from, or refused entry to any country?

4. Have you ever been refused a visa or permit by any country, excluding New Zealand?

5. Is military service mandatory in your home country?

6. Did you serve in the military in any country?

7. How were you exempt from military service?

New Zealand Visa requirements for children in Afghanistan

When applying for a New Zealand visitor visa for children, you'll need the following supporting documents in addition to the standard requirements:

• Parental consent: A consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s) may be required if the child travels alone or with one parent.

• Birth certificates: Each child's birth certificate must prove the relationship to parents or legal guardians.

Remember, we allow you to apply for yourself and your family members at once, making the process much more manageable.

New Zealand Visitor Visa passport requirements

The New Zealand Visitor Visa requires specific passport-related criteria to be met by Afghan citizens:

• Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from New Zealand. It's recommended to have a longer validity to account for any unforeseen changes in travel plans.

• Blank visa pages: While New Zealand typically issues electronic visas, having at least one blank page for any entry or exit stamps needed during travel is still a good idea.

• Passport scan: You must provide a clear scan of your passport bio-data page (the page with your photo, name, passport number, and other details). This scan must be clear and legible.

Remember, keeping your passport safe during travel is essential. We also advise having extra copies of the passport bio-data page just in case the original document is lost or stolen.

New Zealand Visitor Visa photo requirements

When applying for a New Zealand Visitor Visa, your photo must meet the following requirements:

• Size: Your photo should measure 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height.

• Quality: The photo should be in color, high resolution, and printed on quality photo paper.

• Background: The photo should have a plain, light-colored background (white, off-white) with no patterns or objects.

• Expression: You should maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open and visible. Your mouth should be closed.

• Head position: Your head should be centered and facing straight at the camera. Both sides of your face should be visible.

• Glasses and headgear: Unless they're for religious or medical reasons, glasses, hats, and other headgear should be avoided. If you need to wear glasses, they shouldn't have tinted lenses or frames that obscure your eyes.

• Recent photo: Your photo should be recent, typically taken within the last six months, to reflect your current appearance.

Remember, a proper photo is crucial for the visa application process, and any discrepancies can lead to delays or rejection of your visa application. Use our passport photo service to get updated, government-compliant photos from the comfort of your home.

New Zealand Visitor Visa application for citizens of Afghanistan

To apply for the New Zealand Visitor Visa online, simply follow these three steps:

• Step 1: Complete our simplified visa application form with your passport details and travel information.

• Step 2: Pay the visa application fee with a credit or debit card, PayPal, Venmo, or Amazon Pay.

After payment, you'll receive a complete PDF guide explaining how to complete the rest of the application form.

• Step 3: Upload all the required documents, fill out all the extra information, and answer the declaration questions.

Once you submit your application to us, our iVisa Experts will thoroughly check all the documents and information you provided before submitting it to the government.

Suppose you're requested to attend a medical examination or biometrics appointment. In that case, we'll email you to guide you on how to make the appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and what you'll need.

If you aren't required to attend an interview, simply sit back and relax. You can track your visa status through our mobile app or website.

How to prepare for the New Zealand Visitor Visa interview?

While most New Zealand Visitor Visa applications don't involve an interview at the New Zealand Embassy, there are instances where immigration authorities might require one. If you're invited to an interview, here's how you can equip yourself:

• Comprehend your application: Go through your visa application in detail. Be prepared to articulate the purpose of your visit, your itinerary, and what you plan to do after returning to Afghanistan.

• Collect your documents: Ensure all documents pertinent to your visa application are readily available. These may include your passport, bank statements, employment letter, hotel reservation, and travel itinerary.

• Prepare for potential questions: Although the questions can change, common ones pertain to your travel plans, financial situation, and connections to your homeland. Practice responding to these questions confidently and truthfully.

• Maintain honesty and consistency: Always adhere to the truth. Consistency in your responses is essential; inconsistencies can lead to your application being denied.

• Maintain calmness and professionalism: Approach the interview with assurance. Be courteous, keep eye contact, and don't hesitate to request clarification if you don't comprehend a question.

• Dress suitably: While there isn't a formal dress requirement, dressing neatly and professionally can create a positive impression.

Remember that an interview doesn't guarantee you'll be granted a visa. Still, it provides an opportunity to give more context about your plans and reassure the officer that you intend to respect the visa stipulations.

Cost of the New Zealand Visitor Visa for citizens of Afghanistan

We offer standard processing at USD $721.99. You must also pay the government visa fee of USD $282.00. When you apply with us, we allow you to make one total payment of USD $1,003.99 to save you time.

During the application process on our site, you can add services such as an iVisa Plus subscription, Premium Concierge Service, Embassy Registration, or Premium Photo Services.

We also offer iVisa Fee Protection, which allows us to process a new application for no additional processing fee if you're unable to make your trip, as well as the option to get a flight reservation or itinerary that is valid for two weeks and can be used to apply for a visa, as proof of return to show to immigration officers while traveling, for car rental purposes, etc.

All these additional services carry varying costs. Use our application form to check your application's total cost based on your circumstances.

What is the New Zealand Visitor Visa processing time in 2023?

Our standard processing time is 30 days. Within this period, we'll handle your application, ask for any additional details, and ensure everything is in order before submitting it to the government. This time frame doesn't account for the time the government takes to process the visa or the time it may take to schedule an interview or biometric appointment if requested.

The government generally takes about 48 days to process New Zealand Visitor Visas (in 90% of cases). However, this isn't a certainty, as processing times can fluctuate due to various factors.

We advise you to apply at least two months before your planned travel to allow sufficient time to process your application.

My New Zealand Visitor Visa was denied. What should I do?

If your New Zealand Visitor Visa application was denied, we can help you figure out what to do next.

1. Understand the reason for denial: The denial letter you received from the New Zealand immigration authorities will explain the reasons for your visa denial. Understanding these reasons can help you address these issues in your subsequent applications.

2. Seek advice: If you need clarification on why your visa was denied or how to proceed, you may find it helpful to seek advice from our iVisa Experts. Our team at iVisa can provide guidance based on our extensive experience with visa applications and denials.

3. Consider an appeal or review: If you believe your application was unjustly denied, in some cases, you may have the option to appeal or request a review of the decision. The process for this varies, and it's recommended to get legal advice before proceeding.

4. Consider reapplying: If the issues that led to your visa denial can be addressed, consider reapplying. Correct any errors or omissions in your new application and provide additional documentation to support your case.

Remember, visa denial isn't necessarily a dead end. You can explore other options with the correct information and assistance and plan your next steps accordingly. Let us help you!

Benefits of getting your New Zealand Visitor Visa with us

Applying for a visa can be intimidating, so we've simplified the process. Here are some of the benefits of getting your New Zealand Visitor Visa with us:

• 100% government compliance: Your application will be thoroughly reviewed by our iVisa Experts to ensure it meets all the government criteria.

• Access to an iVisa Expert: You'll be assigned a dedicated iVisa Expert to guide you through the process.

• Streamlined form: Our application form is 50% shorter than the government's, and you only need to provide relevant information.

• Flexible process: Fill out the form at your own pace and save your progress to return to it later.

• Comprehensive step-by-step guide: We provide a PDF manual with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips for a successful process. We strive to ensure a seamless visa application process. Don't wait any longer; start your application today!

Need more information?

If you have another question about the New Zealand Visitor Visa or other travel documents, let our expert customer service team know via online chat or email at [email protected].