Planning a trip to New Zealand may entail getting a visa. There are 60 nationalities who are visa exempt if they want to spend 3 months or less (6 months or less for British nationals) in New Zealand. The rest of them, on the other hand, must apply for a visa. Now, you are wondering what options you have if you are not from a visa waiver country.
Why are you going to New Zealand?
The first relevant question is why you want to go to New Zealand. The purpose will determine the type of visa you need to apply for. If you wish to go there on vacation, then you need to apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa. Lucky for you, you can apply online with iVisa. The process is entirely online, and the application process is straightforward. At the same time, if you are looking for work, you need a work visa.
While you can study for 3 months on a Visitor Visa, you need to apply for a student visa if you want to go to University in New Zealand. The visa is valid for the same time period as your course. You can apply for a holiday work visa too if you are interested in just a few months of work. Lastly, if you want to live in New Zealand for good, you need a Resident visa.
As you can imagine, the requirements are different for each type of New Zealand visa, which is why you need to establish a purpose right from the start. Do not think you can go to New Zealand on a Visitor Visa and apply for a job. Nobody will hire you, and illegal work will get you deported.
Application type
If you are not from a visa waiver country, you can [apply for a New Zealand v/new-zealand/visitor-visa) using one of the two ways. You can either go to the nearest embassy, or you can apply online.
The first option loses popularity more and more. That is because you actually have to go to an embassy and follow the steps. Before making the trip, make sure that you give them a call and ask about the requirements. Internet information is not always the most reliable. The process is tedious, and it involves a lot of effort. And even if it did not, why do it when you have a much simpler way?
The easiest way to get a New Zealand visa is to apply online. Of course, you cannot apply online for all types, but for a vacation, the online application process is perfect. You do not have to go anywhere, the requirements are simple, and you can have your visa in just a couple of days. It arrives via e-mail in PDF format. All you have to do is print it out.
So, the information you see above is pretty much covering your New Zealand visa options. Of course, the subject is a complex one, but at least now you know what to look for. Yet, one thing is certain. If you can, you should always apply online. We have come a long way since embassies were the only way to apply for a visa. And why chose a complicated and time-consuming procedure when you have a simpler one at your disposal? After all, you get the same thing in the end.