New Zealand is a one of a kind destination with glaciers, fjords, geo thermals, green landscape and more. It will blow your mind in many ways so hope you get to experience this wonderful country.
My visa Experience
I submitted the visa application online on a Sunday afternoon and when I woke on Tuesday morning, I checked email that came in at odd hours that my visa was approved. So it look a little more than a day. I was super excited. I have a strong travel history and also I reside in United States. So those could be a major factor for such speedy delivery of my visa. But my friends who reside in US got it in a week. Some friends who applied from India also got it in 1 to 2 weeks once the documents are properly submitted.
Step 1 – Create an account
- First create a RealMe account by visiting https://apply.immigration.govt.nz/
- Create an application by going to MY VISAS and create Apply for Visa and answer the following questions to apply for General Visitor Visa by clicking
- Click on Continue next to Principal application and fill the application
Step 2 – Fill the application
- Identity Details
- Just need to fill details like passport number and expiry and upload digital photo. Click here for photo requirements.
- National identity number is the Aadhar card number for Indian passport holders.
- Purpose of Visit
- Arrive dates as close to the real dates
- Character
- Fill criminal history questions with answers
- Health
- Fill your health related questions with answers
- Employment history
- If working, fill your company’s name and other details
- Relationships
- Fill your relationship status. You can add your spouse and children in the same application. Need to add them as extra applicants.
- Immigration Assistance
- One question on if you are completing the form for someone else. Mostly its “NO” in this case even if you are filling for your spouse or children.
Step 3 – Upload the supporting documents
- Passport
- Aadhar card for National Identification Card
- Household registration – Home documents like lease or utility bill or any document that shows that you proves where you live.
- Travel Itinerary – sample is in next section
- Proof of Employment or leave approval letter from the current job. You can also submit employment verification letter.
- Proof of Funds – 1000NZ$ per person per month and flight ticket cost. Upload bank statements with enough funds in the bank account. Say you are planning a 10 day trip, according to the website it is 350NZ$ per person and include flight cost say 2000NZ$. But I would recommend 100NZ$ per day for food and 150NZ$ per day for stay. So total 5000NZ$ for a 10 day trip. More funds the better.
- Review and Declare by going through every step and make sure all the details are correct before you submit
- For additional applicants, you can add your spouse and children. Marriage Certificate as proof of family for your spouse. Birth certificate or any other document as proof of family member for your children
- Pay the fee online using credit card. Visa fee for two people was 281 NZ dollars as of January 2024
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Auckland Airport
Day 2 – Visit Hobbit Tour and Rotorua
Day 3 – Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and Lake Taupo
Day 4 – Fly to Queenstown and Visit Lake Wakatipu
Day 5 – Drive to Milford Sound and Milford Sound Cruise
Day 6 – Drive to Queenstown and visit Glenorchy
Day 7 – Wanaka. Visit Lake, Lavender farm
Day 8 – Lake Pukaki and Lake Takepo for lupines
Day 9 – Visit Mt Cook and Tasman Lake
Day 10 – Fly out from Queenstown Airport
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