How do I lodge a visa application for a child adopted by a New Zealand resident?
Adopted children can apply for visitor visas to New Zealand for the purpose of being united with their adoptive parents. The visitor visa policy has three policy categories under which the adoptive children applications may be processed. These are v3.20 (Dependent Children of NZ citizens/residents), v3.25 (Children Entering NZ for Adoption), and v3.30 (Children adopted overseas before their New Zealand citizenship is confirmed).
The checklist for lodging an application on the basis of adoption by a New Zealand resident sets out the circumstances and processes for lodging a visa application for children adopted by a New Zealand resident.
What is TTS and what is its role?
TTS is a company responsible for carrying out some of Immigration New Zealand's administrative work, including:
- accepting all types of visa applications and ensuring all lodgement requirements are met
- accepting the processing fee on behalf of Immigration New Zealand
- accepting all mail directed to Immigration New Zealand
- despatch of mail from Immigration New Zealand, including despatch of passports.
More information about TTS offices.
How do I lodge an application for a visa?
To lodge an application for a visa, or to provide additional information in support of an existing application with Immigration New Zealand, you should contact your nearest TTS office. There are offices in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Please note that TTS offices are open from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Any application received by TTS in New Delhi by 3.00pm will reach Immigration New Zealand the same day. Applications from TTS outside New Delhi will reach Immigration New Zealand the following day.
Is it possible to visit an Immigration New Zealand officer personally?
Personal visits by applicants are by appointment only. If you need information on policy matters that you cannot find on this website, you can telephone us.
Can passports be collected in person?
Passports cannot be collected by applicants. TTS deals with the despatch of passports for Immigration New Zealand. TTS provides the airway bill number at the time of lodgement of application, which can be used to track your passport on the TTS website.
In exceptional cases, applicants should speak to an Immigration New Zealand officer to authorise personal collection.
What are the processing times for the different types of visa applications?
The average processing times for various application types are given below. However, these times may differ across individual applications and can be brought forward or pushed further back depending on risks perceived in individual applications.
Visitor visa applications
Positive profile applications – 72 hours
Non-positive profile visitor visa applications – eight weeks for allocation to a visa officer and a further six weeks for processing.
Work visa applications
Positive profile applications – 72 hours
Non-positive profile work visa applications – eight weeks for allocation to a visa officer and a further eight to 12 weeks for processing.
Student visa applications
Positive profile applications – 15 days
Other student visa applications – six to seven weeks for allocation and 12 to 15 weeks for processing.
Partnership applications
Partnership applications – two months for allocation to a visa officer and eight to 10 months for processing.
Family residence applications
For non-priority category family residence applications the allocation time is two years and a further nine to 12 months from the date of allocation
For priority category family residence applications the allocation time is four to six months and nine to 12 months for processing from date of allocation.
Skilled Migrant Category
Expression of Interest processing time – Four months for allocation to a visa officer and a further six to eight weeks for processing.
Skilled Migrant Category applications – Three months for allocation and six to nine months from date of allocation for processing.
What documents should I lodge with my visa application?
You can take a look at our checklists to find out what documents you need to provide.
Does Immigration New Zealand have a list of approved agents or consultants?
Immigration New Zealand does not have any approved agents or consultants. We accept applications directly from clients or through their authorised representatives.
How much money should I carry with me if I am travelling to New Zealand on a holiday?
You will need approximately NZ$1000 per person per month.
Where can I get my medical certificates completed?
Immigration New Zealand will only accept medical certificates completed by an Immigration New Zealand Please note that reports or certificates from a doctor not on the Immigration New Zealand list of panel doctors is not acceptable.
Can I find out the status of my Expression of Interest (EOI) online? Can changes be made to the EOI after submission and are there any additional charges?
Yes, EOI status can be obtained online. Changes can be made to the EOI online, or by contacting the Business Migration Branch. No additional fee is payable.
How can I apply for an extension to my visa?
You should travel to New Zealand within the period that your visa is valid. If you are unable to do so, you must lodge a new application along with the processing fee and all relevant information to obtain a new visa.
For holders of residence visas, if there are extenuating circumstances as a result of which you are unable to travel, contact Immigration New Zealand with all the details. We will decide on a case by case basis.
How can my sponsor support my application if he or she is outside New Zealand?
If a New Zealand resident/citizen is outside New Zealand at the time of sponsoring an application, he or she can complete the sponsorship form and send it, with the visa application and supporting documents, to establish his or her eligibility as a sponsor.
Is a confirmed ticket/return ticket required with an application for a visitor visa?
An original travel ticket does not need to be submitted along with the visa application. We would however need to sight the original ticket in case of a transit visa application.
What does outward passage/funds waived mean?
If your visa label states “Outward Passage Waived” or “Funds Waived”, you will not be required to show evidence of return journey or evidence of funds at the airport. However, if these are not waived you will be required to carry a return ticket and sufficient funds to meet the expenses of your visit to New Zealand.
What is the maximum duration of a visitor visa?
On a visitor visa the maximum permitted stay is nine months. The visa is normally valid for three months or, in some cases, up to six months. Business persons travelling to New Zealand frequently for business purposes may be issued with a multiple entry visitor visa valid for a maximum of three years.
Do I need to pay a different processing fee for a visitor visa that is valid for longer than the standard periods stated above?
If you are applying for a visitor visa that is valid for longer than the standard period, you won't have to pay an additional fee. Please note that the length of validity of the visa is at the discretion of the processing officer.
Is there a different fee charged for urgent processing of applications?
No additional fee is charged for urgent processing. If you need to have your application processed urgently contact an Immigration New Zealand officer.
My family and I have been issued visitor/residence visas together which are valid for the same period of time. Do we all need to travel at the same time?
No, the entire family does not need to travel at the same time. However, everyone needs to enter New Zealand before the validity of their visa expires.
What is a group visa?
A group visa is a single visa issued to a group of people travelling to New Zealand for the same purpose, who will be entering New Zealand together. The group members do not receive visa labels endorsed on their individual passports. The visa is instead pasted on the group visa form which contains the names of all the group members. Each member of the group will have their passport endorsed with a permit on arrival in New Zealand.
What is the minimum number of people required to lodge a group visa application?
Group sizes vary from five to fourteen members. If there are more than fourteen members, separate group visa forms need to submitted.
Do we need to complete the usual visa application forms for a group visa?
Yes, the normal visa application forms need to be completed along with the group visa form on which the label will be issued.
Is there a working holiday scheme for Indians?
No. There is currently no Indian working holiday scheme.
Do we need to pay for the return of our documents?
There are no additional charges for the return of documents. Documents are usually returned by courier or speed post, and in areas where there is no courier or speed post service, by registered mail.
Can visiting nationals of other countries lodge their applications for visas at the New Delhi office?
Other nationals visiting India, Bangladesh, Nepal or Bhutan can lodge an application for temporary entry visas at the nearest TTS office. The applications will be processed by the New Delhi office.
Who does not need a visa?
People from visa free countries are not required to obtain a visa to enter New Zealand.
When should I apply for the transfer of visa?
If your passport has a valid New Zealand visa and has expired, you must apply for your visa to be transferred from your old passport to your new passport. Please submit your old and new passport along with the current processing fee.
What are the provisions for taking a pet along?
If you want to bring a pet into New Zealand, you will need to comply with an animal health import health standard. This is a document that specifies the requirements that must be met before the animal is imported into New Zealand. More information.