New Zealand, the Land of Kiwis, has always been one of my dream destinations. As a sucker for scenic views, I’ve been eyeing to visit this wonderful country even before the pandemic. This island country is located in the southernwest Pacific Ocean and is divided into two main islands, the North Island and the South Island. Since New Zealand is a remote island, there is no doubt that there are a lot of untouched and undiscovered places that have yet to be discovered. Thus, this makes me badly want to visit New Zealand!
As a Filipino passport holder, apparently, you need to obtain a New Zealand tourist visa upon entering the country. With that, you need to apply first for a tourist visa before flying to New Zealand. In this blog post, I am going to provide a comprehensive guide on how to apply for a New Zealand tourist visa for Filipinos planning to visit New Zealand. This visa guide shall provide some insightful information and tips on how to do it yourself (DIY) and without the need to look for an agency or a third party to do it for you (which would definitely cost you a lot more!).
Table of Contents
How to Apply for a New Zealand Tourist Visa?
If you’re a Filipino or a Philippine passport holder, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a New Zealand tourist visa.
Determine your visa type.
Apparently, the reason why you’re on this page is probably because you’re planning to fly to New Zealand for tourism purposes only. Thus, you must have known for a fact that the visa that you’re going to apply for is the New Zealand tourist visa. Furthermore, the tourist visa does not permit you to work in New Zealand.
If you’re planning a different type of visit (for work, study, or long-term stay), make sure to apply for the appropriate visa type and make sure to check out the Immigration New Zealand website to check the requirements for these other types of visas.
Apply through an online application.
Okay. One best thing about applying for a New Zealand tourist visa is that it’s very convenient and everything can be done online! Yes. You don’t need to go to the visa center anymore just to get your visa. From visa processing to getting your approved visa, everything can be obtained through an online application only. So how does this work? Here’s how:
- Go to the New Zealand Immigration website.
- Then, from this website, you will need to sign up and create a real me account. After successfully creating your RealMe account, this will give you access to the New Zealand tourist visa online application.
- Upon having the account, this is where you apply and submit your tourist visa application, and you can also check your visa status, whether it is granted or denied.
- Take note that you need to provide all the relevant information being asked from the website and make sure to answer them correctly and accurately.
- In addition, this is also where you will upload all the necessary documents to support your tourist visa application.
Gather all the necessary documents.
This is the most important step that you need to be focusing on. Make sure to gather all the necessary documents to support your tourist visa application. If you think that this certain type of document can help you get your New Zealand tourist visa granted, then submit it. Just make sure that everything you upload or submit is relevant.
To apply for a New Zealand visitor visa, ensure you have the following documents:
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to your intended flight to New Zealand. Make sure to all provide a scanned copy of the biodata page of your passport.
- Visa Application Form: Complete the form online at the New Zealand Immigration website.
- Passport-sized Photo: Ensure the photo meets the size and background specifications.
- Proof of Financial Capacity: Show evidence that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay (e.g., bank statements, credit card statements, payslips).
- Travel Itinerary: Provide details of your planned trip, including flights, accommodation, and your daily activities.
- Proof of Ties to the Philippines: To prove you intend to return, present documents such as employment certificates, business permits, and properties (land, house, car).
Other supporting documents:
- Proof of good character
- Evidence of genuine intentions to visit New Zealand (a cover letter)
- Scanned copy of all previous travel stamps and visas
- Hotel reservation: Please note that confirmed booking accommodations are required.
- Income Tax Return
- Previous and current travel visas
- Confirmed flight booking
Please take note that before submitting and uploading all these documents, you followed the proper format of each document. When uploading the photo, make sure that it is in .jpeg formatted, and all the other files must be compressed into PDF files.
In the case of my NZ tourist visa application experience, these are the following documents that I have submitted (as a freelancer):
- Visa Application Form
- Passport-sized Photo
- Bank Certificate
- Bank Statement (for 6 months)
- Travel Itinerary
- Income Tax Return
- Business Registration
- Travel Photos of My Previous Solo Travels
- Previous and current visas (Chinese visa and Japan tourist visa)
- Previous passport stamps
- Confirmed hotel reservations (through Agoda)
- A photo of my driver’s license
As you can see, I have simplified all the documents that I gathered and submitted. I did not bother submitting a cover letter and confirmed flight booking (since I didn’t want to take so much risk on the visa application, haha). Nevertheless, if you want to add up a cover letter and a confirmed flight booking, then it’s fine. In the case of mine, I was a bit worried, but I’ve read from other forums and sites that a confirmed flight booking is not really necessary for your visa application.
Another tip: When creating your travel itinerary, make sure that all your daily activities can be supported by your financial documents. Make sure that everything that you’ll do is appropriate for your declared budget.
Submit and pay for your visa application.
Once you’re done and complete with all the required documents for your New Zealand tourist visa application, you can submit and upload them to the website. Make sure to double check everything before submitting your application. To be honest, I had also been contemplating whether to push this application or not. Haha. But, glad I did.
In my case, it took me a week before finally submitting my visa application because I wanted to make sure that I filled out the form correctly and accurately and submitted only the relevant documents to support my tourist visa application. If your trip to New Zealand is still a few months away, there’s no rush in submitting your application. Always double check or triple check everything.
After that, prepare your card and card information for the payment processing. To complete your visa application, you need to pay for the visa fee. On the other hand, if you’re planning to stay in New Zealand for less than 59 days, your visa fee is waived, yet you still need to pay NZD$35 for the International Visitor Levy Fee. This is to help invest in the country’s sustainable tourism growth.
In my case, I paid for NZD$246 (around PHP 8,000) and was granted a multiple tourist visa, which is valid for one year. This includes the application fee, immigration levy fee, and the international visitor levy fee. On another note, I must say that applying for a New Zealand tourist visa is a bit more pricey than applying for an Australian tourist visa.
Wait for Visa Processing
The visa processing time usually takes twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) working days, or more, but may vary depending on the time of your application and circumstances. You can check your application status through your online account.
Based on my experience, it only took me four (4) working days to receive my granted visa. To be honest, I did not really expect that to be that fast and wasn’t really expecting that my New Zealand tourist visa would be granted. But thank you, Lord!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Filipinos need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Yes. Philippine passport holders or Filipinos must obtain or apply for a New Zealand tourist visa or visitor visa.
How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand tourist visa?
According to Immigration New Zealand’s website, a visitor must have at least NZD$1,000 per month or at least NZD$400 per month (approximately 14,000 Php) if accommodations have already been booked.
How much is the visa fee for New Zealand from the Philippines?
The New Zealand tourist visa fee is free if you’re staying for less than 59 days, yet you need to pay for the International Tourist Levy Fee that costs NZD$35. If more than 59 days, you need to pay NZD$246, including the application fee, the immigration levy fee, and the international visitor levy fee.
How long is the tourist visa for New Zealand from the Philippines?
If a New Zealand tourist visa is granted, you can stay up to two months. You can also stay in New Zealand for up to six months if a multiple visa is granted. Make sure to double check your visa conditions.
Is it easy to apply for a New Zealand tourist visa for Filipinos?
Based on experience, I could say it is way easier applying for a New Zealand tourist visa than any other tourist visa. More so, it is totally direct and convenient because everything can be done online. No need for a physical appearance.
New Zealand is surely a dream travel destination for Filipinos. If you’re wondering about how you can apply for a New Zealand tourist visa, I hope that this visa guide helps! Good luck on your visa application!
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Hey, my name is Ara Patria—a solo female traveler who is in her quest of traveling the world. I write and learn about life through the lenses of my camera, personal experiences, and adventures. Join me as I unravel the mystery of life through exploring the wanders of the world.
