New Zealand•OceaniaBusiness Visitor Visa
At a Glance
2 weeks
NZD $341
3 months
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Short-stay temporary visa for non-visa-waiver business visitors attending meetings, negotiations, or site inspections in New Zealand for up to 3 months.
New Zealand's Business Visitor Visa, issued by Immigration New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009, is a short-stay temporary visa for people attending meetings, negotiating contracts, or consulting on the set-up, expansion, or wind-up of a NZ business. Holders must remain paid by an overseas entity and cannot work for a NZ employer.
The visa permits up to 3 months stay in any 12-month period and costs NZD $341, with 80% of applications decided within 4 days. Applicants must show NZD $1,000/month in funds (or NZD $400 if accommodation is prepaid), an employer or NZ-business invitation letter, good health and character, and plans to depart. Partners and dependents under 20 may be included.
This visa is ideal for executives, consultants, or technical experts from non-visa-waiver countries making short, employer-funded trips to NZ for meetings, negotiations, or site inspections.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 3 months |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Valid passport for 3+ months
Good health and character
Genuine business intentions
Financial capacity (NZD $1,000/month or $400/month with paid accommodation)
Evidence of departure plans
Letter from employer or NZ business partner confirming visit purpose
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Savings
12,000 NZD
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Passport-sized photo(s)
Letter of invitation from a New Zealand-based company or business partner
Letter from current employer confirming the purpose of the trip
Detailed schedule of planned business activities
Evidence of financial support (e.g., bank statements)
Evidence of return travel
Medical/character certificates (if required)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Fast turnaround: 80% of applications decided within 4 days
- Affordable NZD $341 single application fee
- Includes partner and dependent children under 20 in one application
- No NZ job offer or sponsorship required when self-funded
- Online application takes under 15 minutes once documents are ready
- Up to 3 months stay sufficient for most business engagements
Worth Knowing
- Cannot be paid by a NZ source — must remain employed and paid by an overseas entity
- Capped at 3 months in any 12-month period; longer stays require a work visa
- Activities limited to meetings, consultations, negotiations, exploring opportunities — no operational work
- Visa-waiver country nationals should use the cheaper NZeTA instead
- Single-entry by default; multiple-entry not guaranteed
- Visiting for paid work, training, performing, or events — these require a work visa
- Intending to stay longer than 3 months in any 12-month window
- Unable to evidence NZD $1,000/month in funds or employer/sponsor support
Application Process
Check qualification
confirm you are not from a visa-waiver country (those use NZeTA) and your visit is under 3 months for acceptable business reasons
Gather employer/business invitation
letter from your overseas employer or the NZ company confirming employment and purpose of visit
Prepare financial evidence
bank statements or accommodation pre-payment showing NZD $1,000/month (or NZD $400/month if prepaid)
Create a RealMe account at immigration.govt.nz to apply online
Complete the online Visitor Visa application (INZ 1017) — typically under 15 minutes once documents are prepared
Pay the NZD $341 application fee by Mastercard, Visa, or UnionPay
Provide health and character information; submit chest X-ray, medical, or police certificates only if requested
Await decision — 80% of applications are decided within 4 days
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Business visas in other countries
- Visitor's Entry Permit
Micronesia
- Business Visit Visa
Singapore
- eVisa - GCC Resident (30 Days)
United Arab Emirates
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