New Zealand•OceaniaVisiting Media Visitor Visa
At a Glance
1 month
NZD $441
1 month
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Short-stay visa for journalists, broadcasters, and trade-media correspondents invited to Tourism New Zealand's Visiting Media Programme.
The Visiting Media Visitor Visa is a niche Immigration New Zealand category for participants in Tourism New Zealand's Visiting Media Programme. It lets accredited journalists, broadcasters, and trade-media correspondents enter NZ to produce content promoting the country's tourism and trade. Each applicant must hold an invitation from Tourism NZ or an NZTE letter of introduction.
The visa costs NZD 441, allows a 1-month stay, and is decided within 5 weeks for 80% of applicants. Holders may do media work tied to the invitation and work remotely for overseas employers. Funds of NZD 1,000 per month (or NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid) or a sponsor are required. Partners and children 19 and under can be included; the visa is not renewable and has no PR pathway.
This visa is ideal for a credentialed travel journalist or documentary crew member with a confirmed Tourism NZ or NZTE invitation needing short, sanctioned media access to New Zealand.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 1 month |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a participant in Tourism New Zealand's Visiting Media Programme.
Must hold an invitation from Tourism New Zealand or a letter of introduction from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Must have at least NZD 1,000 per month in funds (or NZD 400 per month if accommodation is prepaid), or an acceptable sponsor.
Must intend to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
Must be in good health (chest X-ray or medical exam may be required) and of good character.
Must provide proof of identity, including a passport valid for at least 3 months after intended departure.
Must have a ticket to leave New Zealand, enough funds to buy one, or be sponsored for onward travel.
Must agree to pay own health-care costs while in New Zealand.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed Visitor Visa application (online via INZ portal or paper form INZ 1017).
Passport valid for at least 3 months past intended departure date.
One acceptable visa photograph (online application) or two photographs (paper application).
Invitation from Tourism New Zealand or letter of introduction from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Evidence of funds: bank/credit-card statements, sponsorship form (INZ 1025), or pre-paid accommodation receipts.
Proof of onward travel ticket or funds to buy one.
Chest X-ray and/or medical certificate if requested by INZ (typically only for stays beyond 6 or 12 months).
Police certificates if total NZ stay across all visits will reach 24 months, or if requested by INZ.
Evidence of relationship (marriage/birth certificates) for any partner or dependent children included.
Hukou and Chinese identity card (citizens of China applying from China); identity card copy (Hong Kong / Macao applicants).
Supplementary form INZ 1027 (paper applications from China) or INZ 1220 (paper applications from Hong Kong / Macao), if applicable.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Authorises paid media work tied to the Tourism NZ / NZTE invitation, unlike a standard visitor visa.
- Remote work for overseas employers or clients is permitted alongside the media activity.
- Partners and dependent children aged 19 and under can be included in the same application.
- Standard visitor-visa decision timeline — about 80% of applications decided within 5 weeks.
- Single flat NZD 441 fee with no separate work-visa charge or sponsorship levy.
Worth Knowing
- Requires an invitation from Tourism New Zealand or a letter of introduction from NZTE — applicants cannot self-nominate.
- Strictly capped at 1 month per grant; longer assignments require switching to a work visa.
- Applicants must show NZD 1,000 per month (or NZD 400 if accommodation is prepaid) or hold an acceptable sponsor.
- Visa is not renewable and provides no pathway to permanent residency.
- No Tourism New Zealand invitation or NZTE letter of introduction — without one the visa cannot be granted.
- Intended media activity is independent or freelance work unrelated to a Visiting Media Programme assignment.
Application Process
Secure an invitation from Tourism New Zealand or a letter of introduction from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Gather supporting documents
passport (valid for 3 months past intended departure), photo, evidence of funds (NZD 1,000/month, or NZD 400/month if accommodation is prepaid) or sponsor, and onward travel evidence.
Submit the visitor visa application online via the Immigration New Zealand portal (paper application available; INZ 1017 if filing on paper), paying the NZD 441 fee.
Provide any health (chest X-ray/medical) or character (police certificates) evidence INZ requests during processing.
Receive eVisa decision (about 80% decided within 5 weeks) and travel to New Zealand within the visa's validity period.
Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arrival and present passport on entry.
Application Forms
| Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017) | Fill online |
| Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)Optional | Fill online |
| Supplementary Form for Chinese visitors, workers and students (INZ 1027)Optional | Fill online |
| Supplementary Form for Hong Kong and Macau visitors, workers and students (INZ 1220)Optional | Fill online |
Related visas
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- Long-Term Special Purpose (Volunteer) Visa
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