US/Canada Residents

In general, if you wish to visit, work or study in New Zealand you will need to obtain a visa before you depart.

However, as New Zealand and the United States have a Visa Waiver Agreement, a holder of a United States passport:

• with return air tickets, or holding a valid onwards ticket to a country the traveller has a right to enter;
• who has a passport valid for three months beyond the date they are leaving NZ;
• who has proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the visit; and
• is only wishing to visit for the time granted on arrival.

You may visit New Zealand as a tourist for up to three months without a visa. (If your intention is to stay longer, you should apply for a visitor's visa.)

 

Visas for New Zealanders

Please note that citizens of the United States travelling on valid US passports do not have to pay fees for visitor, work, or student visas. Please feel free to contact Mark Manhire for up-to-date fee and processing information, and for all other information relating to visitor's visas, work visas, student visas, returning resident's visas, resident's visas and relevant application forms

The following checklists will help you when applying for visas through the New Zealand Embassy in either Washington DC or here in New Zealand. If you are between 18 - 30, please click here for further information on the United States Working Holiday Scheme. Mark Manhire can also assist you in preparing and filing a United States Working Holiday application.

There are also two private companies that offer an exchange programme for young United States citizens wanting to work in New Zealand.

BUNAC offers a work exchange programme for United States citizens aged between 18 and 35. Please check their website for further information.

CCUSA offers a work exchange programme for United States citizens aged between 18 and 30. Please click their website for further information.

Please remember that you may stay in New Zealand until the date shown on the permit in your passport. If you remain in New Zealand after your permit expires then you may be arrested, removed and banned from returning to New Zealand for up to five years. Please make sure that you have a valid permit at all times while you are in New Zealand.

Please also note: All applications from outside New Zealand are called visas. If an applicant was in New Zealand, they would apply for a permit.

New Zealand/Canada Working Holiday Scheme

The New Zealand/Canada Working Holiday Scheme was introduced in January 1994. Under the terms of the scheme, 2000 work visas allowing a stay of 12 months are available annually to young citizens of Canada who wish to travel to New Zealand for a holiday and undertake employment during their stay. The quota opens on 01 January each year. As of 1 April 2001, eligible participants may lodge their applications through any New Zealand Immigration Service office worldwide.

To be eligible for a work visa under this scheme, applicants must:

• be Canadian citizens
• be aged from 18 to 30 years and not be accompanied by children on the visit
• have no criminal convictions
• be able to satisfy the processing officer that the primary intention in going to New Zealand is to holiday, with employment being incidental rather than a primary reason for the visit
• be in possession of a return airline ticket
• be in good health.

To apply, you must complete the Working Holiday Scheme application form and send it to the New Zealand High Commission in Ottawa together with:

• your signed and valid original passport (which must remain valid for a period of at least three months beyond your predicted date of departure from New Zealand)
• the application fee
• a return or onward passage airline ticket, or an itinery and receipt showing payment in full of ticket
• evidence that you will be in possession of a minimum of NZ$4,200 to provide for your maintenance while in New Zealand (a letter or statement from your bank, to this effect will satisfy this requirement)
• a prepaid priority post envelope in which your original documents can be returned to you

Please note: Persons interested in participating in the NZ/Canada Working Holiday Scheme may apply on-line at www.immigration.govt.nz (external link) or by contacting Mark Manhire who will prepare and file the Application on your behalf.