Frequently Asked Questions

A part of Immigration New Zealands application process has been outsourced to TTS. TTS is responsible for the following on behalf of Immigration New Zealand:

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

If you wish to lodge an application for visa or provide additional information for your application already with Immigration New Zealand, contact your nearest TTS office, the addresses of which are given below. Any application received by TTS office in Delhi by 3.00pm reaches Immigration New Zealand the same day. Applications from TTS offices outside Delhi reach Immigration New Zealand the next day.

For information on TTS offices click on Contact us link on the home page

Q. 2. Is it possible to visit the Immigration New Zealand officer personally for clarifications?

Personal visits by applicants is by appointment only. If you need clarification on policy matters please visit the Immigration New Zealand website www.immigration.govt.nz or call up Immigration New Zealand Contact Centre at +91-11-42596300.

Q. 3. Can we collect our passports personally?

Passports can not be collected personally by individuals. TTS deals with the despatch of passports for Immigration New Zealand. (In case there is an exceptional case you need to speak with an Immigration New Zealand officer for authorising a personal collection). 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.

Q. 4. What are the processing times for the different types of visa applications?

For information please click on http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/NewDelhiBranchHome/timeframes.htm

Q. 5. What documents should I lodge with my visa application (visitor, work, student, residence)

Please visit the Immigration New Zealand New Delhi website for detailed information on visa requirements: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/NewDelhiBranchHome/Checklists/

Q. 6. Do you 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.

Q. 7. How much money should I carry with me if I am travelling to NZ on a holiday?

The approximate living expense in New Zealand amounts to NZ$1000 per person per month.

Q. 8. From where can I get my medical reports completed?

Medical reports completed on the Immigration New Zealand prescribed form completed by a Immigration New Zealand panel doctor are the only acceptable reports. Please note that reports from your family doctor or any other doctor not on the Immigration New Zealand panel of doctors is not acceptable. A list of panel doctors can be obtained from http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/NewDelhiBranchHome/paneldoctors.htm or http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/live/partner/LinkAdministration/ToolboxLinks/PanelDoctors.htm?level=1

Q. 9. Can we find out the status of our Expression of Interest 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.

Q. 10. What are the contact details for the Business Migration Branch?

Business Migration Branch
3rd Floor, Solnet House
70 The Terrace
WELLINGTON
Phone: 09 914 4100
Fax: 04 801 2928
E-mail: firstname.lastname@dol.govt.nz

Q. 11. How can we apply for extension of visas?

You should travel to New Zealand within the validity of your visa. If you are unable to do so, you must lodge a fresh application along with the processing fee and all pertinent information to obtain a fresh visa.

For holders of residence visas, if there are extenuating circumstances as a result of which you are unable to travel, contact the Immigration New Zealand office with all the details. A decision is taken on a case by case basis.

Q. 12. How can my sponsor support my application if he or she is outside of New Zealand?

If a New Zealand resident/ citizen is outside of New Zealand at the time of sponsoring an application he or she can complete the sponsorship form and send the same along with the visa application and supporting documents to establish his eligibility as a sponsor. The sponsorship application can be approved by a visa officer.

Q. 13. Is a confirmed ticket or a return ticket required for applying 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.

Q. 14. What does outward passage/ funds waived mean?

If your visa label states Outward Passage Waived or Funds Waived then 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.

Q. 15. What is the maximum duration of a visitor visa?

On a visitor visa the maximum allowable stay is 9 months. The visa is normally valid for 3 months or in some cases upto 6 months. Business persons travelling to New Zealand frequently for business purposes may be issued multiple entry visitor visa valid for a maximum period of 3 years.

Q. 16. Do we need to pay a different processing fee for a longer validity visitor visa?

No additional fee is chargeable for a longer validity. Please note that the validity of the visa is at the discretion of the processing officer.

Q. 17. 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.

Q. 18. 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 visas expire.

Q. 19. 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 and they will be entering New Zealand together. The group members do not get 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 however get their passports endorsed with a permit on arrival in New Zealand.

Q. 20. What is the minimum number of people required to lodge a group visa?

Groups sizes vary from 5 to 14 members. If there are more than 14 members separate group visa forms need to submitted.

Q. 21. 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.

Q. 22. Is there a working Holiday Scheme for Indians?

No.

Q. 23. Do we need to pay for the return of our documents?

There are no additional charges for return of documents. Documents are usually returned by courier or speed post and in areas where there are no courier or speed post service, by registered mail.

Q. 24. 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 application for temporary entry visas at the nearest TTS office. The applications will be processed by the New Delhi office.

Q. 25. Who does not need a visa?

Please refer to the Immigration New Zealand website to obtain information on visa free visitors: www.immigration.govt.nz

Q. 26. When should we apply for a 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 the old passport to the new passport. Please submit your old and new passport along with the current processing fee.

Q. 27. What are the provisions for taking a pet along?

Visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/settlementpack/onarrival/BeforeYouLeave/Pets.htm for information.

Q.28. Are we required to submit the photocopy of the passport while lodging the application?

Yes, you are required to submit the photocopy of the passport (the first two and the last two pages) even if you are submitting the original passport.

Q.29. What is a transit visa?

Transit visas are only for people who will be in New Zealand for less than 24 hours and will not leave the transit area of the airport. If you will be in New Zealand for more than 24 hours or want to leave the transit area, you will need a visitor’s visa.

Q.30. When does the new transit visa policy come into force?

The new policy will be effective from 28 March 2008. This means that if you are transiting through New Zealand on or after this date you will have to meet the new requirements.

Q.31. Under the new transit visa policy do I need a transit visa?

You will require a transit visa unless:

you are from a country on our list of visa-free countries (the list can be found on our website www.immigration.govt.nz/visafree or in Section E2.1.5 of our Operational Policy Manual), or

you are a citizen of Australia, or

your immediate or final destination after New Zealand is Australia, and you hold a current visa allowing you to travel to Australia, or

you have a current visa allowing you to travel to New Zealand, or

you are from one of the following countries which are exempt from transit visa requirements.

Bahamas	Republic of Marshall Islands
Bermuda	Samoa
Federated States of Micronesia	Solomon Islands
Kiribati	Tonga
Nauru	Tuvalu
Palau	Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea

Q.32. If I require a transit visa, where do I apply for one?

The list of receiving offices for applications can be found at Appendix 4 of the Operational Manual or you can visit our website at www.immigration.govt.nz/fees and use our office and fee finder to find your nearest branch office or to calculate our fees.

General Information

Frequently Asked Questions