Visa-free countries

Citizens of visa-free countries, including Japan, do not require a visa to visit New Zealand if travelling for tourism purposes and are intending to stay for 3 months or less.

If travelling visa-free to New Zealand, you must have the following documents:

1.  A valid passport

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave New Zealand.

2.  Onward travel arrangements

Actual travel tickets (confirmed or open-dated) out of New Zealand to a country you have the right to enter. If you don't have a travel ticket (eg. an e-ticket), you must have evidence of your onward travel arrangements (eg. a travel itinerary from an airline or travel agency confirming that you have booked and paid for onward travel.)
(see the policy in our Operational Manual, section V2.25)

3.  Evidence of sufficient funds or sponsorship

NZ$1000 for every month you intend to stay or NZ$400 if accomodation has been pre-arranged and paid for (evidence of this will be required).
a)  Acceptable forms of evidence of funds:

• cash
• traveller's cheques
• bank drafts
• a recognised credit card which can be used in New Zealand AND evidence of sufficient credit.

If you cannot provide evidence of suffient funds to visit New Zealand but have a New Zealand sponsor, it is highly recommended that you apply for a visitor's visa at your nearest Immigration New Zealand office beforehand.

Submit a Sponsorship form for visiting New Zealand with your visitor visa application so we can verify whether your sponsor meets their sponsorship obligations.(see the policy in our Operational Manual, section V2.20)

Genuine ('bona fide') visitor

Everyone travelling to New Zealand must satisfy the immigration officer that their intentions to visit are genuine and that they are visiting for the purpose of:

• holiday/sightseeing
• visit family/social events
• amateur sport
• business consultation
• medical treatment
  

If your reason for travelling to New Zealand is not listed above, a different visa is required. (see the policy in our Operational Manual, section V2.1)

Important

You must leave New Zealand before your visitor permit expires or you will be removed from New Zealand. You must not breach the conditions of your visitor permit (i.e. undertaking employment in New Zealand on a visitor permit is not permitted).

More information about visa requirements when visiting New Zealand can be found at the Immigration New Zealand website.
We hope you enjoy your time in New Zealand.