We enjoy welcoming visitors to New Zealand, so to ensure you have a memorable experience, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve done your homework and have everything sorted before you leave.

Prior to your arrival, you’ll need to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date, and if required, have a valid New Zealand visa.

Holidaying in New Zealand

Indian citizens can holiday in New Zealand for up to nine months on a visitor visa. The fastest and easiest way to apply for a visitor visa is online. If you hold a passport from the UK, or another country under the visa-waiver agreement, you do not need a visa to holiday in New Zealand.    

Work visas and staying permanently

If you’re thinking of coming to New Zealand to work for a few years, or maybe even to settle, you’ll need a work or resident visa. To get that – you’re likely to need a job. For information about working in New Zealand, including industry profiles, tips on job hunting, and a list of job sites to check out, visit New Zealand Now.

Transiting through New Zealand or Australia

If you are travelling to New Zealand via an Australian airport, you may also need an Australian visa – consult your travel agent or airline if you are unsure. Transit visas(opens in new window) will also be needed for all people travelling via New Zealand, unless they are specifically exempted by immigration policy.

More information about visas

The visa and immigration information on this page is just a summary. For everything you need to know about coming to New Zealand, visit Immigration New Zealand.

On arrival

You will need to complete a Passenger Arrival Card before passing through Customs Passport Control. A passenger arrival card will be given to you during your flight. If not, cards are available in the arrival area.

What you can bring into New Zealand

After you’ve cleared passport control, you should collect your baggage and proceed through customs and biosecurity checks. In order to protect New Zealand and its environment, certain items are not allowed to be brought into the country, have restrictions for entry or must be declared if they are deemed to present a biosecurity risk. These include food, plants, animal products and outdoor recreational equipment.

Your baggage may be sniffed by a detector dog and/or x-rayed, and it may be searched to identify any risk goods you might be carrying.

To avoid penalties it is best to familiarise yourself with these guidelines prior to travel. For a detailed list of prohibited, restricted or declarable items, please visit Ministry for Primary Industries(opens in new window) (biosecurity agency).

Allowances and duty free concessions

As a visitor to New Zealand you may be entitled to various concessions and duty free entries on some of your goods. If you are 17 years or older, you are entitled to allowances for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco. For detailed information on allowances and duty free concessions, please visit New Zealand Customs. We enjoy welcoming visitors to New Zealand, so to ensure you have a memorable experience, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve done your homework and have everything sorted before you leave.

Prior to your arrival, you’ll need to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date, and if required, have a valid New Zealand visa.