VISA REQUIREMENTS

The FIG 2016 Working Week Local Organising Committee wants to make travelling to New Zealand (NZ) to attend the Working Week as easy as possible. For that reason we have assembled a fact sheet that should answer any questions you may have with regard to problem free travel to New Zealand in May 2016.

• Download the Fact Sheet (Pdf, 408 KB)

When you arrive in New Zealand, you’ll need to be carrying a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date. Many people will qualify for visa-free entry, but depending on your country of origin, some will need to apply for a visa before they travel.

Do you need a visa or permit?

You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand/Australia citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• British citizen and or British passport holder who can produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK (you can stay up to six months)
• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months).

Visa Waiver countries:

*) A visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien's (non-citizen's) passports issued by these countries.
**) Greek passport holders whose passports were issued on and after 1 January 2006. (Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are not acceptable for travel after 1 January 2007.)
***) Residents of Hong Kong travelling on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passports.
****) Residents of Macao travelling on Macao Special Administrative Region passports.
*****) Portuguese passport holders must also have the right to live permanently in Portugal.
******) Permanent residents of Taiwan travelling on Taiwan passports. A personal identity number printed within the visible section of the biographical page of the Taiwan passport demonstrates that the holder is a permanent resident of Taiwan.
*******) Including nationals of the USA.

If you come from Visa-waiver countries, you don't need a visa to enter New Zealand, but are still required to provide:

• Travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements
• Evidence that you can support yourself in New Zealand (approximately NZ$1000 per month per person).

How to apply?

Download check list .pdf

For everything you need to know about entering New Zealand, please visit Immigration New Zealand.

To save time you may apply for your visa online:  www.immigration.govt.nz. The online facility ensures that the applications are received almost immediately once the fee is paid. 

Caveat: The information provided below does not constitute immigration advice and is publicly available on Immigration New Zealand Pretoria Market Office webpage. Some information has been tailored to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

To save time you may apply for your visa online: www.immigration.govt. The online facility ensures that the applications are received almost immediately once the fee is paid. If you choose to submit your application online, you will still have the option to submit all the necessary supporting documents, like your letter of invitation, a reference from the local association etc. It is also important to provide evidence of your personal circumstances as indicated below.

African delegates

Paper-based applications are to be lodged at the New Zealand Visitor Application Centre (VAC). Contact information and details on lodging and payment requirements can be found on the VFS website: www.vfsglobal.com/newzealand/southafrica. [This is for applicants in the African region only – all other applicants can source the VAC details from the main website www.immigration.govt.nz]

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not provide all of the requirements as indicated below, your application will be decided based on the information submitted. Visa applications must be submitted by 1 April 2016 to ensure that there is sufficient time for Immigration New Zealand [INZ] to process and decide the applications.

GENERIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL AFRICAN APPLICANTS

A completed Visitor Visa Application (INZ1017) form.  Please ensure that you complete the health and character sections in full. Failure to complete these sections will result in your application being returned un-actioned.

Immigration New Zealand Application fee:
Please refer to our office and fees finder for the most up-to-date fee details.

Please note that in addition to the visa application fee, a VAC Service Fee in South African Rand is payable per application.  Please refer here for all payment options and processes.

Your current Passport (original).  Both paper-based and online applicants are required to submit their original passports.

2 recent passport-sized photos (of passport quality)

Evidence of your ability to fund your stay in New Zealand, and your outward travel from New Zealand such as:

• Bank statements for the previous 3 months
• Credit card statements and limits
•  A completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)

Please note: if you are funding your own visit, you must demonstrate you have at least NZ$1,000 (per person) for each month you intend to be in New Zealand (or NZ$400 per month if you have prepaid your accommodation).
Immigration New Zealand must be satisfied that you are a bona fide applicant with a genuine purpose for visiting New Zealand.   Please submit the following additional documents or information to demonstrate your personal, financial, employment or other commitments in your home country to demonstrate you are a bona fide visitor to New Zealand:-

•  Your FIG invitation letter
• a letter from your employer
• salary advice slips
• a copy of your highest qualification
• evidence of your current registration with the local surveying organisation/association
• a list of immediate family (not accompanying you)
• evidence of other personal/financial commitments (evidence of fixed assets (land/property), business interests (business registration, business bank statements)
• Your previous passports to verify previous travel history
• Details of any FIG or other similar conferences you previously attended

HELPFUL HINTS:

With the exception of INZ forms, identity information (including passports) and medical and police certificates, you do not have to provide original documents when you lodge your application. If you choose to, please provide a copy along with the original.

All documents presented must be in English and/or translated into English by an accredited translation service/sworn-in-translator.

For further information please visit: Visitor visas

Visa Letter

If you require an Invitation letter to allow your attendance to the conference, please contact the FIG Office.

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.

Customs prohibited and restricted goods, Biosecurity risk goods

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 it's 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.

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 listed of prohibited, restricted or declarable items, please visit New Zealand Customs.

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.

Pets

Domestic pets may be brought into New Zealand but need to meet specific conditions. For information on bringing pets to New Zealand visit New Zealand Biosecurity.