New Zealand Visitor Visa: Funds, Sponsorship and the Genuine Visit Test

Immigration New Zealand assesses visitor visa applicants against bona fide applicant criteria: that you genuinely intend a temporary visit, that you can support yourself, and that you will leave at the end of your stay.

Funds or sponsorship — you choose one route

• Your own maintenance funds for the period of stay, plus onward or return travel, evidenced by bank statements.
• Or formal sponsorship, where a sponsor in New Zealand undertakes responsibility for your accommodation and maintenance using the prescribed INZ sponsorship form.
• Or pre-paid accommodation and travel, documented in full.

Sponsorship is a formal undertaking, not just a letter — the sponsor must be eligible and the form must be completed correctly and signed.

Health and character

• Chest x-ray or full medical examination depending on your intended length of stay and history.
• Police certificates where required for longer stays.
• Full and honest declaration of any previous visa refusals, overstays or deportations from any country.

Showing a genuine visit

1. 1 An itinerary that fits the season and your budget — New Zealand's distances are longer than they look on a map.
2. 2 Leave approval or business documents establishing what you return to.
3. 3 Family and financial commitments in India.
4. 4 Consistency between your stated purpose, your funds and your dates.

Want this checked against your own case?

Share your travel purpose and circumstances and we will tell you what is likely to matter — honestly, including when it is not the right time to apply.