How you can apply for a New Zealand vacationer visa? On this article, we’ll be enumerating all the necessities we submitted and the steps we’ve taken so as to be granted a short-stay New Zealand visa for tourism or visiting household or associates. Please be aware that that is merely a compilation of every little thing I do know primarily based by myself and my associates’ private expertise. This could NOT be taken as official Immigration recommendation. If you happen to’re after a Resident visa, scholar visa, or work visa, know this text won’t be able that will help you as it’s centered solely on Customer Visa.
New Yr, new journey! It does really feel like a brand new begin as a result of final yr, we now have closed our nation depend at 60. And what higher solution to kick off a brand new period than by exploring the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand! Sure, New Zealand is our Nation #61!
Whether or not you’re dreaming of mountaineering by way of Milford Sound, saying whats up to the glowworms of Rotorua, or lastly residing out your Lord of the Rings fantasy, there’s one factor you’ll want earlier than reserving that flight: a New Zealand visa.
The excellent news? Your entire software course of will be achieved on-line! No want for embassy visits or lengthy queues: just some clicks, some paperwork, and also you’re in your solution to Center Earth. On this information, we’ll stroll you thru the step-by-step technique of making use of for a New Zealand visa for Filipinos, together with necessities, charges, and a few tricks to enhance your possibilities of approval. Let’s get began!
1. Decide the correct visa sort for you.
New Zealand gives loads of go to visa choices, with various lengths of keep allowed and paperwork required. In case your goal of go to is tourism and also you enter it on the official Immigration web site, you’ll primarily be introduced with three varieties:


- New Zealand Digital Journey Authority (NZeTA), the e-visa model, however sadly, most Filipinos are usually not eligible for this for now except they’re arriving by cruise ship. Chances are you’ll verify eligibility standards right here.
- Customer Visa, which can mean you can go to on a vacation or for tourism, stick with household and associates, play newbie sport, or get married in New Zealand.
- Group Customer Visa, just like the common Customer visa however a extra handy choice for teams touring along with the identical goal and journey preparations (identical flights, identical lodging).
On this article, we’ll be specializing in the Customer Visa solely as a result of that’s what I utilized for.
2. Full the necessities.
Whereas your entire software will be achieved on-line, earlier than you begin the method, you should first collect all the necessities. However pay attention to the next:
- Scan all these paperwork and save them as a PDF file, besides the photograph which have to be JPEG.
- You may solely add one file per merchandise. In case your doc has a number of particular person pages, mix them multi functional file. For instance, in case your financial institution assertion has one web page per 30 days, ensure that to merge all these pages to create only one file.
- Submit as many doc varieties as you may for higher possibilities of approval. Solely the primary three objects — passport, photograph, and itinerary — are tagged as “required” on the web site. The opposite objects on this listing are marked “Non-compulsory”. Technically, you may submit your software with simply the passport, photograph, and itinerary. However in fact, we extremely urge you to additionally submit the opposite paperwork, too, as a result of it isn’t reasonable to count on being granted a visa with solely these three.
Anyway, under is the listing of the paperwork to submit on your New Zealand visa software.
a. Passport
Should be legitimate. Be sure you nonetheless have a minimum of 6 months of validity so that you received’t run into PH Immigration issues later.
Textual content have to be readable.
b. Picture
- Passport-size. Dimensions ought to NOT be smaller than 900 x 1200 pixels, however not bigger than 2250 x 3000 pixels.
- Smooth copy (JPEG). File dimension must be between 500 KB and three MB.
- Non-white background. Grey, ideally.

You may take the photograph your self so long as you observe the specs listed by the federal government. Yow will discover the full photograph pointers right here.
However I counsel that you simply simply go to a photograph studio and let the professionals do it.
c. Proof of Objective of Go to
This may be an itinerary detailing your day-by-day keep in New Zealand.
That is the format I submitted:

d. Proof of Real Intent
With this, you should show that the aim of journey that you simply declared is true, and that you can be coming again residence after your journey. You may submit any or all the following:
- Proof of depart of absence from work, exhibiting that you’ve a job to return to after the journey. I submitted a Certificates of Employment that additionally signifies that my depart of absence has been filed and authorised.
- Passport stamps and visas, proving you might have visited different nations earlier than.
- Proof of lodging, which is usually a lodge reserving for vacationers. That is non-obligatory and chances are you’ll select to skip this. However if you wish to submit to extend your odds, e-book a lodge that has a FREE CANCELLATION coverage so you may simply refund do you have to be refused a visa. Seek for free-cancellation lodges right here! Ensure that the room you’re reserving is marked “Free cancellation.” Use promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK for further low cost!
- Flight reserving, to point out you intend to exit New Zealand. Once more, that is non-obligatory solely. If you have already got this, then go forward and submit. However should you don’t have it but, chances are you’ll choose to not submit. However should you actually wish to submit this for higher probabilities, don’t submit an precise ticket. Submit a flight reservation as an alternative, which will be cancelled in case you get denied a visa. You may get this from journey companies. We normally get ours from Gazelle Journey & Excursions, a licensed and accredited journey company right here within the Philippines. You may order flight reservations on-line right here!
- Australian visa, provided that relevant. If you happen to don’t have this, you may ignore this. If you happen to do, submit it. I feel this might massively assist your software. In our group, those that submitted an Australia visa bought authorised so much sooner than those that didn’t.
e. Proof of Funds
This may be financial institution statements and/or financial institution certificates.
I submitted two financial institution accounts: payroll account and financial savings account. I created one PDF file per checking account. One file, I uploaded below Proof of Funds, whereas the opposite below Different Proof (which I’ll talk about under).
f. Proof you’re visiting household or associates
Provided that relevant. In case you have household or associates in New Zealand that you simply plan to go to, you should present your contact’s:
- names
- addresses
- contact numbers
- their New Zealand visa or citizenship standing
I didn’t present any of those as a result of I used to be touring for tourism.
If you happen to’re visiting a accomplice or member of the family working in New Zealand however they can’t help a visa for you, you might also be requested to submit a canopy letter stating the main points of your journey and the aim of your go to.
g. Bank card or debit card
You can be paying the NZD 100 visa charge on-line, so ensure you have a sound bank card of debit card.
Different Non-compulsory Paperwork
You’ll additionally encounter a piece for “Different Proof.” This refers to different paperwork that may assist show your character and real intent. It may be any of the next:
- Cowl letter
- ITR (tax doc)
- Certificates of Employment
- Extra financial institution accounts (different monetary info)
- Beginning certificates
Sure, I additionally uploaded a canopy letter as a result of bear in mind, every little thing’s on-line. Having a canopy letter allowed me to correctly clarify my goal of journey and make clear any side that wants clarification. You should utilize the duvet letter to elucidate should you’re simply new at your present job or why your checking account is newly opened, or no matter.
I additionally uploaded a delivery certificates solely as a result of I had a digital copy of it. If you happen to don’t have one, it’s OK. I don’t suppose it’s going to make or break your software. However when you have it, be happy to submit it.
3. Create a RealMe Account.
RealMe is the official account administration portal of the New Zealand Immigration division. To have the ability to apply for a New Zealand visa, you should first register for a RealMe account. Right here’s how:

- Go to the Customer Visa web page.
- Click on on APPLY ONLINE.
- Click on on the LOG IN button. It is going to then take you to the REALME web page.
- Click on on CREATE A REALME LOG IN button. If you happen to’re viewing the positioning on a cell phone, you first have to tick off “I have to create a log in” to ensure that the log-in button to look.
- Enter a sound e mail tackle. Then click on SEND CODE. Verify your inbox and enter the affirmation code within the designated area. Click on CONFIRM CODE.
- Set a username and password. Click on CONTINUE.
- Enter your cell quantity. You’ll even be requested a select safety questions and supply solutions. Click on the CONTINUE button.
That’s it!
You’ll be redirected to your RealMe dashboard. Chances are you’ll be requested to log in once more.
4. Begin your on-line software.
To do that:

- Click on on MY VISAS. On the following web page, you’ll discover a part known as DRAFT APPLICATIONS.
- Click on on APPLY FOR A VISA. On the following web page, scroll down.
- Below YOUR SITUATION, choose TEMPORARY VISA. Since this information is for these touring for tourism solely, ensure you choose solutions pertaining to TOURIST or HOLIDAY goal. In the direction of the underside of the web page, it’s best to see GENERAL VISITOR VISA.
- Click on on START MY APPLICATION.

That’s it. Now, it’s time to fill out the appliance type.
5. Fill out the appliance type.
If you happen to’re coming from the appliance dashboard and also you’re making use of for your self, search for the row labeled PRINCIPAL APPLICANT below the APPLICANTS part. Then click on CONTINUE on the identical row. It is going to then take you to the appliance type.
The excellent news is: this type shouldn’t be too sophisticated. There are only some questions. Not like the US Visa and Australian visa software type which have round 20 pages, the New Zealand visa software type has solely seven (7) pages, that are in regards to the following:
- Web page 1: Identification Particulars. You’ll be requested to enter your title, passport particulars, immigration historical past, photograph with grey background, e mail tackle, contact numbers, and bodily tackle.
- Web page 2: Objective of Go to. You’ll be requested to declare that you would be able to afford to pay for this journey. It is going to additionally ask you should you possess NZD 1000 per particular person per 30 days, when you have already booked your lodging, and if there’s anybody under 16 on this software.
- Web page 3: Character. Questions are about whether or not you might have been convicted for a criminal offense, deported from one other nation, or refused a visa earlier than. You could reply honestly.
- Web page 4: Well being. Particularly, you’ll be requested whether or not you might have tuberculosis, whether or not you’ll be needing medical care throughout your keep in New Zealand, and whether or not you might have undergone a medical examination for this software. The final bit made me pause for a bit as a result of it made me suppose a medical take a look at was required. However don’t panic. I answered NO to this however I used to be not requested for medical take a look at outcomes.
- Web page 5: Employment Historical past. Enter your employer’s particulars together with the title of the corporate and the way lengthy you might have been employed. If you happen to’re self-employed, enter your small business info. The shape solely requires your CURRENT employment.
- Web page 6: Relationships. You’ll be requested on your relationship standing: single, married, engaged, widowed, and many others. You’ll spot a Companion/De Facto choice, which refers to individuals in a relationship and dwell collectively in the identical tackle for a substantial size of time. Straight and LGBTQIA+ relationships are coated right here. You’ll even be requested in case your accomplice is included on this visa software. In that case, enter their particulars.
- Web page 7: Immigration Help. It’s worthwhile to declare whether or not you’re conducting the shape on behalf of another person or you might have sought the help of an Immigration adviser. I answered NO to each questions.

That’s it!
💡 TIP! At any level, you may SAVE your progress. You don’t want to finish the shape in a single sitting. If there are particulars that you simply don’t have but or are not sure of otherwise you merely can not end it, you may click on on SAVE & EXIT to save lots of your progress and decide up the place you left off one other time.
However when you’re by way of, you’ll be led to the following part, which is….
6. Add supporting paperwork.
Earlier than you might add, you’ll be requested if all of the paperwork you’re submitting are in English. In that case, choose YES. Having your paperwork in English will make issues simpler.
Then it’s time to add your supporting paperwork. To do this, simply click on on BROWSE and choose the file you plan to add.

- Identification proof: a replica of your passport. You’ll additionally discover this query: Are you residing in a rustic that isn’t your nation of citizenship? If you happen to’re primarily based within the Philippines, reply NO.
- Objective of go to proof: detailed itinerary.
- Proof of real intent. proof from employer that your depart of absence is authorised. There may be additionally a piece about Australian visa. An AU visa is NOT required, however when you have one, add it as a result of it’ll assist enhance your probabilities. In any other case, you may simply skip this half. You’ll even be inspired to add different paperwork that may function proof of real intent. I hooked up a Certificates of Employment, flight reservation, and lodge reserving.
- Proof of funds. Below “Are you offering financial institution or monetary statements…?”, reply YES, add your financial institution paperwork, and enter the main points of your checking account.
- Different proof. You may add your BIR Revenue Tax Return (ITR) and extra financial institution accounts below OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION. You can even submit a canopy letter.
💡 IMPORTANT NOTES!
- Your paperwork should all be in PDF file format. Ensure that they’re all readable and NOT password-protected. Financial institution statements, particularly these downloaded on-line, are normally encrypted. If that’s the case, be sure that you take away the password earlier than importing so the evaluator might entry them.
- If you happen to add the unsuitable file, you may delete and substitute it with the correct one. It’s not last till you submit the appliance.
If every little thing appears good and proper, verify the tickboxes below DECLARATION and click on SAVE & CONTINUE.
7. Submit and pay on your software.
After importing, on the following web page…
- Evaluate all the knowledge you entered. If you happen to spot a mistake, you may return and proper it.
- If every little thing is so as, click on READY FOR SUBMISSION. You’ll be redirected again to the Utility dashboard.
- On the correct facet of the dashboard, discover the button labeled PAY & SUBMIT APPLICATION. Hit it and overview the appliance prices.
The whole quantity for a Customer Visa is just NZD 100 (roughly PHP 3,300).

You may pay through bank card, debit card, or Union Pay. As soon as achieved, it’s best to obtain a message stating that the transaction is profitable.
After this, there’s nothing else you are able to do however wait.
8. Anticipate the consequence.
In line with the New Zealand Immigration web site, the same old wait time is 4 weeks.

However to be trustworthy, I bought my visa after solely 2 days, whereas Vins bought his after 6 days. Beneath are our timelines:
- YOSH
December 11 – I submitted my software
December 13 – I obtained the visa (authorised) - VINS
December 21 – Vins submitted his software
December 27 – Vins obtained the visa (authorised)
Word that each Vins and I had legitimate Australian visas, too, and submitted them as supporting docs. One in every of our companions who didn’t have an AU visa bought authorised after precisely two (2) weeks or 14 days.
That mentioned, you’re extremely inspired to use early and have a minimum of 4 weeks of allowance to be protected. We really utilized two months earlier than our journey date.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s the validity interval of the visa?
I used to be granted a multiple-entry customer visa, legitimate for one (1) yr, beginning on the day the visa was issued.
How lengthy can I keep in New Zealand?
Two months per journey, in our case.
How a lot cash ought to you need to get authorised?
No concept. On the very least, it’s best to have NZD 1000 per 30 days as a result of that’s what’s indicated on the appliance type. However in fact, it’s best to have extra.
At one level within the importing course of, you can be requested the next questions:

It’s essential to recollect, nevertheless, that it’s not simply the funds which are being inspected. Extra importantly, it’s best to be capable of present that you’ve sturdy rootedness or ties to the Philippines and that you don’t have any purpose to overstay in New Zealand.
Is flight ticket required?
No, flight reserving is non-obligatory. But when you have already got one — say, you bought it from a seat sale — go forward and submit. If you happen to don’t have one but, chances are you’ll choose to not submit.
However should you actually wish to submit this for higher probabilities, don’t add an precise ticket. Use a flight reservation as an alternative. That is totally different from an precise flight reserving as a result of a flight reservation will be cancelled in case your software is rejected. You may get one from journey companies.
We normally get our flight reservation from Gazelle Journey & Excursions, a licensed and accredited journey company right here within the Philippines. Since we’re at all times requested about the place we get ours, we determined to place up a web page the place you may simply order one.
✅ GET A FLIGHT RESERVATION HERE!
Is lodge reserving required?
No, that is non-obligatory and chances are you’ll select to skip this. However if you wish to submit to extend your odds, e-book a lodge that has a FREE CANCELLATION coverage so you may simply refund do you have to be refused a visa. Seek for free-cancellation lodges right here!
Listed below are some top-rated lodges accessible on-line. Ensure that the room you’re reserving is marked “Free cancellation.” Use promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK for further low cost!
✅ SEARCH FOR MORE AUCKLAND HOTELS!
Is a canopy letter required?
NO, a canopy letter is NOT required. However we advocate submitting one particularly in case your case is sophisticated or if you need to clarify one thing.
Bear in mind, there will probably be NO interview, so a canopy letter is your solely alternative to elucidate away something that could possibly be complicated or doubtful.
What are the widespread causes for visa denial?
I don’t know what essentially the most typical causes for refusal are, however a buddy of mine who was denied a visa confirmed me the refusal letter. In her case, the principle causes cited had been “weak ties in residence nation” and “weak household ties.”
Because of this it’s best to submit as many related supporting paperwork that you might, particularly these proving real intent and rootedness within the Philippines. You could be capable of present that you’ve a very good life right here within the Philippines and you’ve got a steady job or supply of earnings right here.
We expect that specifically, the rationale for her denial was that she has simply transferred to a brand new firm, so the employer particulars within the software type and the employer in her ITR didn’t match. And he or she didn’t submit a canopy letter to elucidate this, both.
Are you able to enchantment after being rejected a visa?
NO, should you utilized exterior New Zealand. I’m assuming most of you studying this text are usually not primarily based in NZ.


What you are able to do is reapply. This implies you’ll want to start out a brand new software and pay one other visa charge. However earlier than you reapply, ensure you have new supporting paperwork so as to add that would tackle the explanations for refusal. If you happen to’ll be submitting the very same pile of paperwork, you would possibly simply be losing one other NZD 100.
If you happen to’re at present in New Zealand, YES, you may enchantment so long as you make the request inside 14 days.


What does a New Zealand visa seem like?
Like this:

It’s a easy PDF file with an NZ Immigration brand and visa situations. It’s NOT the sticker sort that’s affixed on the passport.
Are vaccinations required when visiting New Zealand?
NO, in our expertise.
It wasn’t required after we utilized for a New Zealand visa and it wasn’t requested for after we arrived or at any level of our journey.
How a lot is the New Zealand visa charge?
NZD 100 for Filipinos making use of for a customer visa (for lower than 59 days) from exterior of New Zealand.

In concept, the entire charge must be NZD 441 (together with NZD 300 visa charge, NZD 100 Worldwide Customer Conservation and Tourism Levy or IVL, and NZD 41 Immigration levy). Nonetheless, the Philippines is among the many nations that New Zealand has a bilateral fee-waiver settlement with. The visa charge and immigration levy are waived, and solely the IVL is being charged.
In our expertise and all my associates who utilized, we had been solely charged the NZD 100 IVL. That’s what we paid.

We have now been getting messages from a couple of candidates asking why they had been charged the total NZD 441 quantity. I do not know why. However once more, in our case, we solely paid NZD 100.
Updates Log
2025 04 18 – First up
2025 08 11 – Added questions on visa charge waiver and vaccination necessities (or the shortage thereof) to the FAQs.






