If you plan to come to New Zealand for a short time, you need to know about the different types of temporary visas you can get. New Zealand offers many types of temporary visas options to fit what you want to do, whether you want to work, study, see your family, or explore the country. At Ezy Immigration, we help you through this process making it easy and simple for you.
This guide gives you a rundown of the main types of temporary visas in New Zealand. You’ll find brief overviews of each category, which will help you get a sense of which visa might work for you. If you want to learn more, we’ve got links to detailed guides on each type of visa.
What Are Temporary Visas in New Zealand?
Temporary visas let people come to New Zealand and stay for a set time. These visas don’t give you permanent residence like resident visas do, but they do make it legal for you to live, work, or study in the country for a specific period.
You can split temporary visas into four main groups:
- Visitor Visas
- Work Visas
- Study Visas
- Other Temporary Visas
Visitor Visas: Explore, Visit, and Even Work
Visitor visas top the list of temporary visas issued. They cater to tourists, family visits, or brief stays for business or conferences. In most cases, these visas let you stay in New Zealand for up to 9 months.
A recent change has caught many travelers’ attention. Some visitor visa holders can now work for overseas employers while in New Zealand. This new rule suits digital nomads who want to experience New Zealand life without local employment. To learn more about working on a visitor visa, check out our Digital Nomad Guide. Also, see the official guidelines on remote work for visitor visa holders from Immigration New Zealand here.
Work Visas: Chances for Skilled Workers, Essential Workers, and Others
New Zealand provides several work visa options based on your skills, job offers, or specific industries. Work visas appeal to many who want to gain useful experience or move towards residency.
Main work visa categories include:
- Essential Skills Work Visa: For those with a job offer in a field where skills are scarce or the role is crucial.
- Accredited Employer Work Visa: For employees working for companies that Immigration New Zealand has approved.
- Working Holiday Visa: For young tourists from eligible nations who wish to work and vacation in New Zealand.
- Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa: For individuals hired for a particular event or project.
Each of these visas has its own set of requirements and steps to apply. At Ezy Immigration, we give you step-by-step help on all types of work visas to boost your odds of getting approved. You can check out all the options in our New Zealand Work Visa Guide.
Study Visas: Get an Education in New Zealand's Top-Notch Schools
New Zealand is known for its excellent schools. If you want to study here, you’ll need a student visa. This visa lets you take full-time classes at approved schools and often allows you to work part-time to help pay for your studies.
There are different kinds of study visas such as:
- Fee Paying Student Visa: International students enrolled in full-time courses need this visa.
- Exchange Student Visa: Students in approved exchange programs use this visa.
- Visitor Student Visa: Short courses under 3 months need just a visitor visa.
Many people choose to study in New Zealand as a way to work and live there later. Our Student Visa Guide gives you all the info you need about how to apply, what you need, and what you get.
Other Types of Temporary Visas: Interim, Family, and Special Circumstances
New Zealand has more temporary visas besides the usual visitor, work, and study types. These are for specific situations:
- Partner Visas: These allow partners of New Zealand citizens or residents to live in NZ for a limited time.
- Parent Retirement Visa: Parents of New Zealand citizens or residents can apply if they meet certain income and investment criteria.
- Specific Purpose Visas: These cover short-term jobs, sports events, or cultural shows.
- Interim Visas: You can stay in New Zealand with these while we process your application for another visa.
Each visa comes with its own rules and requirements. To learn more, check out our Other Temporary Visas Overview.
How Do You Pick the Right Types of Temporary Visas?
Picking the right visa hinges on your goals, how long you plan to stay, if you qualify, and what you want to do in the future. If you’re not sure, it’s smart to talk to immigration experts. They can look at your situation and suggest the best path for you.
At Ezy Immigration, we focus on giving personal visa advice and taking care of your visa applications with skill and care. If you want to work, study, or just visit New Zealand, we’re here to lend a hand.
Conclusion:
New Zealand’s short-term visa system works for many types of travelers, workers, and students. If you plan to visit briefly or stay longer, you need to know your visa options first. At Ezy Immigration, we’re ready to help you from start to finish — as you pick the right visa and send in a strong application.
If you’re set to begin your adventure or need more information, reach out to our team now.
Why Choose Ezy Immigration for Your Temporary Visa?
New Zealand’s immigration rules can be hard to understand. Ezy Immigration makes this easier for you by:
- Giving you current clear advice that fits your needs.
- Helping you at every stage of your application.
- Linking you to in-depth guides and resources.
- Making sure you follow all New Zealand immigration rules.
Check out our homepage to find out more about what we do: Ezy Immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the most part, visitor visas don’t allow you to work for New Zealand employers. However, some visitor visa holders can work for overseas employers. Check out our Digital Nomad Guide for more details.
Work visas have different lengths from 1 to 3 years, based on the visa type and job conditions.
An interim visa allows you to stay in NZ while officials review your new visa application if your current visa is about to end.
Some temporary visas allow partners and kids who depend on you to come with you or join you later, if they meet the requirements.
A temporary visa lets you stay in New Zealand for a set time, while a resident visa gives you the right to live in New Zealand for as long as you want.
This depends on the visa type. Visitor visas might allow stays up to 9 months, while work or study visas can last from 1 to 3 years or even longer.
Yes, some temporary visas, like the Accredited Employer Work Visa, offer ways to become a resident if you meet certain requirements.
You might not need a visitor visa, but you must apply to get an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before your trip.
You’ll need to apply for a new visa before your current one runs out. The authorities may issue an interim visa while they process your new application.
