New Zealand flag

New Zealand Visa for Nepali Citizens

Up-to-date New Zealand visa requirements, processing time, and embassy info for Nepali passport holders. Yatra handles the full application — document review, dummy ticket, and tracking.

At a glance — New Zealand Visitor Visa — Tourist

Processing time
2–3 weeks (Immigration NZ publishes 80% within 14 days for Nepal lodgements).
Stay duration
6 months per visit (multiple-entry: 6 months in any 12-month period); single-entry up to 9 months over 18 months on case-officer discretion.
Visa validity
Up to 3 years multi-entry for repeat travellers with clean immigration history.
Entries
Single or Multiple.
Bank balance / financial proof
NZD 1,000 per month of stay (or NZD 400 per month if accommodation is prepaid). Bank statements 3–6 months. Plus property / business / employment ties demonstrating intent to return to Nepal.
Where to apply
Apply online via Immigration NZ portal (immigration.govt.nz/account/login); biometrics at VFS Kathmandu (Thamel) within 15 days of online lodgement.

Visa categories available

TouristVisitor Visa — Tourist

Tourism, sightseeing, holiday, visiting family / friends.

Stay
6 months per visit (multiple-entry: 6 months in any 12-month period); single-entry up to 9 months over 18 months on case-officer discretion.
Processing
2–3 weeks (Immigration NZ publishes 80% within 14 days for Nepal lodgements).

BusinessBusiness Visitor Visa

Business meetings, negotiations, conferences, exhibitions, trade missions — no employment in NZ.

Stay
3 months per visit; up to 9 months in any 18-month period on multi-entry profile.
Processing
2–4 weeks.

TransitTransit Visa

Transit through Auckland / Wellington / Christchurch airport en route to a third country.

Stay
Up to 24 hours airside; up to 96 hours if leaving the airport with a hotel arrangement.
Processing
1–2 weeks (often 3–7 working days).

MedicalVisitor Visa — Medical Treatment

Receive medical treatment / consultation in NZ, or accompany a patient as medical-support escort.

Stay
Per treatment plan; typically 3 / 6 / 12-month tranches.
Processing
Variable; urgent cases expedited (1–3 weeks); non-urgent 4–8 weeks.

StudentFee-Paying Student Visa

Full-time study at an NZQA-approved institution (University / Te Pūkenga / Private Training Establishment / School).

Stay
Duration of course + up to 3 months buffer.
Processing
Higher Ed 4–6 weeks · School / PTE 4–8 weeks. Recent grant rate for Nepali higher-ed applicants ~70–80%.

studentTraineePost-Study Work Visa

Open work rights for graduates of NZ qualifications — any employer, any job, anywhere in NZ.

Stay
Level 4–6 non-degree: 1 year (only if Level 5 nursing or qualification on Green List). Level 7–10 degree: 3 years (Bachelor / Master's) or 3 years (PhD). One-time grant per qualification level.
Processing
4–8 weeks.

WorkAccredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

Employer-sponsored skilled / semi-skilled work for an Immigration NZ–accredited employer in NZ. Replaced the old Essential Skills + Work-to-Residence + Talent (Accredited Employer) visas in July 2022.

Stay
ANZSCO Skill Level 1–3 (Median Wage NZD 31.61/hr+): up to 5 years. Level 4–5 below-median-wage: up to 3 years with mandatory 90-day stand-down between consecutive grants.
Processing
4–10 weeks (Job Check 10 working days + Migrant Check 4–8 weeks).

Multi-EntrySpecific Purpose Work Visa

Short-term, narrowly-scoped work in NZ for a specific event, project, contract, or installation — without going through the full AEWV accreditation chain.

Stay
Up to 3 years (most grants 3–18 months tied to the project / event).
Processing
4–8 weeks.

Family VisitPartnership-Based Visa (Visitor / Work / Resident)

Join a NZ-citizen / NZ-resident partner in NZ — visitor, work, or residence stream depending on relationship duration.

Stay
Visitor partnership: 6 months / 1 year. Work partnership: 1–3 years. Resident: indefinite (after 12 months living-together-stably).
Processing
Visitor / Work 4–8 weeks; Resident 6–12 months.

RetirementSkilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC)

Permanent residence pathway for skilled workers — NZ's flagship economic-stream Resident Visa. Six-points framework since October 2023; further reforms August 2026.

Stay
Indefinite (Resident Visa); Permanent Resident Visa available after 24 months meeting commitment criteria.
Processing
6–12 months (priority for Green-List Tier-1 occupations: 4–6 months).

DiplomaticParent Resident Visa (Tier-1 Parent Category)

Permanent residence for parents of NZ citizens / residents — Tier-1 priority queue (sponsor income above threshold) and Tier-2 ballot (lower income).

Stay
Indefinite (Resident Visa).
Processing
12–24 months for Tier-1 selected EOIs; Tier-2 ballot draws every 6 months.

Required documents — New Zealand tourist visa

  1. Nepali passport bio-page (3+ months validity beyond intended stay)

    Required
  2. Recent passport-size photo (45×35 mm, white background)

    Required
  3. Online Visitor Visa application (INZ 1188 equivalent) + form fees paid

    Required
  4. Bank statements (last 6 months, NZD-equivalent of 1,000/month minimum)

    Required
  5. Confirmed return ticket (or funds to purchase one)

    Required
  6. Hotel bookings / accommodation proof for full stay

    Required
  7. Travel insurance covering full trip (recommended, occasionally requested)

    Conditional
  8. Family ties evidence (marriage cert, children's birth certs — notarised English translations + MoFA Nepal apostille)

    Conditional
  9. Invitation letter from NZ host (if any) + sponsor passport / PR / citizenship copy

    Conditional
  10. Nepal Police Clearance (often requested for >3-month stays)

    Conditional
  11. Chest X-ray at IOM / Norvic / CIWEC (mandatory for 6+ month stays — Nepal is TB-higher-incidence)

    eMedical referral generated by Immigration NZ portal.

    Conditional
  12. ANY ONE income bundle — Business / Salary / Pension / Rental (only one needed)

    See per-bundle breakdown below — submit the bundle that matches your active income source.

    Required
  13. Income Details & Supporting Documents (For Visa Application)

    Important Notes: (1) All documents issued in Nepali language must be translated into English and notarised (certified by a notary public). (2) The applicant is required to provide documents for any ONE source of income only from the categories listed below.

    Required
  14. 1. Business Income

    Applicants involved in business must submit the following:

    Conditional
  15. PAN Certificate

    Permanent Account Number certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

    Required
  16. Business Registration Certificate

    Submit ONE of: (a) Company Registrar Certificate (for private/public limited companies), (b) Cottage / Small Industry (Gharelu) Registration, OR (c) Municipality / Ward (Wada) Registration Certificate.

    Required
  17. Additional Registration Certificates (if applicable)

    Sector-specific endorsements: (a) Tourism Board Registration for travel-related businesses, (b) Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Registration for financial institutions, (c) Contractor License from Municipality / Ward Office.

    Conditional
  18. Latest Audit Report

    Signed by a Nepal Chartered Accountants Institute (ICAN)–registered auditor, with company stamp.

    Required
  19. Tax Clearance Certificate

    Issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for the latest fiscal year.

    Required
  20. 2. Salary-Based Income

    Applicants who are employed must provide:

    Conditional
  21. Salary Certificate / Salary Letter

    On employer letterhead, signed and stamped — stating designation, joining date, monthly gross / net salary, and tenure.

    Required
  22. Leave Approval Letter

    Confirming sanctioned leave dates covering the full trip plus a buffer; signed by HR / authorised signatory.

    Required
  23. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer

    Confirming the employer has no objection to the trip and the applicant will return to duty after the leave window.

    Required
  24. Tax Clearance Certificate from IRD OR Tax Submission Letter from employer with tax statements

    Either personal tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Department for the latest year, OR an employer letter confirming TDS deduction + remittance with attached employee tax statement.

    Required
  25. 3. Pension Income

    Applicants receiving pension must submit:

    Conditional
  26. Pension Certificate (Pension Patta)

    Original Nijamati / armed-forces pension book issued by the Pension Management Office, plus copies of all entries.

    Required
  27. Company ID Card (if available)

    Photocopy of the former government / public-sector service ID card (front + back).

    Conditional
  28. Recent Pension Bank Statement

    Last 3–6 months of pension-account transactions showing regular monthly pension credits — original, signed and stamped on every page.

    Required
  29. Pension Receiving Confirmation Letter from Bank

    On bank letterhead, confirming the applicant's pension account, monthly credit amount, and account holder details.

    Required
  30. 4. Rental Income

    Applicants earning rental income must provide:

    Conditional
  31. Land Ownership Certificate

    Original + copy of the Lalpurja (land title deed) for the rental-yielding land / property.

    Required
  32. Building Completion Certificate

    Issued by the Municipality / Nagarpalika engineering office confirming the building is completed and fit for occupancy.

    Required
  33. Land and Building Tax Payment Certificate

    Latest fiscal-year payment receipts from Municipality (Nagarpalika) and Ward (Wada) office (malpot / bhumi-ghar tax).

    Required

New Zealand embassy in Nepal

Mission
New Zealand High Commission — New Delhi (consular jurisdiction over Nepal)
Address
Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India
Phone
+91 11 4688 3170
Hours
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 (visa enquiries via Immigration NZ contact form only).
Application centre
VFS Global New Zealand Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu — Chhaya Devi Complex, 1st floor, Thamel, Kathmandu (biometric collection + paper-application drop only — primary lodgement is online via Immigration NZ portal). Book at vfsglobal.com/newzealand/nepal.

Important notes

  • Every Nepali-language document MUST be accompanied by a notary-certified English translation — embassies will reject untranslated originals. Use a Nepal Bar Council–registered translator and have each translation notarised by a Notary Public.
  • Income proof for NZ visas: ANY ONE of the four Nepal-side income bundles is sufficient (Business OR Salary OR Pension OR Rental) — no need to submit all four. Pick the bundle that matches your active income source.
  • Nepali ordinary passport holders MUST apply for a New Zealand visa. NZeTA (Electronic Travel Authority) is NOT available for Nepal — Nepal is not on the visa-waiver list of 60+ countries.
  • All applications default to online via the Immigration NZ portal (immigration.govt.nz/account/login); biometrics and paper drop-offs at VFS Global NZ Kathmandu (Thamel).
  • There is NO New Zealand embassy or consulate in Kathmandu. All Nepal-origin applications are adjudicated by the NZ High Commission in New Delhi (Chanakyapuri) — VFS Kathmandu is a logistics partner only.
  • Health requirements: Nepal is on Immigration NZ's Tuberculosis-Higher-Incidence list — chest X-ray mandatory for any stay of 6+ months. Full medical (eMedical via NZ panel physicians) for stays of 12+ months. NZ panel doctors in Kathmandu: IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (Baluwatar), Norvic International Hospital, CIWEC Clinic.
  • English-language tests accepted: IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English C1/C2 Advanced, OET (health professions). Test centres in Kathmandu (Putalisadak, Maitighar, Kupondole) and Pokhara.
  • International Visitor Levy (IVL) of NZD 100 is added on top of the visa fee for most Visitor / Student / Working visas — auto-charged at portal checkout. Used to fund tourism + conservation infrastructure.
  • Working Holiday Visa (Subclass equivalents 18–30 / 18–35) is NOT available for Nepalis — no bilateral arrangement with New Zealand. Pursue Student Visa -> Post-Study Work Visa -> AEWV -> Skilled Migrant Resident pathway instead.
  • From 27 June 2024: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) tightened — minimum English requirement (IELTS 4.0 or 6 months equivalent skilled-work experience) for ANZSCO Level 4–5 roles, plus 90-day stand-down on consecutive low-skill renewals.
  • From 26 August 2024: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) 6-points framework — automatic-selection threshold raised to 6 points (was 4); Green List occupations gain Tier-1 (straight-to-residence) and Tier-2 (work-to-residence after 24 months) status.
  • Always disclose prior visa refusals (any country) — non-disclosure constitutes character risk under section 16 of the Immigration Act 2009 and triggers a likely refusal + future-application flag.
  • Nepal joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 14 March 2024 — Nepal-issued public documents apostilled by Nepal MoFA on/after that date are accepted by Immigration NZ without further legalisation.

Machine-readable version: /visa/new-zealand/markdown

Frequently asked questions

Common questions Nepali citizens ask before applying for a New Zealand visa — sourced from New Zealand's embassy and Yatra's submission desk.

How long does a New Zealand tourist visa take to process for Nepali citizens?

2–3 weeks (Immigration NZ publishes 80% within 14 days for Nepal lodgements).

What bank balance is required for a New Zealand visa?

NZD 1,000 per month of stay (or NZD 400 per month if accommodation is prepaid). Bank statements 3–6 months. Plus property / business / employment ties demonstrating intent to return to Nepal.

How many days can Nepali citizens stay in New Zealand on a tourist visa?

6 months per visit (multiple-entry: 6 months in any 12-month period); single-entry up to 9 months over 18 months on case-officer discretion. (Visitor Visa — Tourist).

Where do Nepali citizens apply for a New Zealand tourist visa?

Apply online via Immigration NZ portal (immigration.govt.nz/account/login); biometrics at VFS Kathmandu (Thamel) within 15 days of online lodgement.

What documents are required for a New Zealand tourist visa from Nepal?

Required documents include: Nepali passport bio-page (3+ months validity beyond intended stay); Recent passport-size photo (45×35 mm, white background); Online Visitor Visa application (INZ 1188 equivalent) + form fees paid; Bank statements (last 6 months, NZD-equivalent of 1,000/month minimum); Confirmed return ticket (or funds to purchase one); Hotel bookings / accommodation proof for full stay; ANY ONE income bundle — Business / Salary / Pension / Rental (only one needed); Income Details & Supporting Documents (For Visa Application).

Where is the New Zealand embassy in Nepal?

New Zealand High Commission — New Delhi (consular jurisdiction over Nepal) — Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India. Phone: +91 11 4688 3170.

Can Nepali citizens apply for a New Zealand business visa?

Yes — Business Visitor Visa. Business meetings, negotiations, conferences, exhibitions, trade missions — no employment in NZ. Processing: 2–4 weeks..

Is there an online portal to apply for a New Zealand visa?

Yes — apply online at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/account/login (Immigration NZ portal — universal online lodgement) · https://www.immigration.govt.nz (Immigration New Zealand) · https://visa.vfsglobal.com/npl/en/nzl (VFS Global NZ Nepal — paper applications + biometrics).

How is the New Zealand visa fee paid?

Visa, MasterCard, AmEx online via Immigration NZ portal; cash NPR / card at VFS Thamel for paper submissions and biometric service fee.

Can Yatra help with a New Zealand visa application?

Yes — Yatra provides end-to-end visa assistance for New Zealand including document preparation, appointment booking, application review, and a PNR-backed dummy ticket (NPR 999) when the embassy requires proof of onward travel.

Sources & last updated

Last reviewed:

Apply with Yatra

Document review, embassy submission tracking, and a real PNR-backed dummy ticket (NPR 999) when proof of onward travel is required — all in one place.