Kia Ora! Finally the long wait for a direct link from Manila to Auckland will be over very soon as Philippine Airlines announces its upcoming flight to New Zealand via Cairns, Australia starting December 2015.
For the fans of The Hobbits and The Lord of the Rings, this is a welcome development as this means easy access to the Middle Earth. No need for a transfer from Australia, Singapore or Hong Kong.
More than the Hobbitons, New Zealand is indeed a dreamland… a surreal place! It is a mystical and picturesque nation blessed with dense native forests, mountains, islands and beaches, glaciers, thermal regions and fiords. A place where traditional culture and modernity beautifully intertwine. A perfect synergy of nature, culture and adventure. See the thermal wonderland of Roturua, trek to Tongariro National Park, hike the Franz Josef Glacier, explore Tabel Asman National Park, go bungy jumping in Auckland Bridge, catch the Aurora Australis in South Island, spend a day of adventure in Queenstown or cruise the Milford Sound. Whenever and wherever you may be in New Zealand, from North to South Island, there is certainly something amazing waiting for you!
For the purpose of tourism, Philippine passport holders require visitor visa to enter New Zealand. Worry not because application is easy and fee is only minimal for short stay visitor (less than 59 days), in fact you will only be paying for the processing fee of less than a thousand. According to New Zealand Immigration Website, a visitor visa allows one to stay in New Zealand as a visitor for a limited amount of time for the following purposes:
• To visit as a tourist
• To visit friends or relatives
• To play sport or perform in cultural events without pay
• To get married
• To undertake short-term study
To make it simple, here’s how I was able to obtain a New Zealand visitor visa.
Basic Requirements
1. Accomplished application form (downloadable from this link)
2. Passport valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand
3. Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand (travel ticket or written confirmation from airline of outbound New Zealand flight)
4. Proof of funds (cash, travellers’ cheques, bank statement or recognized credit cards with sufficient credit available)
5. Acceptable photo (two colored passport-sized, specifications on this link)
6. Provide a clear photocopy of all the original documents.
Supplementary Documents (Optional)
1. Certificate of employment
2. Certificate of Compensation Payment / Tax Witheld (BIR Form 2316)
3. Declaration by an acceptable sponsor or letter of invitation from friend or family based in New Zealand
4. Personal photos with the acceptable sponsor
5. Itinerary
Other Requirements
1. Medical Certificate (if staying for at least 6 months)
2. NBI/Police clearance (if staying for a total of 24 months or longer)
How or Where to Submit
Applying in Person
Application can be lodged personally or through an authorized representative at New Zealand Visa Application Center in Manila or Cebu via VFS Global Service Pvt Ltd:
Manila
VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc.,
Mezzanine Floor Unit M01, Ecoplaza Building,
2305 Chino Roces Avenue Extension Makati City, Metro Manila 1231
Cebu
VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc.,
9th Floor, Keppel Center, Unit 905, Samar Loop
cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue,
Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000
New Zealand Visa Application Center is open from Mondays thru Fridays, except for holidays mentioned in Consular Holidays, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Manila) and 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Cebu). Check out VFS Global website on this link.
Applying by Mail Courier
Visa applications are not required to be submitted in person to New Zealand Visa Application Center. They may send the visa application by their chosen courier company or opt for New Zealand Visa Application Center courier service to pick up the documents from the comfort of their own home or office, fee is P380.
For collection of passports and/or documents; you can self-collect at the New Zealand Visa Application Center or choose our return courier service for the documents to be delivered to your address. The fee must be paid when you submit the visa application, fee is P380. If you wish to avail of the two-way courier service, fee is P600.
Fee
The New Zealand Government has bilateral fee-waiver agreements with the Philippines. Citizens of the Philippines do not have to pay the visa fee of P5,620 if the application is made outside New Zealand and the period of stay does not exceed 59 days. However, for visits that intend to exceed 59 days, the visitor visa fee of P5,620 applies.
VFS Global Charges
Information and personal assistance on pre-lodgment requirements are available free of charge. A handling fee to cover administrative cost & one-way courier delivery service is however assessed as follows:
Visa Lodgment Services
P760.00 per application (exclusive of courier charges)
Courier Delivery Charges
P380 one-way
P600 two-way
Payment can be made on cash or credit card over the counter at VFS Global Services or via bank transfer to:
Bank Transfer Account Name: VFS Services Phils. Private Inc
Account Number: 634-3-634-360922
Bank Name: Metrobank
Branch: Pasong Tamo Extension
Processing Time
Processing time takes at least three working days. Should the New Zealand Immigration needs more information and supplementary documents, they will get in touch with you through phone call or email. Your passport and visa will be delivered to your mailing address as soon as the decision on your application has been completed.
Personal Experience and Tips
Personally speaking, getting a New Zealand visitor visa is easy. For my part, I just completed the necessary requirements – valid passport, accomplished and signed application form with photos, certificate of employment, bank certificate, photocopy of my company ID, Certificate of Compensation Payment / Tax Witheld (BIR Form 2316), itinerary of my travel and the invitation from a friend in New Zealand (with attached bank statement). The invitation wasn’t really necessary for short stay visit. Make sure to photocopy all the documents including the information page of your passport.
Then I walked-in to their visa application center in Makati to lodge my application and pay the processing and courier fee in cash, no appointment necessary. It took me only an hour (during my lunch break in the office) for the whole process. Thankfully, they have no noon break.
After three working days, my New Zealand visitor visa was already delivered on my mailing address. I was given a one (1) year multiple entry.
Summary
New Zealand Visa Application Center summarized the process of application into five easy steps:
- Determine what visa class you require for your travel (Information is available at www.immigration.govt.nz/)
- Fill out the appropriate visa application form/s (Forms may be downloaded at www.immigration.govt.nz/forms)
- Complete the required Application Form
- Gather all supporting documents required based on the visa being applied for (Checklists of Requirements for each particular visa type is available at www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/manila/checklists)
- Lodge the Visa Application
- Book for a roundtrip Courier Service
This service is a phone-in option that includes the pick up of the completed Application Form and supporting documents from the applicant’s given address and delivery after processing at the Embassy. This service is available nationwide and involves a flat rate; roundtrip courier fee. If you wish to avail of this option, please contact the embassy Call Center at (02-8459222)
- Direct Lodgment at the VFS Global
This is a walk-in option where an applicant or an authorized representative can directly submit the completed Application Form and supporting documents at the New Zealand Visa Application Center. This option involves a lodgment service & handling fee which includes the one-way delivery by courier after processing. If you wish to avail of this option, please visit the VFS Global Centers in Manila or Cebu.
- Book for a roundtrip Courier Service
*Updated 16-Jun-2016
hello po, kung mag tutourist po sa NZ atleast how much po ba dapat ang funds mo sa bank? dahil diba need mo magpakita ng bank certificate? at ok lang ba if yung pera na nasa bank ay few months palang nakadeposit?
Hi po, my husband is working at new zealand as Dairy Farmer particulately at north island.He is a Filipino citizen. He planned to get me here to move in the new zealand . Ask lang po if anong visa ang pwede ko e.apply? Yung Visa na hindi for visit lang.Maybe next year he will get me na with our kids.Thanks.
Hi All,
Okay lng po ba maging 1st time traveller sa NZ? Pero may relative naman po ako sa NZ papasponsor po ako. Wala pa po ako napupuntahang bansa i workd pla sa uae.
Hello po.. Good morning! I just want to ask about my visa application. I am being sponsored by a friend, she sent me all needed documents like
(1)Sponsorship form for Temporary Entry INZ1025 (with declaration by sponsor signed by my sponsor and the authorized person to take statutory declarations)
(2)Immigration Confirmation for overseas visitor sponsorship (Like a bank statement from NZ under my sponsor’s name)
Accomplished application form (downloadable from this link)
(3) Passport valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand
(4) Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand (travel ticket or written confirmation from airline of outbound New Zealand flight)
(5)Acceptable photo
(6)Provide a clear photocopy of all the original documents.
(7) COE
(8) Leave of Absence Letter
(9) NBI/Police clearance
I just want to know if these documents are enough to get a visa..
Thank you so much..
Hi po my name is Joy naguguluhan po kasi ako. I have a relative po in NZ may sponsorship na po ako while I was in saudi..I Grant ba nila visit visa kahit wala po ako Job ngayon kasi galing po ako ng saudi kauwi k lang last Oct.. And how much po ba ang kelangan na pera sa bank acct… Is required talaga na may bank acct or pwedi cash in hand..gusto ko po kasi mag visit this Oct… Ang nag sponsor sakin is my family married sya kiwi dun po ako mag stay..
Thank you po
.
Hi,
Does my hotel booking confirmation need to cover the length of my stay in NZ? Is it okay if it’s just for a day or two? I plan to couchsurf on the remaining days of my stay.
Thanks.
Hi I just wanna ask if you got a call from the New Zealand Embassy on those 3 working days for some interview. Thanks in advance!
Hi I am planning to apply for visit visa this month.
Is is possible to be granted a visa if my document is just my bank certificate? i just finished my contract on work and currently unemployed.
I’ve been travelling every year naman. is that enough for me to be given a visit visa?
Hi,
I’d like to ask, My sister is sponsoring my stay there and i already have tickets. So my girlfiend is actually Kiwi, and i’m visiting to meet my sister and my gf’s family and relatives and plan our wedding there. At the moment i have a job in the Philippines. Anung documents i-upload ko for the bona fide evidence?
good day! im seperated almost 7 years.my boyfriend ako from new sealand at laging pabalik balik siya sa phillipines gusto niya akong kukunin /ano po kaya ang visa na garanted makuha ako niya.at ano mga requirements. kong tourist visa?magkano po dapat account ..can you pls answer those questions.im looking forward the reply. thank you..
Hello,
ask ko lang po. I am married but separated for 7 yrs. I have a boyfriend from NZ who is going to sponsor me for a visitors visa. is it advisable na i check ko sa application form na separated even though Im not legally separated? hindi ba ko ma question dito? we have photos together when my boyfriend visited me here in the Philippines.
Hi,
I recently applied for New Zealand tourist visa but got denied since they said that I do not have sufficient proof that i will only stay temporarily there. Cay you help me with examples of proof that I am a bona fide applicant? As proof, I submitted my COE, Letter from employer that my leave is approved, bank statements, I even have pre purchased travel tickets
Hi do u have a sponsor in Nz? Kc mag aaply ako this month..wala ako bank statement pero may sponsor ako..may work nman ako kya lng walang ipon hehe
Hi, Kamil.
May i know what are the requirements you submitted?How much do you have in your bank?So i can assess.
Hi po need sana help nyo.. my business enterprises po ako dito pinas & planning to apply as tourist visa sa new zealand for 1 month, pa help sana kung ano mga requirements or documents na kailangan ko for the application po . slamat.. sana matulungan nyo po ako
Hi, Harry.
Please disregard COE and Declaration in supplementary documents and replace it with these requirements:
(1) Copy of Business Documents from SEC or DTI
(2) Copy of Mayor’s Permit
(3) Copy of Recent ITR with Official Receipt from BIR
Kindly refer basic requirements mentioned above.
Take note NZ Visa application should be lodged in VFS not in VIA.
VFS is the new application center starting June 2016(if im not mistaken).
hi po.. tanong lang sana.. im working here sa pinas pero mag apply sana ako ng tourist visa sa new zealand to attend an interview sa inapplyan ko na work dun, ano po kailangan na mga papers & magkano po ba ang need sa bank account ko po… sana matulungan nyo po ako
Hi, Harry.
As what i have known, you can find a work(attend interview) in NZ while having a NZ Visit Visa. Just to ask, are you going to disclose in your application that you will attend an interview or not?
hi good morning maam, ask lng po plan po kc ng husband ko na mag apply ng residence visa na kasama na po kmi family nya d2.. paano po b dapat nmin gawin? since he’s holding now all the supporting docs needed.. ang sb nya po kc sakin is medical lng ang need nmin gawin d2.. thanks po in advance.. hope for the reply.. and by the way can i have po contact number po ng new zealand embassy here in manila.. big thanks maam…
Hi, Eloisa.
Di ako masyado pamilyar sa Resident Visa. Please refer nalang NZ immigration site. Andoon lang ng details. Kindly click this link
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa
Pili ka lang kung ano visa apply mo tapos ibibigay nila kung ano needed mag apply at mga restrictions.
NZ Embassy contact number: (02) 234 3800
Hi. Your blog + comments here are very informative. I just applied for nz tourist visa last july 22. I submitted online then just sent my passport to them. July 26 bumalik na sakin ung passport ko through courier pero walang stamp or even a letter. Just the passport. Does that mean denied ako? Still have to wait till monday to contact vfs for inquiry. Thanks.
Hi! I just lodged my tourist visa application yesterday and I got a notice from VFS that the processing is underway. Could you have been issued an evisa like that of Australia instead of the normal labeled visa on the passport?
So I just got my passport back. I was hoping for an evisa but I got a labeled one instead. Oh well, I won’t be choosy. Hehehe! Glad with their four-day turnaround time.
So I just got my passport back. I was hoping for an evisa but I got issued a labeled one instead. Oh well, I won’t be choosy anymore. Hahaha! Satisfied and glad with their four-day turnaround time. =)
Hello po. Hinihintay ko lang po yung sponsorship form ko from my cousin before ako magpasa ng application ko. Ask ko lang po if statement of acct. Is different from certificate of funds? And i am working in a government, anu po ba pinakamatibay na evidence para masure ko na babalik ako? Salmat po..
Hi, Raychiel.
Sorry for the late response.
Statement of Account po is the Billing Statement while
Certificate of Funds is the Bank Certificate(or other sources of funds as proof kung saan ichacharge ang Trip expenses mo for NZ).
Hi po ask ko lng pag pra visa po ang requirements na medical exam at chest xray ay pwede kunin sa hospital? Thanks
Hi Marx.
If may work ka naman – provide COE at the same time may sponsor ka din naman sa NZ – provide proofs. Hindi naman required ang photo with you and the sponsor but it will really help hasten the processing. Needed ang COE kasi yan ang isa sa proofs na you have strong ties sa Phils, meaning babalik ka kasi may obligation ka pa dito sa Pinas which is yung work mo. The more supporting documents you will submit, the bigger the chance your NZ visa will be approved.
Hi Jef,
Thank you for the reply.
How about kung sa New Zealand mismo ipaprocess yung Visa ko? kasi nag hire kmi ng Solicitor there in New Zealad to process may VISA? may idea ka ba about the process?
Hope to hear from you. Than yo very much.
Hi Jef,
Thank you for the reply.
How about kung sa New Zealand mismo ipaprocess yung Visa ko? kasi nag hire kmi ng Solicitor there in New Zealad to process my VISA? may idea ka ba about the process?
Hope to hear from you. Than yo very much.
Hi Marlx , naghire dn ako ng solicitor to process my papers,, sya na mismo nagsubmit online may pinirmahan lng ako na documents na ipinagkakatiwala ko sa knya ung pagpapass ng papers.. he submitted it last Monday then nung tuesday ipinasa ko na ung original passport ko sa VFS tpos tumawag sakin ung immig officer sa Manila for some questions lng nman 🙂 .. ngayon nghihintay nlng ako ng decision.. magrant sana visa ko 😭😭😭
Hi Joyjoy,
Thank you for the info.
So yung solicitor mo ba is base in NZ din? actually di pa naman na paprocess visa ko. my Partner and I are still working for some docs. na kelangan namin. can you give me some details sa mga tanong sayo? thank you :).. and i hope na magrant po yung VISA mo and also yung sakin soon. salamat po. and yung Passport mo? pinasa mo sa VFS?sa makati po ba na office yan?
can i have ur email nlng po? message nlng kita
hi, can you recommend me a solicitor to process my visa in NZ?Thank you very much!
hi maam good day! nabasa ko lng po ung comment nyo na tumawag s inyo immigration from manila, can i have the contact number maam? i just have some concerns to ask po… Thanks in advance…
hi how was ur visa?
hello po sir, kailang po bah yong leave vacation approved nah galing sa employeer mo, to support na may obligation kapang babalikan sa pinas??
Hi, Emelie.
Yes, Approved Leave of Absence is a must. Otherwise, close to disapproval ang visa mo.
hi..nsa christchurch nz husband ko nag work as a carpenter…paano po process pra makuha nya ko…thank u
Hi, Mary Joy Maratas.
Please see requirements above. Additionally, sa part ng husband mo or sponsor mo sa NZ, you have to submit the ff:
(1) Affidavit of Support – sponsor
(2) Letter of Invitation – sponsor
(3) Bank Certificate – sponsor
(4) Bank Statement – sponsor
(5) Passport/Visa – sponsor
(6) Marriage Contract – sponsor
The more supporting documents, the better.
Hi,
Ask ko lang sana kasi may nakita ko na one of the needed documents which yung personal photos with the possible sponsor? Is that really needed? Papaano po kung wala kung photo with my friend na magsponsor sakin? And kailangan po ba talaga na may mga certificate of employments ka kahit may mag sponsor na sayo? Please help. Naguguluhan kasi ako at also natatakot madenied kapag nag apply ako visa this july. Im planning to visit new zealand this september.
Hi, Marlx.
If may work ka naman – provide COE at the same time may sponsor ka pa sa NZ – provide proofs sa part ng sponsor. Hindi naman required ang photo with you and the NZ sponsor but it will really help hasten the processing. Needed ang COE kahit may sponsor ka kasi yan ang isa sa proofs na may strong ties ka sa Phils, meaning babalik ka pa sa Pinas dahil may obligation ka pa which is yung work mo. The more supporting documents you will submit, the bigger the change your NZ visa will be approved.