New Zealand visitor visas are applied for online, so UAE residents don’t need to visit an embassy. What decides your route is your passport. Emirati citizens travel on an NZeTA, an electronic travel authority. Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Nigerian passport holders need a visitor visa. Almost everyone pays the NZD 100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) on top.
Checked on 21 October 2026 against Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Sources at the end.
New Zealand at a glance
| Emirati passport | NZeTA: NZD 17 in the app or NZD 23 on the website, plus NZD 100 IVL |
| Most other passports held by UAE residents | Visitor visa, applied online |
| Visitor visa fee | NZD 300 application fee + NZD 41 immigration levy = NZD 341 |
| Tourism levy (IVL) | NZD 100, non-refundable |
| Funds to show | NZD 1,000 a month, or NZD 400 a month if accommodation is prepaid |
| Where to apply | Online through Immigration New Zealand |
NZeTA or visitor visa?
| Passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | NZeTA (visa waiver) |
| UK, EU and other visa-waiver passports | NZeTA |
| India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria | Visitor visa |
Your UAE residence does not change which one you need. It only matters as evidence: a stable job and residence in the UAE help show you will return.
Visitor visa: step by step
- Create an account on the Immigration New Zealand website and start a Visitor Visa application.
- Upload your documents (list below). Scan them clearly in colour.
- Pay online: the visa fee and the NZD 100 IVL.
- Respond quickly if an immigration officer asks for more information.
- Receive an eVisa by email. There is no sticker in your passport.
Check the current processing time on the Immigration New Zealand website before you book flights. Apply well ahead of the December holidays.
Documents
- Passport valid for at least three months after you plan to leave New Zealand.
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Recent photo meeting INZ’s digital photo rules.
- Proof of funds: bank statements showing NZD 1,000 for each month of your stay, or NZD 400 a month if your accommodation is already paid. See our bank statement guide.
- Employer letter or NOC confirming your job, salary and approved leave. See our NOC templates.
- Onward or return travel booking.
- Travel plan with dates and places, and hotel bookings.
- If you visit family: an invitation letter and your relative’s status in New Zealand.
What it costs in total
| Item | Visitor visa | NZeTA (Emiratis) |
|---|---|---|
| Application | NZD 341 | NZD 17 (app) or NZD 23 (website) |
| IVL | NZD 100 | NZD 100 |
| Total | NZD 441 | NZD 117–123 |
The IVL is not refunded if your application is declined. Fees are taken from Immigration New Zealand’s fee table for rates from 1 October 2024; use the official Fee Finder to confirm the amount before you pay.
Mistakes to avoid
- Showing a balance that barely covers NZD 1,000 a month, with a large deposit just before the statement date.
- Booking non-refundable flights before the eVisa arrives.
- Forgetting transit rules: if you connect through Australia, you may need an Australian transit visa.
Questions people ask
Do Emiratis need a visa for New Zealand?
No visa, but they need an NZeTA before travel and must pay the NZD 100 IVL.
Can I apply for a New Zealand visa in Dubai?
You apply online from anywhere, including Dubai. There is no in-person submission for a standard visitor visa unless INZ asks for it.
How much money do I need in my bank for a New Zealand visa?
NZD 1,000 for each month of your stay, or NZD 400 a month if your accommodation is prepaid, plus your onward ticket.
Related guides
- Australia visitor visa from the UAE
- New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence from the UAE
- UAE bank statement for a visa
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand — Fee and levy table, rates from 1 October 2024: immigration.govt.nz
- Immigration New Zealand — Fees and levies: immigration.govt.nz
- MBIE — International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, information for visitors: mbie.govt.nz
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.