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Business travel could be the reason some visitors come to New Zealand. Businesspeople and entrepreneurs can enter New Zealand to conduct certain business practices based upon specific visas.

New Zealand Business Visa Basics

You’ll need to get a Business Visitor Visa if you wish to visit New Zealand for business purposes, including:

  • Carrying out an official trade mission recognized by the New Zealand government
  • Selling or buying goods and services in New Zealand
  • Negotiating or discussing the setup, expansion or wind-up of a business in New Zealand
  • Carrying out any business with authorized representatives of an overseas company, body or person

If you plan to carry out any other work activities or stay longer than three months, you need to apply for a work visa.

You must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand or have the financial support of your employer.

New Zealand Business Visa Types

There are several types of work visas to consider.

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Entrepreneur Work Visa

An Entrepreneur Work Visa is for experienced business people who want to work in their own business in New Zealand.

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Entrepreneur Resident Visa

The Entrepreneur Resident Visa is for those who have been self-employed in New Zealand at least six months, or have operated a self-employed business for two years on another visa.

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New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

The NZeTA applies to those who are from a visa-waiver country or territory, such as the United States. Business travelers from those countries would not need a Business Visitor Visa. However, a NzeTA must be obtained before traveling to New Zealand.

What are the Steps for Getting a Business Visa for New Zealand?

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1. Understand the Requirements

Each type of business visa has specific eligibility requirements that you must meet to apply. Review and understand them fully before beginning the application process. For example, the Entrepreneur Work Visa requires a minimum capital investment, a business plan, and relevant business experience. Check the full eligibility criteria for the type of visa you’re applying for on the New Zealand Immigration website.

2. Have Your Paperwork in Order

For your specific visa application, prepare your required documents in advance for submission. While visa requirements can differ, required paperwork can typically consist of a valid passport, health and character documents, proof of your ability of being able to financially support yourself and any dependents during your stay in New Zealand, and evidence of your business and investment, among others.

3. Apply for Your New Zealand Business Visa

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a New Zealand visa. Start your visa application process.

How to Apply for a New Zealand Business Visa Online

Whether you’re looking for a regular visa or e-Visa, Entriva is here to make the process fast and simple. Here’s all the information you’ll need to provide for us to complete your visa application form:

  • Personal information (full name on passport, nationality, address, date of birth, email, phone number, gender, etc.)
  • Passport information (number, expiration date, place of issue, date of issue, etc.)
  • Type of visa (regular or e-Visa)
  • Location of closest Vietnam embassy or consulate
  • Travel dates
  • Port of arrival and expected port of departure
  • Information on any current or previous e-Visas or visas for New Zealand travel
  • Emergency Contact/Family details (names, addresses, email, phone, nationality, etc.)
  • Two photos and copy of passport page (see Required Documents below for more information)
  • Copy of business card and/or invitation letter from Vietnamese company
  • Payment information for processing fees

You can check the status of your visa on your personal Traveler Hub.

New Zealand Business Visa Documents

The following are the necessary documents you’ll need to apply for a business visa to New Zealand. All supporting documents should be in PDF format.

  • A valid passport with two blank pages (passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the visa application date)
  • Scanned copy of passport bio page, clearly showing personal details and photo
  • Two digital photos in JPG format, minimum size 10 KB and maximum size 1 MB; photo should be equal height and width, no borders
  • Scanned copy of business card
  • Invitation or support letters from a New Zealand company(s)

New Zealand Business Visa Validity

  • Business Visitor Visa: Valid for up to three months
  • Entrepreneur Work Visa: Valid for up to three years
  • Entrepreneur Resident Work: Valid indefinitely
  • NzeTA: Valid for two years

New Zealand Business Visa Fees

The government fee for a New Zealand work visa varies by country. Some additional processing fees and bank transaction fees may apply.

  • Business Visitor Visa: from NZ$211
  • Entrepreneur Work Visa: from NZ$3,920
  • Entrepreneur Resident Visa: from NZ$6,680
  • NzeTA: from NZ$17

In addition to mandatory government fees, Entriva charges amongst the industry’s lowest handling fees, starting at just $50.

Booking a visa with Entriva ensures you get the right visa in time, every time. Start your visa application now to receive a quote.

FAQs About New Zealand Business Visas

Here are some commonly asked questions about New Zealand Business Visas:

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How long does it take to get a Business Visa?

Processing times vary based on certain factors. For example, a Business Visitor Visa applied for online by a traveler from the United States with a US-issued passport could take 14 days, on average. Under the same conditions, an Entrepreneur Work Visa could have an average processing time of within seven months.

Can I renew or extend my Business Visa?

Not with a Business Visitor Visa. You’re required to leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

If you’re in New Zealand and need to stay past your visa’s expiration date, you must apply for another visa or a temporary visa before your current one expires. Along with being in New Zealand, you must hold a current visa that’s not a limited, interim, or transit visa. You should apply for another visa at least one month before your current visa’s expiration date.

Can I apply for a business visa upon arrival in New Zealand?

If you are a citizen of a visa-waiver country traveling to New Zealand for business reasons, you do not need to apply for a visa before you arrive. However, you must have an NZeTA. You also need to meet the entry requirements for visitors from visa-waiver countries.

If you’re from a country that requires a visa—meaning you’re from a country not on the visa-waiver list—you must apply for a Business Visitor Visa before you travel if you are staying for less than three months, and here for acceptable business reasons.

Can I engage in work or employment on a business visa?

With a Business Visitor Visa, no. You can’t work in New Zealand on this type of visa, but you can carry out the specific business for which you were granted a visa. However, there are New Zealand visas that permit working or employment, including the Entrepreneur Work Visa.

How long can I stay in New Zealand on a business visa?

The duration of stay allowed on a business visa depends on the visa type and the validity specified. Typically, the Business Visitor Visa is common for short-term business purposes. If you require a longer stay or multiple entries, you may consider the NZeTA or the Entrepreneur Resident Visa or the Entrepreneur Work Visa.

Is the business visa a multiple-entry visa?

The Business Visitor Visa in New Zealand is valid for up to three months. If you plan on traveling in and out of New Zealand on a regular basis, your application will need to be for a multiple-entry business visitor visa.

Can I convert a tourist visa to a business visa while in New Zealand?

If you’re already in New Zealand and have a visa, you can reapply for the same visa or apply for a different one.

How far in advance should I get my New Zealand Business Visa?

It’s recommended to apply for your New Zealand Business Visa at least a month or two in advance.

Is a business visa the same as an employment visa?

No. You can’t work in New Zealand on a Business Visitor Visa, but you can carry out the specific business for which you were granted a visa. However, there are other visas that permit employment.

Where do I keep my business visa while traveling?

Keep a print copy of your business visa and your passport in a safe place. International travel document holders will help keep all your essential documents in one place.

Other New Zealand Visas

If your purpose for visiting New Zealand isn’t to conduct business, there are other visa types available, including the New Zealand e-Visa, student visa, working holiday visa, and visitor visa. We can help with that too.

Preparing for Your New Zealand Trip

Obtaining the proper documentation is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a New Zealand visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to New Zealand, such as travel restrictions, health and safety, and culture and traditions, visit our New Zealand content hub.