Applying for a New Zealand visitor visa with a Thai passport: documents, online steps, IVL and NZeTA for transit

Applying for a New Zealand visa is mandatory for Thai travellers. Immigration New Zealand says Thai passport holders need a Visitor Visa before they travel, because Thailand is not on the visa waiver list. You apply online, show you are a genuine visitor with enough funds, an onward ticket and a valid passport. An NZeTA covers transit only, not a holiday.

Do Thai passport holders need a visa for New Zealand?

Yes. Thai citizens visiting New Zealand for a holiday, to see family or for short business trips need a Visitor Visa before boarding. Immigration New Zealand does not list Thailand among its visa waiver countries, so an NZeTA on its own is not enough for a holiday. The only people who need neither a visa nor an NZeTA are Australian citizens, and permanent residents travelling on an Australian passport.

A multiple-entry Visitor Visa lets you stay up to 6 months in any 12-month period. A single-entry visa allows up to 9 months in an 18-month period. Paid work for a New Zealand employer is not allowed on a Visitor Visa, although Immigration New Zealand says remote work for an overseas employer may be allowed under its rules.

What documents do you need for a New Zealand visitor visa?

Every document should answer one question: are you a genuine visitor who will leave as planned? Immigration New Zealand lists these core requirements.

A common question is how much money you need in the bank. Immigration New Zealand sets a minimum funds figure per month and can change it, so check the current figure on the official site and attach bank statements that fit the length of your trip. If a relative in New Zealand sponsors you, upload the sponsor documents the system asks for.

How do you apply for a New Zealand visitor visa online?

The whole application runs on Immigration New Zealand's online system; there is no paper filing at the embassy. The usual order looks like this.

1. 1Create an accountRegister at apply.immigration.govt.nz with an email you check daily, because results and requests for more documents arrive there.
2. 2Fill in the form in EnglishEnter passport, travel plan, job and finance details that match every document you upload.
3. 3Upload documentsScan your passport page, bank statements, employment letter and bookings as clear files. Thai-language documents should come with English translations.
4. 4Pay the fee and IVLPay by card in the system; check the current rates on Immigration New Zealand's fees page.
5. 5Follow any extra requestsIf you are asked for your passport or biometrics, book a visa application centre appointment through VFS Global.

How long does a New Zealand visitor visa take to process?

There is no fixed number. Immigration New Zealand publishes visitor visa and NZeTA processing times in working days and updates them weekly, so read the current figure on its wait-times page before you book flights. It advises applying early, especially for travel between September and March, the peak season when many people apply.

What are the visa fee and the IVL levy?

There are two separate charges. The first is the visa fee, which Immigration New Zealand shows as a starting figure. The second is the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), a separate, non-refundable charge paid with most visitor visas and with the NZeTA. Partner and dependent visitor categories do not pay it. Check the current amounts on the official fees page.

Can Thais transit New Zealand with an NZeTA?

Yes, for a genuine transit. Thailand is on Immigration New Zealand's transit visa waiver list, so Thai passport holders can transit with an NZeTA, which must be issued before travel. Immigration New Zealand advises allowing up to 72 hours for it. An NZeTA is valid for 2 years and can be requested through the app or online.

• Visa-free transit works only through Auckland Airport (AKL); other New Zealand airports have no transit area.
• You must stay in the transit area for under 24 hours, and there is no accommodation there.
• You cannot collect your bags; use the International Transit Desk for baggage or boarding-pass issues.
• If your tickets are separate or you must collect bags and check in again, you pass immigration and need a Visitor Visa.

Where do Thais go for biometrics and passport submission in Bangkok?

The application itself is online, but if Immigration New Zealand asks for your passport, original documents or biometrics, book a visa application centre (VAC) appointment through VFS Global, whose New Zealand page lists Thailand. Check the current address and booking steps on the VFS Global site. The New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok, on the 14th floor of M Thai Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, does not process visas and refers all visa questions to Immigration New Zealand.

Why does mobile data matter while applying and travelling?

Immigration New Zealand's online system sends results and document requests by email, and card payments often need an OTP sent to your phone. On travel day, keep the visa approval email, hotel bookings and onward ticket ready to open on your phone. During a transit, data helps you check gates and airline messages. Setting up an eSIM before you leave gets you online as soon as you land, while your Thai SIM can stay on for SMS.

For help choosing a data option, read “Best eSIM for New Zealand 2026: which brand and how many days”. If you are thinking about a work visa instead, see “Working Holiday in New Zealand: Planning Guide for Thais”.

See New Zealand eSIM options