Bona Fide Temporary Entry applicants
All people coming to New Zealand must genuinely intend to stay for a ‘lawful purpose’ (see below) for a temporary period of time.
A bona fide visitor will leave New Zealand before their permit expires and keep to the conditions of any permit granted.
‘Lawful purpose’ for visitors
We consider you to be coming to New Zealand for a lawful purpose if you are a visitor coming for the purposes of:
- holidaying
- sightseeing
- family and social visits
- amateur sport
- business consultation
- medical treatment.
As a visitor you may not work or attend a course of study or training, other than a single short course of study or training that lasts no more than 3 calendar months.
Genuine visitor/tourist
We consider you to be a genuine tourist if you’re a visitor who:
- is not working and has not worked in New Zealand
- has not held a student permit
- is not sponsored
- has enough funds to provide for your maintenance and accommodation costs.
Having spent 9 months in New Zealand, ‘genuine tourists’ may apply for another 3 months’ stay (making a maximum stay of 12 months) if they require more time to complete their travel.