Planning a New Zealand Getaway for Christmas and New Year Holidays or Chinese and Lunar New Year? Here is your Visa Guide!
计划在圣诞和新年假期或中国春节期间前往新西兰度假吗？这是您的签证指南！
New Zealand (NZ) is renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant culture, making it a popular destination for tourists and those visiting family. If you are looking to escape the winter chill in the Northern Hemisphere during the Christmas/New Year holidays or planning a trip to visit loved ones during the Chinese New Year, NZ offers the perfect warm-weather getaway.
新西兰以其壮丽的自然风光、多样的野生动植物和丰富的文化闻名，是游客和探亲者的热门目的地。如果您打算在圣诞节/新年假期期间逃离北半球的冬季寒冷，或计划在春节期间探亲访友，新西兰是一个温暖的度假胜地。
For those from non-visa waiver countries, a General Visitor Visa or Parent/Grandparent Visitor Visa may be required. With recent updates to visa requirements, we are here to guide you through the process and offer tips to make your application smoother.
对于来自非免签国的游客，您可能需要申请普通访问签证或父母/祖父母访问签证。由于最近对签证要求的更新，我们将为您提供申请过程的指导和一些实用的申请建议。
General Visitor Visa 普通访问签证
The General Visitor Visa is for individuals wishing to visit NZ for a short period for tourism or family visits. This visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 or 9 months within an 18-month period (depending on whether the visa is single or multiple entry).
普通访问签证适用于希望短期访问新西兰的个人，用于旅游或探亲。该签证允许您在18个月内在新西兰停留最多6至9个月（取决于签证是单次入境还是多次入境）。
Basic Requirements 基本要求：
Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date from NZ. 有效护照：您的护照必须在计划离开新西兰之日起至少三个月内有效。
- Genuine Intentions: You must demonstrate that your visit is temporary and provide clear plans for returning to your home country. 真实访问意图：您需要证明您的访问是临时的，并提供明确的回国计划。
- Sufficient Funds: You need to show evidence that you have enough money to cover your stay in NZ, which can be demonstrated through bank statements or other financial documents. 充足的资金：您需要提供足够资金支持在新西兰的停留，这可以通过银行对账单或其他财务文件来证明。
- Proof of Onward Travel Arrangements: You must provide evidence of your travel plans, such as a return ticket or onward travel arrangements. 有证据的后续旅行安排：您必须提供您的旅行计划，如返程机票或后续旅行的安排。
- Health and Character: In some cases, applicants may need to undergo medical exams to prove an acceptable standard of health and provide police certificates to prove good character. 健康和品行：在某些情况下，申请人可能需要进行健康检查以证明其健康状况，并提供无犯罪记录证明。
- English Translations: If any of your documents are not in English, certified English translations must be provided. 英文翻译：如果您的文件不是英文的，必须提供经过认证的英文翻译件。
Parent/Grandparent Visitor Visa父母/祖父母访问签证
NZ offers a special visitor visa for parents and grandparents of NZ citizens or residents. This visa allows visits of up to six months at a time, with a total stay of 18 months over a three-year period (or four-year period in the case of nationals of the United States of America or five-year period in the case of nationals of the People’s Republic of China).
新西兰为新西兰公民或居民的父母和祖父母提供特殊访问签证。此类签证允许每次访问最长6个月，总计18个月的停留时间（美国国民可以停留四年，中国国民可以停留五年）。
Basic Requirements: 基本要求：
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure date from NZ. 有效护照：您的护照必须在计划离开新西兰之日起至少三个月内有效。
- Sponsors: Your sponsor must be a NZ citizen or resident. 担保人：您的担保人必须是新西兰公民或居民。
- Relationship to Sponsor: The sponsor must be your child, grandchild, or the parent of your child/grandchild. 与担保人的关系：担保人必须是您的子女、孙子或您子女/孙子的父母。
- Multiple Visits: The visa allows for multiple entries, providing flexibility to visit NZ several times over three years. 多次访问：此签证允许多次入境，提供了在三年内多次访问新西兰的灵活性。
- Health and Character: A chest X-ray and medical examination are required. In some cases, police certificates may be needed to prove good character. You or your sponsor must agree to cover your healthcare costs. 健康和品行：需要进行胸透和体检。在某些情况下，可能需要提供无犯罪记录证明。您或您的担保人必须同意支付您的医疗费用。
- English Translations: Certified English translations are required if any documents are not in English. 英文翻译：如果文件不是英文的，必须提供经过认证的英文翻译件。
Application fee and processing timeframe申请费用和处理时间
Please note that application fees are non-refundable, so ensure all documents are submitted correctly to avoid delays or rejections.
请注意，申请费用不予退还，因此请确保正确提交所有文件以避免延误或拒签。
- Application Fee: The online application fee for Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is NZD $441, which includes a NZD $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Additional fees may apply for paper applications or if using third-party visa service providers. 申请费用：新西兰移民局的在线申请费用为441纽币，其中包括100纽币的国际游客保护和旅游税（IVL）。纸质申请或使用第三方签证服务提供商可能会产生额外费用。
- Processing Timeframe: Processing times vary depending on INZ’s workload. Currently, General Visitor Visas are typically processed within four weeks, while Parent/Grandparent Visitor Visas take up to three months. 处理时间：处理时间取决于新西兰移民局的工作量。目前，普通访问签证通常在四周内处理，而父母/祖父母访问签证则需要长达三个月的时间。
Maximum duration of a General Visitor Visa
Please double-check your visa conditions once your application is approved. A multiple-entry general visitor visa may allow the holder to enter NZ and stay for a maximum of six months within a 12-month period before the end of the current stay. This is referred to as the “6 in 12 months rule”.
Also, if the visa holder wishes to extend their stay, they must not have been in NZ for more than nine months in the preceding 18-month period at the time of submitting the application. This is known as the “9 in 18 months rule”.
If you are unsure which rule applies to your situation, feel free to contact us for clarification.
Common pitfalls and tips常见陷阱和建议
The INZ process can be detailed, so give yourself enough time before your travel date. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to help you through your visa application. If you need specific advice, feel free to contact our team—we’re always happy to help.
新西兰移民局的申请过程可能比较复杂，因此请在旅行日期之前留出足够的时间。以下是一些常见的陷阱和建议，以帮助您顺利完成签证申请。如果您需要具体的建议，请随时联系我们的团队——我们随时乐意为您提供帮助。
- Ensure Your Passport is Valid: Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from NZ. This applies to any family members or children traveling with you. Provide a clear, scanned copy of the photo page of your passport with all the necessary information. 确保护照有效：请确保您的护照在离开新西兰之日起至少三个月内有效。这也适用于与您同行的家人或孩子。提供护照照片页的清晰扫描件，并附上所有必要的信息。
- Submit an Acceptable Visa Photo: Your visa application must include a recent photo (taken within the last six months) that meets INZ’s specifications. An unacceptable photo may cause delays, so ensure it follows the guidelines. 提交合格的签证照片：您的签证申请必须包含符合新西兰移民局规格的近期照片（在过去六个月内拍摄）。不合格的照片可能会导致延误，因此请确保照片符合要求。
- Double-Check Your Information: Ensure all personal details in your application (name, passport number, date of birth) are accurate and match your passport exactly. Small errors can lead to delays, especially when boarding your flight. 仔细检查信息：确保申请中的所有个人信息（姓名、护照号码、出生日期）与护照完全一致。小错误可能会导致延误，特别是在登机时。
- Demonstrate Genuine Intentions: You can strengthen your application by including documents like proof of employment, property ownership, return flight tickets, or a letter explaining your intentions. If you apply offshore and do not provide sufficient evidence to satisfy INZ you are a genuine visitor, INZ do not have to give you an opportunity to respond to their concerns and can decline your visa application. 证明真实访问意图：您可以通过提供就业证明、房产所有权、返程机票或解释信来加强申请。如果您在境外申请，未能提供足够证据证明您是访客，新西兰移民局可能不会给您回应其疑虑的机会，并可能拒绝您的签证申请。
- Provide Certified English Translations: From 17 June 2024, all supporting documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. 提供认证的英文翻译件：从2024年6月17日起，所有支持文件都必须附有经过认证的英文翻译件。
- Show Sufficient Funds or Sponsorship: You must provide evidence that you either have sufficient funds to support your stay in NZ or have an acceptable sponsor. 显示足够的资金或担保：您必须提供证明，显示您有足够的资金支持您在新西兰的停留，或有合格的担保人。
Message for applicants给申请人的信息
Applying for a General Visitor Visa or a Parent/Grandparent Visitor Visa can be straightforward if you follow the correct steps and submit all required documents accurately.
如果您遵循正确的步骤并准确提交所有所需文件，申请普通访问签证或父母/祖父母访问签证是相对简单的。
If you need tailored advice, do not hesitate to contact our team before booking your flights. We are here to help you streamline your visa process, allowing you to enjoy your trip to NZ without unnecessary delays.
如果您需要量身定制的建议，请在预订机票前随时联系我们的团队。我们会帮助您简化签证流程，避免不必要的延误，让您尽情享受新西兰之行。
Using a licensed immigration advisor or lawyer can increase the chances of your application being approved. Beware of unlicensed people – we have heard many horror stories from applicants who have used unlicensed people, such as forging supporting documentation, providing misleading information to INZ and applying for the wrong visitor visa type. This can affect future visa applications and result in visa applications being declined and denied boarding to travel to New Zealand. It is important to get it right from the start!
咨询执牌顾问或律师可以提高申请批准的几率。请提防无执照的人员——我们听过很多申请人使用无执照人员的恐怖经历，例如伪造支持文件、向新西兰移民局提供误导信息以及申请错误的签证类型。这会影响未来的签证申请，并导致签证申请被拒绝以及被拒绝登机前往新西兰。因此，务必要从一开始就做对！
Safe travels, and enjoy your time in New Zealand! 祝您旅途愉快，尽情享受在新西兰的时光！
Please note that this article not a substitute for legal advice and you should contact your lawyer about your specific situation. Please contact us by email immigration@parryfield.com or by phone 03 348 8480, if you have any questions.
请注意，本文不构成法律建议，您应就您的具体情况联系您的律师。如有任何疑问，请通过邮箱 immigration@parryfield.com 或电话 03 348 8480 联系我们。
