EFFECTIVE November 21,
all South Africans visiting
or transiting through New
Zealand must have a
visitor or transit visa before
travelling to the country.
Currently, SA travellers
are granted a visitor visa
on arrival. As a result of
the change, all SA passport
holders will have to apply for
a visa before departure.
Online applications are
done individually at a cost
of NZ$165 (R1 634) each.
Visitors applying in paper
form can include all their
family members in their form
for a single fee of NZ$165
(R1 634) until November 20.
From November 21, paper
applications increase to $184
(R1 822). All South Africans
submitting paper applications
can do so through VFS Global
in Cherry Lane Office Park in
Pretoria.
“The length of the visitor
visa is usually up to three
months, but can be as long
as nine,” VFS Global told
TNW, “however, visitors
wanting to stay that long
have to request this in their
application as the embassy
ultimately determines the
length of the visa granted.”
SA nationals passing
through New Zealand as
transit passengers will need
to apply for a transit visa
before travel, unless they
are travelling to Australia
and hold a valid visa for
the country. With the transit
visa, travellers can stay in
the transit area of Auckland
International airport for a
maximum of 24 hours.
Biometrics will not be
required for either the visitor
visa or transit visa.
South Africans travelling
to New Zealand before
November 21 will be granted
a visitor visa on arrival – valid
for up to three months –
provided they meet standard
requirements, which include
having sufficient funds, an
outward ticket and satisfying
the immigration officer they
genuinely intend a visit.
