International delegates should be particularly aware of visa requirements. Please plan your travel well in advance and allow plenty of time to apply for a visa.
Visa Waivers
If you are using a passport from a country that has a visa waiver arrangement with New Zealand, you do not need to apply for a visa but you will still need to meet standard entry requirements. The first step is to check whether you hold a passport from a country that has a visa waiver arrangement with New Zealand.
Standard entry requirements If you are travelling to New Zealand under a visa waiver arrangement you must meet standard entry requirements, including being of good health and character, having evidence of outward travel (to a country that you have right of entry to), and sufficient funds for maintenance while in New Zealand.
Visa Applications
If you are using a passport from a country that does not have a visa waiver arrangement with New Zealand, you will need to obtain a visitor visa before travelling to New Zealand. You can NOT get an entry visa at the airport upon arrival. Your New Zealand Visa is obtained online through the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website.
Please be aware that Immigration New Zealand often face high demand with respect to visa applications. You must apply online for your visa at least 6 weeks before your intended travel date. In some countries, INZ does not have visa processing services so it is important that the applicants allow sufficient time for the passports to be sent to the appropriate office (if required) and returned to them.
Immigration New Zealand have provided a step-by-step guide with screenshots for completing an online application for a Visitor’s Visa.
Immigration-NZ-online-visa-application-step-by-step
Supporting documents
All of the following supporting documents must also be uploaded with the online application:
1.Passport size photo
- The photo must meet the requirements otherwise it will not be accepted. Photo requirements can be found here: immigration.govt.nz/acceptablephoto
2. Copy of passport bio page
- The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from New Zealand.
3. Application fee
- You will need to have a valid credit card to pay for the application online.
4. An invitation letter from the Tourism4SDGs19 organising committee confirming your participation in the conference
- Please refer the section below
5. Evidence of funds for maintenance and onward travel from New Zealand
- NZ$1,000 per month or NZ$400 if accommodation is prepaid.
- If all costs associated to your travel are being funded by a third party organisation, please include a letter with information on who will be covering your costs (i.e. your university or research institution) and what will be covered.
- Should you wish to spend a few days before or after the conference to holiday in New Zealand, you will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover emergency needs throughout your intended holiday.
6. Once your application has been submitted online, an automated message may appear requesting your original passport to be submitted to the relevant processing office. Instructions will be included in that message.
7. Immigration officers may request information in addition to those mentioned in the previous page. If additional information is requested, you must provide it to the case officer
Transit visa for Australia and other countries
If you intend to travel through Australia or any other country on your way to or from New Zealand it is important that you consider the visa requirements for these countries. Some nationalities are eligible to transit through Australia without a transit visa but others must hold a valid transit visa for Australia. More details can be found at: www.border.gov.au.
If you require a transit visa for Australia, it is your responsibility to obtain this before travelling. Please note that Australia will not grant a transit visa without confirmation that the New Zealand visa has been approved. This means that you should apply for your New Zealand visa as soon as possible.
Visa Support Letters
The organising committee can issue a Visa Invitation Letter to support with your visa application.
Please note that Invitation Letters will only be issued upon confirmation of registration and after full payment for registration fees has been received. In order to request the required documents to apply for a visa, please first complete Registration & Payment, then request the visa-application supporting documents using the online form.
You must include:
- Your registration email address
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- Your organisation
- Your position
- The physical address of your organisation
- Webpage of your organisation
- Your customer receipt reference number (You will find this on the registration confirmation email)
Visa Invitation Letters are only issued via email in PDF format and will be sent within approximately one week after your information is received by the Organising Committee.
Important information regarding Visa Invitation Letters (please read):
- Your name must be listed exactly as it appears on your passport. Any differences between the name on your passport and the name on your invitation letter or other documentation could lead to a delay and/or denial of your visa.
- Please note that each individual requesting an invitation letter must fill out a separate form. All letters will be sent in PDF form to the email address provided.
- The organising committee reserves the right to request further information regarding the institution or affiliation of the attendee to ensure the validity of requests. Speakers need not wait until their paper is accepted to request a Visa Invitation Letter.
- If participants withdraw from the conference after the issue of a Visa Invitation Letter, the respective consulate may be notified of the withdrawal accordingly.
Tourism and the SDGs 