New Zealand visa requirements for Kenyans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Kenyans visiting New Zealand

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a New Zealander Visa.

  • A Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended arrival date into New Zealand.
  • Visa application form which has been correctly filled and signed by the applicant.
  • Two recent (35mm x 45mm) passport-sized photographs. The passport should show full face and follow the standard specifications for a visa application.
  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Copy of return flight ticket
  • Medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay in New Zealand.
  • Proof of civil status
  • Travel itinerary

New Zealand Visa for Kenyans

Facts about New Zealand

New Zealand is a sovereign island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island, and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands. It has a total land area of 268,000 square kilometers.

Tourists are not allowed to enter the country with some food items so as prevent pest infestation in the country. Also, fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish cannot be carried along into the country from a foreign country.

Types of New Zealand Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 27 days 90 days
Student visa 27 days More than 90 days
Work visa 27 days More than 90 days

General Requirements for New Zealand Visa

  • A Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended arrival date into New Zealand.
  • Visa application form which has been correctly filled and signed by the applicant.
  • Two recent (35mm x 45mm) passport-sized photographs. The passport should show full face and follow the standard specifications for a visa application.
  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Copy of return flight ticket
  • Medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay in New Zealand.
  • Proof of civil status
  • Travel itinerary
New Zealand Tourist visa New Zealand Student visa New Zealand Work visa

New Zealand Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Applicants on a tourist visa can visit friends and family residing in New Zealand and also explore and enjoy any adventurous activity while in the country.
  • Applicants of this visa must possess an original passport valid for at  least three months beyond the applicant's departure date from New Zealand.
  • The passport-sized photographs used for the visa application must meet the following guidelines:
    • 35mm x 45mm in size
    • Must be in color
    • Must be recent (not taken later than 6 months)
    • The background color should be a light color, although white is not acceptable.
    • Do not wear the same top as the color of the background.
  • If you intend visiting family and friends in the country, a letter of invitation from your host in New Zealand is required. Information in the letter should include the home address, telephone number, and a copy of a valid means of identification of the host.
  • Tourist travelers to New Zealand are not allowed to study full-time in the country. Holders of the tourist visa are only allowed to study for a period of not more than three months.
  • The tourist visa is renewable. You can apply for a multiple-entry visa.
  • A letter from your employer confirming the awareness and allowance of your leave is required. The letter should also include your job position, the company’s address, how long you have been employed, and the duration of your leave.
  • If you are under the age of 18 years, the original copy of your birth certificate should be provided. If minors are traveling without their parents or with one of their parents, a letter of consent signed by both parents should be provided.
  • Foreigners applying for this visa are to show proof that they have the incentive of returning to their home country once their visa expires. New Zealand authorities take this regulation seriously because of the rate of illegal immigrants in the country.
  • Applicants must show proof they have enough money to finance their stay while in New Zealand.
  • Proof of good character must be provided -- usually in the form of a police clearance. It is harder for people with a criminal record to be issued a New Zealand visa.

New Zealand Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • With the student visa, foreigners are allowed to study full-time in any institution of their choice in New Zealand.
  • Kenyans applying for this visa must have been accepted into one of New Zealand's recognized institutions.
  • An admission letter from the institution you have been accepted into must be provided. The letter should state the course title, duration and if possible all the study fees applicable. 
  • Students are to provide certificates and transcripts of the previous schools they attended.
  • To study in New Zealand, Kenyans must take and pass an English language proficiency test (either PTE or IELTS).
  • For PTE, the applicant's score must fall between the range of 43-50 while for IELTS, a minimum overall band score of 5.5 is acceptable.
  • International students in New Zealand can work part-time for 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time when school is on break.
  • Student travelers to New Zealand must be able to demonstrate they have enough funds to comfortably spend between $800 - $1000 every week during their entire stay in the country.
  • The New Zealand student visa costs $35 to process.
  • Initially, you may get 90 days for your student visa, but this can easily be extended to cover the entire duration of your study.
  • If you’re spending six months or more here in New Zealand you may need to be screened for tuberculosis.
  • It is possible to apply for a residence permit at the end of your study program in New Zealand.
  • Dependent children of temporary work visa holders in New Zealand also need a student visa.
  • This entitles them to attend New Zealand primary and secondary schools as domestic students (meaning they are not required to pay international student tuition fees).

New Zealand Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa allows Kenyans to take up a job while in New Zealand.
  • Those eligible for this visa are those who have been offered a job in New Zealand and are available to work.
  • Whether you are a sports player, a professional coach, specialist installer or home maintenance worker, you will need a work visa to legally work in New Zealand.
  • The passport used in your application must be original and valid for at least three months beyond your stay in New Zealand.
  • For a New Zealand work visa to be issued, the applicant must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
  • Work visa applicants are not allowed to bring along children. It is advised that the visa holder should have worked for at least 2 years before having dependents.
  • Your offer letter from the New Zealand employer should be provided during the visa application process.
  • The letter should contain the company’s address, your full job description as well as proof that you will not be paid below the minimum wage stipulated by New Zealand.
  • Your employer should also provide proof that there was no New Zealand citizen available for the job you were offered.
  • A proof of your health insurance must be provided.
  • Proof of good character must be provided -- usually in the form of a police clearance. It is harder for people with a criminal record to be issued a New Zealand visa.
  • Kenyans who do not have the appropriate qualification for the job they were offered will not be issued this visa.
  • After getting the work visa, you can then apply for a residence permit.

New Zealand Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

211.00 (NZD)

Student visa

275.00 (NZD)

Work visa

245.00 (NZD)

New Zealand Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Kenya

Location

Address

Pretoria

Cherry Lane Office Park, 1st Floor, 114 Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria, South Africa

https://wwww.vfsglobal.com/newzealand/southafrica/

info.nzza@vfshelpline.com

+27 12 425 3004

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Yes, Kenyans need a visa to visit New Zealand.
When can I apply for a work visa in New Zealand?
To apply for a work visa, you need to have been offered a job in the country.
What is the processing fee for a New Zealand tourist visa?
Kenyans are required to pay around NZ$211 to get their tourist visa application processed.
Can I extend my New Zealand tourist visa?

Yes, you can extend your tourist visa for a further three months after your visa has expired.

How long is a New Zealand tourist visa valid for?
The New Zealand visitor visa is valid for three months.
Gratien Sibomana

1 year ago

Hello m'y namwe is Gratien SIBOMANA from Burundi,I which a visa to apply for work in New zeland

hi my name is issa abukar intresting to visit new zea land?
Hello am Isaac from kenya , which visa to apply for work in new Zealand and how much?
Is there a visa type by name job seekers visa??
In what category of visa would an invitation to speak at a conference fit into.?
How can I get a new Zealand visa??