The criteria and evidence below will provide you with the information you need to meet the requirements.

Identity – You must provide proof of your identity

• 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if you use a paper application form.
• your passport or certificate of identity. If you submit a paper application, provide your original passport or a certified copy. We can usually process your application faster if you provide your original passport.

Note: If you are a citizen of China and you submit a paper application form in China, you must also complete a supplementary form. Also provide your: Hukou (household registration book)and Chinese identity card.

Health – You must be in good health
You may need to have a chest x-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your good health.

Note: You must provide a chest x-ray completed in the last 3 months, even if you’ve provided one to us previously, if: you have spent 6 consecutive months in China since the last x-ray certificate was issued, and you are now coming to NZ for more than 6 months.

Character – You must be of good character

You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character. If you are aged 17 or older and plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months (including any time you have already spent in New Zealand), you must provide police certificates from:

• any country you are a citizen of
• any country you have spent more than 5 years in since you turned 17.

Genuine intentions – You must genuinely intend to meet the conditions of your visa

When Visa Office decides if your intentions are genuine (bona fide), the visa officer considers all the information:

• you provide to support your application
• we have about your personal circumstances, and
• you provided in any previous applications.

Note: If you’re going to New Zealand to take up an offer of employment, you should apply for a Work Visa. If you’re going to New Zealand for a special purpose, such as a work requirement, or as a partner or family member, you should first consider the Special Visitor Category. If you want to conduct business while in New Zealand, you should apply for a Business Visitors Visa.

Evidence of genuine intention for Chinese applicants:

1. Evidence of your travel history
2. Provide a copy of your current and recent passports, including:

• the photo page, and
• all pages with visa records, and entry and exit stamps.

3.  If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, also provide a copy of the visa that entitles you to live in that country.

4. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide:

• a copy of the letter from that country’s immigration authority declining your application, or
• if the original letter is not available, a letter explaining the reason your application was not successful.

5. If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their:

• names
• contact addresses and phone numbers, and
•  their New Zealand visa or citizenship status.

6. Evidence of your work and living arrangements helps us decide if you are likely to return to your home country at the end of your visit. Depending on your circumstances, evidence could include:

• a letter from your employer approving your leave and confirming your return to work
• showing you are enrolled for study by providing a letter or student identity card from your school or other education provider
• a letter explaining your family ties in your home country
• a retirement certificate or evidence that you receive a pension.

Bring family – Your partner and dependent children must meet the requirements for this visa

To bring family:

• you must provide evidence of your relationship with them, like marriage and birth certificates
• you must provide proof of their identity
• they must be of good character
• they must be in good health.

Funds or sponsorship – You must have enough money to live on while you’re in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor

You must have at least NZ $1,000 per month, or NZ $400 per month if you’ve already paid for your accommodation. Evidence can include:

• proof of accommodation pre-payment, like hotel pre-paid vouchers or receipts
• bank statements
• credit card statements
• bank drafts
• travellers’ cheques
• a ‘Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry’ completed by an acceptable sponsor.

If you are sponsored, your sponsor must provide evidence they can look after you in New Zealand. Evidence can include:

• recent bank statements
• pay slips
• employment agreement
• accommodation ownership or payment of rent.

Health care – You must agree to pay your own health care costs

You must declare in your visa application that you’ll pay the costs of any health care or medical assistance you receive in New Zealand.

Onward travel- You must have a ticket to leave New Zealand or be sponsored for the cost of your onward travel

Evidence can include:

• proof you have enough money to buy a ticket out of New Zealand, in addition to the funds you have to live on – do not buy your ticket until your visa has been granted or we tell you that your application is approved in principle
• a ‘Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry’ completed by an acceptable sponsor.

If you are sponsored, your sponsor must provide evidence they can look after you in New Zealand. Evidence can include:

• recent bank statements
• pay slips
• employment agreement
• accommodation ownership or payment of rent.