New Zealand•Oceania1 month
441 NZD
3 months
Yes
Not Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Short-stay NZ visitor visa for overseas-employed academics invited by a NZ tertiary institution for up to 3 months of teaching, research, or programme management.
The Academic Visitor Visa is a short-stay visa from Immigration New Zealand for academics invited by a NZ tertiary institution to teach, research, or undertake academic management. It targets applicants who stay employed by an overseas institution, sidestepping the labour-market and accreditation rules of standard work visas. A formal invitation letter and proven expertise are mandatory.
Stays are capped at 3 months per calendar year; longer stays require a separate work visa. The fee is from NZD $441 and 80% of applications are processed within 5 weeks. Applicants must show NZD $1,000 per month in funds (NZD $400 if accommodation is prepaid), plus onward travel and standard health and character documents. Partners and children 19 or under apply for their own visitor visas.
This visa is ideal for overseas-employed academics with a NZ tertiary invitation for a short teaching, research, or programme-management visit.
| Initial grant | 3 months |
Hold a formal letter of invitation from a New Zealand tertiary education institution to undertake teaching, education, professional management, or research.
Be well-qualified in your field and either currently employed, or previously employed, by an overseas academic or research institution.
Hold a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand.
Have sufficient funds to live on during your stay: NZD $1,000 per month, or NZD $400 per month if accommodation is prepaid, or an acceptable sponsor.
Have an onward travel ticket out of New Zealand, or funds to purchase one, or a sponsor covering onward travel.
Meet health requirements; a medical examination or chest X-ray may be required depending on stay length and country of origin.
Meet character requirements; police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand will reach 24 months.
Agree to pay your own health-care costs while in New Zealand.
Intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your authorised stay.
Education
bachelor or higher
Min. Savings
3,000 EUR
Valid passport (at least 3 months beyond planned departure).
Identity photo (1 if applying online, 2 if applying on paper).
Letter of invitation from the New Zealand tertiary education institution stating activities, dates, and your role.
Evidence of academic qualifications and current or recent overseas academic employment.
Evidence of funds — bank statements, pay slips, accommodation evidence, or sponsorship documents (NZD $1,000/month, or $400/month if accommodation prepaid).
Onward travel ticket or evidence of funds to purchase one.
Medical certificate or chest X-ray if required for your stay length or country of origin.
Police certificates (less than 6 months old) if cumulative NZ stays will reach 24 months.
Certified English translations for any document not in English.
| Application Steps | Obtain a formal letter of invitation from a New Zealand tertiary education institution stating activ… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Categories | work | immigration.govt.nz |
| Dependent Visa | Partner and dependent children (19 or under) may apply for their own visitor visas; children may stu… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fee Breakdown | Visa application fee (from): 441 NZD | immigration.govt.nz |
| Forms | Online visa application (apply.immigration.govt.nz) | immigration.govt.nz |
| Job Offer Required | false | immigration.govt.nz |
| Application Portal | https://apply.immigration.govt.nz/ | immigration.govt.nz |
| Official Info | https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/visiting-academics-visitor-visa | immigration.govt.nz |
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