New Zealand•Oceania

Open

Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa

Tourist Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Application Fee

441 USD

Stay Duration

6 to 9 months

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Visitor visa for travellers arriving in New Zealand on a private yacht or aircraft, allowing up to 6 months (extendable to 12 for hurricane season or repairs).

The Private Yacht or Plane Visitor Visa from Immigration New Zealand is the visitor visa for people entering on a non-commercial yacht or aircraft. It covers owners, their dependants and crew, who must meet visitor character, health and bona fide intentions tests and either prove ownership and insurance of the craft or hold a letter from its owner or captain confirming onward departure on it.

Initial stay is up to 6 months, extendable to 9 months for refit or major repairs, or 12 months to wait out the South Pacific hurricane season. The fee is from NZD 441 and 80% of decisions are made within 5 weeks. Applicants must show NZD 1,000 per person per month, or NZD 400 if living aboard. Partners and dependent children 19 or under can be included; no NZ employment is permitted.

This visa is ideal for owners and crew of private yachts or small aircraft planning extended cruising or aviation in New Zealand, including crews waiting out the hurricane season.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant	6 months
Extendable up to	9 months

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Visiting New Zealand on a private yacht or private plane.

If leaving NZ on the same private craft, evidence of craft ownership and adequate insurance (owners) or a letter from the owner/captain confirming departure on that craft (crew and passengers).

If leaving NZ on commercial transport, an outward travel ticket or evidence of funds to buy one.

Funds of at least NZD 1,000 per person per month, reduced to NZD 400 per month if living aboard a yacht or with prepaid accommodation.

Good character (police certificates required if total stay reaches 24 months across all visits).

Acceptable health (chest X-ray if staying 6 months or more; medical certificate if 12 months or more).

Genuine intention to meet the conditions of a visitor visa (no NZ employment, no study beyond 3 months in any 12-month period).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

Min. Savings

4,800 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Visitor Visa application (online via RealMe, or paper form INZ 1017).

Valid passport or certified copy.

One acceptable photo (online) or two photos (paper application).

Evidence of funds: at least NZD 1,000 per person per month, or NZD 400 if living aboard a yacht or with prepaid accommodation; alternatively a completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025).

For owners (and their dependants) not leaving by commercial transport: evidence of craft ownership and adequate insurance against major damage.

For crew and passengers not leaving by commercial transport: letter from the craft's owner or captain confirming departure on that craft.

If leaving New Zealand by commercial transport: outward travel ticket or evidence of funds to buy one.

Chest X-ray if total intended stay is 6 months or more (or if from China/Hong Kong/Macao under specific conditions); medical certificate if 12 months or more.

Police certificates if total time in New Zealand across all visits will reach 24 months or more (applicants 16 and under exempt).

Supplementary form INZ 1027 (China) or INZ 1220 (Hong Kong/Macao) for paper applicants from those jurisdictions.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Dedicated visitor pathway for private yacht and small-aircraft arrivals into New Zealand.
Up to 6 months initial stay, extendable to 9 months for major repairs or 12 months for the hurricane season.
Modest funds threshold of NZD 400 per person per month if living aboard the yacht.
Partner and dependent children aged 19 or under can be included in one application.
80% of applications decided within 5 weeks.
No employer sponsorship or job offer required.
Application fee starts at NZD 441 — low cost relative to most NZ work or residence visas.

Worth Knowing

Owners must evidence craft ownership and adequate insurance; crew need a letter from the owner or captain.
Funds of NZD 1,000 per person per month required unless living aboard (NZD 400/month).
Police certificates required if total NZ time across all visits reaches 24 months.
Chest X-ray needed if staying 6 months or more; medical certificate if 12 months or more.
No path to permanent residence — must switch visa categories for longer stays or work.
Cannot work for a New Zealand employer or take up local employment under this visa.
Not for arrivals on scheduled commercial flights or cruise ships — those need an NZeTA or standard visitor visa.

Application Process

Confirm you must apply: crew of private yachts (and passengers from non-visa-waiver countries) need a visa rather than an NZeTA before travelling.

Gather evidence: passport, photo, proof of craft ownership and insurance (owners) or letter from owner/captain (crew/passengers), funds of NZD 400/month if living aboard or NZD 1,000/month otherwise, and an outward ticket or funds for one if leaving on commercial transport.

Apply online via the Immigration New Zealand portal (RealMe account required) or submit the paper Visitor Visa Application (INZ 1017); upload or attach the supporting documents.

Pay the application fee from NZD 441 and submit; Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of applications within 5 weeks.

On arrival, complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration and report to Customs and Biosecurity at the first port of entry.

Application Forms

INZ 1017 Visitor Visa Application form (paper). Online applicants complete the equivalent online form via the Immigration New Zealand portal.	Fill online
INZ 1025Optional Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry — only if relying on an acceptable sponsor for funds rather than personal evidence of funds.	Fill online

Verified Claims (10)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Confirm you must apply: crew of private yachts (and passengers from non-visa-waiver countries) need …	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 0 · currency	NZD	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown · 0 · label	Application fee	immigration.govt.nz
Forms	INZ 1017; INZ 1025	immigration.govt.nz
Forms · INZ 1017 · optional	false	immigration.govt.nz
Forms · INZ 1025 · optional	true	immigration.govt.nz
Official Info	https://immigration.govt.nz/visas/private-yacht-or-plane-visitor-visa	immigration.govt.nz
Required Docs	Completed Visitor Visa application (online via RealMe, or paper form INZ 1017).; Valid passport or c…	immigration.govt.nz

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