China to New Zealand tourist visa
Complete New Zealand Visitor Visa requirements, fees, processing times, and approval tips for Chinese citizens. Since November 2025, a 12-month trial lets Chinese passport holders with a valid Australian visa travelling from Australia enter on an NZeTA instead of a visitor visa. Updated July 2026.
- Visa
- New Zealand Tourist Visa
- Fee
- NZD 441
- Processing time
- 80% within 1.5 weeks
- Length of stay
- Up to 6 months
Required documents
- Valid Passport — Your current passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand
- Online Application — Complete the visa application online through Immigration New Zealand’s portal
- Supplementary Form for Chinese Applicants — Additional form required specifically for applicants from Mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau
- Passport-Sized Photograph — Recent passport-sized photograph meeting New Zealand specifications
- Financial Evidence — Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay in New Zealand: at least NZD 1,000 per month, or NZD 400 per month if accommodation is prepaid
- Travel Plans — Details of your planned activities, accommodation, and travel within New Zealand
- Employment Evidence — Documentation proving your employment status, income, and approved leave
- Household Registration (Hukou) — Copy of your household registration booklet
- Chinese ID Card — Copy of your Chinese resident identity card
- Ties to Home Country — Evidence demonstrating strong reasons to return to China after your visit
How to apply
- Valid passport with 3+ months — Valid passport with 3+ months validity
- Chinese ID card copy (front — Chinese ID card copy (front and back)
- Household registration (hukou) copy — Household registration (hukou) copy
- Recent passport photo — Recent passport photo
- Financial evidence showing NZD 1,000+ — Financial evidence showing NZD 1,000+ per month
- Employment or education letter — Employment or education letter
Common questions
- Do Chinese citizens need a visa to visit New Zealand?
- Yes. Chinese passport holders must apply for a Visitor Visa before traveling to New Zealand. However, from November 2025, Chinese citizens with a valid Australian visa can enter New Zealand from Australia using an NZeTA instead.
- How long can I stay in New Zealand on a tourist visa?
- You can stay for up to 6 months on a multiple-entry visa, or up to 9 months on a single-entry visa. The multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 5 years, allowing visits totaling 6 months per year.
- What is the New Zealand tourist visa fee for Chinese citizens?
- The application fee for the Visitor Visa is NZD 441 (approximately CNY 1,950 or USD 254). This fee is non-refundable even if your application is declined.
- How long does New Zealand visa processing take from China?
- 50% of applications are processed within about 1 week, and 80% within about 2 weeks. The average processing time for Chinese applicants is currently 5 working days.
- What is the approval rate for Chinese applicants?
- Approximately 95% of Chinese visitor visa applications are approved, with a rejection rate of only 3–5%. Over 240,000 visitor visas were issued to Chinese nationals in 2024.
- How much money do I need in my bank account?
- You must show at least NZD 1,000 per month of intended stay, or NZD 400 per month if you have prepaid accommodation. This is in addition to funds for return flights.