The iVisa website showed that Thai Citizens no longer need a visa for NZ just an ETA. But.... trying to apply for one ended up in a 'no go' and must be applied for at the NZ Embassy and will take a good month and cost a lot. Anyone know how best to get one or recommendations for an affordable visa agent? Thanks

The New Zealand eTA application is quick and straightforward to complete. The online form will only take a matter of minutes to fill out and there will be no need to go to an embassy or a consulate. Have a look! 

The iVisa website is a commercial website and not always accurate.

 

The New Zealand eTA is only available to certain nationalities, according to their website Thailand isn't one of them. https://www.etanewzealand.com/visa-requirements/

 

The New Zealand Immigration website advises that a visa is required for Thai Nationals.

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/criteria/visitor-visa?nationality=nationality-THA&country=residence-THA

 

 

Apply for a visitor visa on line is straightforward; you need to create an online account (2minutes to do) and after applying online you will need to submit your passport to the company contracted to verify visa applications. You do not need to go in person unless specifically requested.

Your passport is returned to you in a couple of days.

Most Visitor visa applications are processed within a month with an average of around 2 weeks...so says the NZ immigration site.

Your visitor visa application is processed in China, NZ immigration in a short sighted move closed most of their visa processing offices around the world....

Student visas then went from 1 month processing to 2 years processing times.....

Do not book your ticket beforehand is the advice given online, but you can state intended travel dates and show money for tickets

This is a small problem if you intend to travel also to Australia on the same trip as they like to see confirmed travel plans....

Really no need to pay for a visa agent.....it is very straight forward and simple to apply online... but takes approximately 4 hours to complete and collate the required documents and upload ...

Thai passport holders need a visa to visit New Zealand. Tourist visas used to be processed overnight, then it was more like a week. Latest I have heard is that 2 to 3 weeks is the norm.

As said, for entry to New Zealand the NZ eTA is only required by citizens of countries that qualify for a visa waiver. Thailand is not on the list of visa waiver countries and therefore a visitors visa is required. With a visitors visa, an NZ eTA is not required.

 

However there may be some confusion because there is another list of countries that do require a visa to enter NZ but don't require a Transit visa in order to transit in NZ. Thailand IS on that list. To transit NZ without a visa, Thai citizens DO require an NZ eTA.

 

As casey1 has posted, the online application process is fairly straightforward but the processing times stated on the NZ Immigration website are not accurate. Currently it is taking 3-4 weeks for an application to even be assessed by an officer. There has been some controversy in the NZ media about Immigration processing times because the present government have broken a system that used to work very well.   

 

 

On 11/18/2019 at 9:39 PM, Lisa Evans said:

The New Zealand eTA application is quick and straightforward to complete. The online form will only take a matter of minutes to fill out and there will be no need to go to an embassy or a consulate. Have a look! 

Thailand is not on the list of eligible countries.

Yes, Thai's still need a visa. The speed with which it is processed depends a lot on the applicant and their background. I know someone who got their multiple entry visa in 5 working days. Cost has gone up to $246 now. Not the cheapest.

9 hours ago, Katipo said:

Yes, Thai's still need a visa. The speed with which it is processed depends a lot on the applicant and their background. I know someone who got their multiple entry visa in 5 working days. Cost has gone up to $246 now. Not the cheapes

Casey1

Perhaps you can clarify something for me please 

Does the Thai applicant need to open a Realme account?

 

1 hour ago, Deerculler said:

Casey1

Perhaps you can clarify something for me please 

Does the Thai applicant need to open a Realme account?

 

 

Yes that is required in order to setup an Immigration account to make an online application.

 

It is also possible to make a manual paper application through TT Services. In that case a Realme account is not required.

Thank you Casey1.

I want to take my G/F back to NZ sometime for a holiday.

Hopefully no problems with getting a holiday visa.

The onus is on you to prove your relationship status in visa applications... If you have not actually pressed the flesh very much in real, then be prepared to show how you keep in touch or how much you keep in touch....and when together in real take as many photos together as possible

It is a bit of a moot point when NZ immigration advise you not to book tickets until you have a visa, but then ask for confirmation of your outwards from New Zealand ticket...

I see you have been answered by others regarding REALME, NZ Government use this for many different departments, it's straightforward

Attitudes are a changing and romances starting from online dating becoming more readily accepted,,,

And of course if a Thai has very good education and good employment in Thailand,,,this counts for a great deal

 

 

 

Thanks very much.

Being a NZ'er I am already registered with Realme