Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Antarctic Traveller Visitor Visa
Purpose	Transit to Antarctic work
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	NZD $0
Processing	80% within 2.5 weeks
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	Antarctica work; limited remote work
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health costs	Applicant pays own costs
Travel facility	Multiple entry conditions may apply
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Partner and dependent children included
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Application method	Apply online

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Purpose

This visa allows you to transit through New Zealand to work in Antarctica for a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty, as part of a scientific programme or expedition.

If you will work in New Zealand for a Contracting Party, you must apply for a work visa.

Eligibility

You must:

• Provide a support letter from a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty.
• Genuinely intend to meet your visa conditions.
• Agree to pay your own health care and medical-assistance costs.
• Meet identity and other visa requirements.

Support letter

The letter must:

• Come from the responsible authority of the Contracting Party.
• Confirm support for your Antarctic work under the Antarctic Treaty.

Stay and Processing

• Maximum stay: Up to 12 months.
• Cost: NZD $0.
• Processing: 80% of applications within 2.5 weeks.

Work Rights

You may work in Antarctica for a Contracting Party as part of an Antarctic Treaty programme.

While in New Zealand, you may be able to work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand.

You cannot work in New Zealand unless you obtain a work visa.

Family

You may include your partner and dependent children aged 19 or younger.

You must provide:

• Evidence of your relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates.
• Identity evidence for family members.

Your family members must be of good character and good health.

Required Documents

Provide:

• One acceptable photo for online applications, or two for paper applications.
• Your passport or certificate of identity.
• A support letter from the relevant Contracting Party.
• Certified full English translations for documents not in English.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand.

China applicants applying from China

Also provide:

• Hukou (household registration book).
• Chinese identity card.

Paper applicants must also complete INZ 1027.

Hong Kong or Macao applicants

Applicants applying within Hong Kong or Macao must provide an identity-card copy.

Paper applicants must also complete INZ 1220.

Application

Apply online through Immigration New Zealand.

For online applications, upload a passport copy. Immigration New Zealand will advise if your original passport is required later.

Paper applicants must provide an original passport or certified copy.

Arrival Requirements

Everyone must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

• Air travellers: Submit from 24 hours before travel begins.
• Sea travellers: Submit from 24 hours before the ship leaves its last overseas port.

Travel and Visa Conditions

Your conditions are recorded in your eVisa, visa label or visa letter.

To leave and return to New Zealand, you need valid multiple-entry travel conditions.

If you leave without multiple-entry conditions, your visa expires. Applicants applying from inside New Zealand normally receive multiple-entry conditions.

You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

Important Warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Do not meet character requirements.
• Have changed circumstances since your visa was issued.
• Refuse a photo, fingerprint or iris scan.