German Law Student Visitor Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	German Law Student Visitor Visa
Purpose	Unpaid law-firm observation
Stay	Up to 6 months
Cost	From NZD $441
Processing	80% within 2.5 weeks
Eligibility timing	Not stated in the source
Work rights	No paid New Zealand work
Remote work	May be possible overseas employer
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health-care costs	Applicant must pay
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
Required offer	New Zealand law-firm offer

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Purpose

This visa is for German law students or law graduates visiting New Zealand as an unpaid observer at a New Zealand law firm.

You must have a written offer for a temporary unpaid observer position of no more than 6 months.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be a German law student or law graduate.
• Have a written offer from a New Zealand law firm.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to meet visa conditions.
• Have enough funds, an acceptable sponsor, or both.
• Have onward travel arrangements or funds.
• Agree to pay your own health-care costs.

Stay, Cost and Processing

• Maximum stay: 6 months.
• Visa cost: From NZD $441.
• Processing: 80% processed within 2.5 weeks.

Actual application process and costs may depend on nationality details.

Rights and Conditions

Work

You cannot do paid work in New Zealand on this visa.

You may be able to:

• Volunteer.
• Work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand.

Health Care

You must declare that you will pay for any health care or medical assistance received in New Zealand. Full medical insurance is recommended for the entire visit.

Funds

You must have:

• At least NZD $1,000 per month, or
• At least NZD $400 per month if accommodation is prepaid.

Acceptable evidence may include bank or credit-card statements, bank drafts, traveller’s cheques, prepaid accommodation evidence, or an acceptable sponsorship form.

Onward Travel

You must have:

• A ticket out of New Zealand; or
• Enough money to buy a ticket to a country you can enter; or
• An acceptable sponsor covering onward travel.

Unless your visa letter or label says “Return/onward travel not required”, you must have onward travel arrangements whenever travelling to New Zealand.

Travel Conditions

You need valid multiple-entry travel conditions to leave and return to New Zealand.

• Applicants applying from inside New Zealand will normally receive multiple-entry conditions.
• If you leave without multiple-entry conditions, your visa expires.
• Check your eVisa, visa label or visa letter for travel conditions.

Visa Expiry

You must leave New Zealand before the visa expires.

Family Provisions

You may include:

• Your partner.
• Dependent children aged 19 or younger.

Family members must provide identity evidence and meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements. They may instead apply for separate visas.

You must show that your relationship with included family members is genuine.

Required Evidence

Provide:

• One acceptable photo for online applications, or two for paper applications.
• Passport or certificate of identity.
• Written offer from a New Zealand law firm.
• Evidence of funds, prepaid accommodation, or sponsorship.
• Onward ticket, onward-travel funds, or sponsorship.
• English translations for documents not in English.

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

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

Health and Character Evidence

Immigration New Zealand may request a chest X-ray, medical examination, or both.

Normally:

• A chest X-ray is not required for stays under 6 months.
• A medical certificate is not required for stays under 12 months.

Police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more across all visits, or if Immigration New Zealand requests them.

Police certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Be from countries of citizenship or where you lived over 5 years since age 17.

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates. Previously submitted certificates may be reused if less than 24 months old.

Application Steps

1. Obtain a written unpaid observer offer from a New Zealand law firm.
2. Gather identity, financial, onward-travel and supporting documents.
3. Arrange English translations where required.
4. Apply online through Immigration Online.
5. Provide further health, character or passport evidence if requested.

From 24 September 2026, new applications for most visitor visas must be submitted through enhanced Immigration Online.

Arrival Requirements

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

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

Customs and Biosecurity requirements also apply.

Important Warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Are not a genuine visitor.
• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have changed circumstances since visa grant.
• Refuse biometric collection.
• Cannot show required onward-travel evidence or funds.

Immigration New Zealand may ask to see evidence of funds when you arrive.