Occupational Registration Visitor Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Occupational Registration Visitor Visa
Purpose	Obtain New Zealand occupational registration
Stay	Up to 3 months
Cost	From NZD $441
Processing	80% within 2.5 weeks
Age	18 or older
Eligibility timing	Registration training under 3 months
Work rights	No New Zealand work
Study	Registration training up to 3 months
Medicare	Pay own health care costs
Travel facility	Multiple entry condition required
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Partner and dependent children included
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Funds required	NZD $1,000 monthly minimum
Application method	Apply online

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Purpose

This visa lets you come to, or remain in, New Zealand to obtain New Zealand occupational registration.

Internationally qualified nurses may complete a Competence Assessment Programme (CAP) or Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Training for registration must take less than 3 months. If it will take more than 3 months, apply for a student visa.

Philippine nurses with a Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora job offer and CAP acceptance should apply for a Specific Purpose Work Visa instead.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be 18 or older.
• Be eligible for the relevant New Zealand registration process.
• Have completed enrolment requirements, including any English-language requirements.
• Provide written confirmation from the appropriate registration body.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to meet visa conditions.
• Have sufficient funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Have onward travel arrangements or funds.
• Agree to pay your own health-care costs.

Stay and Visa Conditions

You may stay for up to 3 months.

While in New Zealand, you must:

• Complete only practical or educational registration training.
• Keep sufficient funds or sponsorship.
• Maintain onward travel arrangements or funds.
• Leave before your visa expires.
• Follow all conditions shown in your eVisa, visa label, or visa letter.

Work and Study Rights

Work

You cannot work in New Zealand.

You may be able to work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand.

Study and Training

You can undertake occupational-registration training for up to 3 months.

If training exceeds 3 months, you need a student visa.

Funds and Sponsorship

You must show at least:

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

Evidence may include:

• Prepaid accommodation receipts or vouchers.
• Bank or credit-card statements.
• Bank drafts or traveller's cheques.
• A completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.

A sponsor must show they can support you, for example through bank statements, payslips, an employment agreement, or accommodation evidence.

Health Care

You must declare that you will pay any health-care or medical-assistance costs received in New Zealand.

Full medical insurance for the visit is recommended.

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

Character

You may be refused a visa if you have criminal convictions or pose a security risk.

Police certificates are required if your total stay in New Zealand will be 24 months or more across all visits, or if requested. Certificates must:

• Be less than 6 months old when submitted.
• Cover countries where you are a citizen.
• Cover countries where you lived over 5 years since age 17.

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates.

Family Provisions

You may include:

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

Provide relationship evidence, identity evidence, and evidence that included family members meet health and character requirements.

Required Documents

Provide:

• One acceptable photo for online applications.
• Passport or certificate of identity.
• Written registration-body confirmation.
• Funds or sponsorship evidence.
• Onward-ticket or onward-funds evidence.
• English translations for documents not in English.

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

Additional identity documents apply to Chinese citizens applying from China and applicants applying within Hong Kong or Macao.

Application Steps

1. Obtain confirmation of eligibility from the relevant registration body.
2. Gather identity, financial, onward-travel, health, character, and family documents.
3. Apply online through Immigration Online.
4. Pay the applicable visa fee.
5. Provide further information or medical evidence if requested.

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

Arrival and Travel

Before travel, complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration:

• Air travellers: from 24 hours before the journey begins.
• Sea travellers: from 24 hours before departure from the last overseas port.

You may be refused entry permission if you are not a genuine visitor, no longer meet requirements, refuse biometrics, or cannot show required onward travel or funds.

To leave and return to New Zealand, you need a valid multiple-entry travel condition. If you leave without one, your visa expires.