Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Short-term Entertainment Act Visitor Visa
Purpose	Short-term live entertainment acts
Stay	As needed for event
Cost	From NZD $441
Processing	80% within 2.5 weeks
Eligibility timing	Event dates or duration required
Work rights	Event work and overseas remote work
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health-care costs	Applicant pays own costs
Travel facility	Multiple entry condition required
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family inclusion	Partner and dependent children under 20
Family sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Visa record	Conditions recorded in eVisa
Application method	Apply online
Approved promoter	Required for entertainment act

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Purpose

This visa is for performers and crew travelling to New Zealand for a short-term live entertainment act or tour group promoted by an Immigration New Zealand approved promoter.

If the act is not organised by an approved promoter, apply for a work visa instead.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be a performer or crew member for the act.
• Have an invitation from an approved promoter.
• Have enough funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Intend to leave New Zealand when your stay ends.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Genuinely intend to follow visa conditions.
• Agree to pay any health-care costs.

Approved promoter evidence

Provide a letter from the approved promoter stating:

• Your name.
• Performance name.
• Your role.
• Performance dates, duration, or required stay.

A musician receiving gain or reward for a gig not organised by an approved promoter needs a work visa. Gain or reward can include payment, board, lodging, transport, goods or services.

Stay and travel

Your visa length is based on the event.

You must leave New Zealand before the visa expires.

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

Funds and onward travel

You must have:

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

Evidence may include bank statements, credit-card statements, bank drafts, traveller’s cheques, prepaid accommodation evidence, or a completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.

You must also hold a ticket to leave New Zealand, sufficient funds to buy one, or sponsorship for onward travel. You may need to show this evidence when checking in or arriving.

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

Work rights

You may:

• Take part in the approved entertainment event.
• Work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand.

You cannot do any other work.

Family provisions

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

For included family members, provide:

• Identity evidence.
• Evidence of genuine relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates.
• Health and character evidence.

Applicants from China should provide Hukou copies for included family members. Applicants from Hong Kong or Macao should provide identity-card copies for included family members.

Health and character

You must be in good health. Immigration New Zealand may require 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.

Applicants from China, Hong Kong or Macao applying in those locations must provide a chest X-ray issued within the last 3 months if they:

• Have spent 6 consecutive months in China since their last X-ray; and
• Will stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months.

You must be of good character. Police certificates are required if your total time in New Zealand will reach 24 months or more across all visits, or if requested.

Police certificates must:

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

Applicants aged 16 or younger do not need police certificates.

Required documents

Provide:

• One acceptable photo online, or two for paper applications.
• Passport or certificate of identity.
• Approved-promoter letter.
• Evidence of funds, sponsorship, and onward travel.
• Health or character documents if required.
• 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.

Additional identity documents apply to applicants from China, Hong Kong and Macao.

How to apply

1. Apply online through Immigration New Zealand.
2. Upload a passport copy and supporting evidence.
3. Provide country details to view applicable payment and submission information.
4. Send your passport later only if Immigration New Zealand requests it.

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

Arrival requirements

All travellers must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

• Air travellers can submit it from 24 hours before their journey begins.
• Sea travellers can submit it from 24 hours before their ship leaves its final overseas port.

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

Important warnings

Citizens of visa-waiver countries who meet this visa’s criteria do not need to apply before travel, but must hold an NZeTA.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa. You must maintain sufficient funds or sponsorship throughout your stay.