New Zealand Diplomatic Visa Guide

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Key Takeaways:

The New Zealand Diplomatic Visa is for domestic workers employed by diplomats or consular officials in New Zealand.
Eligibility criteria include age, health, character, genuine intentions, employer statements, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval.
Application involves form completion, document submission, fee payment, and adherence to visa conditions such as employment restrictions and no studying.

Complete Guide to Obtaining the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa

If you’re planning to work as a domestic worker for a diplomat or consulate official in New Zealand, you’ll need to secure the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa. This guide will provide you with all the necessary information to navigate the application process smoothly.

What Is the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

The New Zealand Diplomatic Visa is specifically designed for domestic workers to provide services for their employers during their diplomatic, consular, or official assignments in New Zealand. With this visa, you can stay in New Zealand for the same duration as your employer’s posting. However, this visa restricts your employment to domestic work only. You’re not allowed to engage in other types of employment while on this visa.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

To be eligible for the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

Age

You must be 18 or older to apply for this visa.

Health

You must be in good health. Depending on your length of stay, you may need to provide a chest x-ray or undergo a medical examination.

Character

You need to be of good character. This often means you’ll need to submit a recent police certificate.

Genuine Intentions

You must have genuine intentions to meet the conditions of the visa. This includes sticking to your employment as a domestic worker.

Statement of Undertaking

A ‘Statement of Undertaking’ completed by your employer is mandatory.

Declaration of Acceptance

A signed ‘Declaration of Acceptance’ is required.

Ministry Approval

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand must allow you to apply.

Employer Waiting Period

If you have worked for another employer previously, you must wait three years before you can work for a different employer in New Zealand.

What Are the Types of Domestic Work You Can Do?

Once you have the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa, your employment is limited to the following domestic roles:

Cook
Nanny
Driver
Gardener

It’s important to note that administrative or technical roles are not permitted under this visa.

What Are the Required Documents for a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

To apply for this visa, you need to prepare several important documents:

Passport

You must provide your original passport or a certified copy. The passport must be valid for at least three months from the date you plan to leave New Zealand.

Photos

Two recent photos of your head and shoulders are required. These must meet New Zealand visa photo requirements—4.5 cm high and 3.5 cm wide.

Police Certificate

A police certificate that isn’t older than six months is necessary. If it’s not in English, an English translation must accompany it.

Chest X-Ray and/or Medical Examination

Depending on your length of stay and the country of origin, a chest x-ray or a medical examination may be required.

Statement of Undertaking

Your employer must complete a ‘Statement of Undertaking’ agreeing to hire you for domestic work only and covering your living costs and return travel.

Declaration of Acceptance

A signed ‘Declaration of Acceptance’ indicating that you understand and accept the employment conditions.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Approval

The Protocol Division of the MFAT must confirm that your employer is authorized to bring domestic staff and does not object to your visa application.

How to Apply for a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

Follow these steps to apply for the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa:

Complete the Application Form (INZ 1015): Ensure that all the required information is filled out using capital letters in English.
Prepare the Required Documents: Gather all necessary documents, including the application form, Declaration of Acceptance, Statement of Undertaking, the application fee, and other supporting documents.
Pay the Application Fee: Fill out section J of the application form with your credit card details. You can make the payment using Visa or MasterCard.
Submit Your Documents: Find your nearest Visa Application Center, which could be in another country, and book an appointment with VFS Global. Submit your application in person.
Wait for a Decision: Immigration New Zealand will notify you if additional actions are required. If your current visa expires while your application is processed, you will be granted an Interim visa.

What Are the Fees for a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

The fees for a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa differ based on your country of application:

Application Cost: NZ $635 — $775
VAC Service Cost: NZ $45 — $75
Courier Cost: NZ $13 — $190

These fees may vary depending on the specific type of visa.

What Conditions Must Be Met After Receiving the Visa?

Once granted the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa, you must adhere to the following conditions:

Entry Permission: Complete the Passenger Arrival Card and submit it with your passport upon entering New Zealand.
Allowed Employment: You can only do domestic work for your specified diplomatic employer in the set location.
No Studying: Studying in New Zealand is not permitted under this visa.
Timely Departure: Leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

What Is the Processing Time for a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

The processing time for this visa is generally 54 days. You will be notified of the decision within this period.

For How Long Is the Visa Valid?

The New Zealand Diplomatic Visa is valid for the same length as your employer’s posting. If your employer’s assignment lasts four years, your visa will also be valid for four years.

Can You Apply More Than Once?

You can apply for the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa more than once. However, if you wish to work for a different employer, you must wait three years before reapplying. If you continue with the same employer, you do not need to wait.

Can You Study on a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa?

Studying is not allowed with this visa. To study in New Zealand, you’ll need to apply for a separate visa, such as the New Zealand Student Visa.

Can You Bring Your Family With You?

You cannot include your partner or dependent children in your New Zealand Diplomatic Visa. They can apply for other types of visas if they wish to join you.

For more information on New Zealand Diplomatic Visas and other immigration details, you can visit the official Immigration New Zealand website.

In summary, obtaining a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa involves several key steps and requires thorough preparation of necessary documents. Adhering to the eligibility criteria and following the outlined process will make your application experience smoother, allowing you to focus on your domestic work duties in New Zealand.

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Glossary of Immigration Terms

New Zealand Diplomatic Visa
- A special visa that allows domestic workers to provide services to diplomats, consular officials, or other official envoys assigned to New Zealand. It restricts employment to domestic work only, aligning with the diplomat’s posting duration.
Statement of Undertaking
- A mandatory document completed by the applicant’s employer, confirming the employment arrangement, agreeing to cover living costs and return travel, and validating the engagement for domestic work purposes only.
Declaration of Acceptance
- A signed document from the visa applicant acknowledging and agreeing to the employment conditions set forth under the New Zealand Diplomatic Visa, including restrictions on the type of work allowed.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Approval
- An official confirmation from the Protocol Division of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, authorizing the employer to bring domestic staff and approving the visa application process.
Interim Visa
- A temporary visa granted to applicants whose current visa expires while the new visa application is being processed, allowing them to remain legally in New Zealand during the interim period.

This Article In A Nutshell:

To work as a domestic worker for a diplomat in New Zealand, you’ll need a New Zealand Diplomatic Visa. This visa is only for domestic roles like cooking and gardening. You can’t study or do other jobs on it. Remember your employer’s ‘Statement of Undertaking’ and follow the application steps carefully for a successful process.
— By VisaVerge.com
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