It is very simple to immigrate to New Zealand from Malaysia if Malaysian nationals arrive here for short-term stays (visits of up to 90 days). The reason for which immigration is very simple is given by the fact that Malaysian citizens do not need to apply for a visa, as they are on the visa waiver list.
However, there is a simple formality to comply with before the arrival, meaning that it is necessary to obtain the New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This document is not a visa in the traditional sense, as the applicants do not need to address embassies, submit documentation and wait for a reply, but a valid travel document is necessary.
Our immigration lawyer in New Zealand can assist Malaysians with information on the NZeTA requirements and can, of course, assist in any other visa formalities, which will apply for visas issued for a period longer than 90 days.
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NZeTA for Malaysians
The NZeTA provides the advantage that the formalities for immigration in New Zealand can be completed in a very short amount of time, simply by submitting few details. The procedure is done online and the foreigner can complete the application in a matter of minutes, therefore he or she can simply relocate to New Zealand from Malaysia after obtaining the NZeTA.
Once obtained, the NZeTa is valid for a period of 2 years, therefore Malaysians who immigrate to New Zealand from Malaysia can use the document multiple times. However, it must be noted that it is allowed to arrive here with a valid NZeTA for a period of maximum 90 days at a time, in a 180 days period.
In other words, a foreigner can’t stay more than 180 days a year in this country with a tourist visa document, because otherwise it is necessary to apply for a different immigration document and to start the procedure for residency in New Zealand.
This electronic document has a low processing fee, of AUD 17, and, although it can generally be processed in 1 business day, it is recommended to start the procedure with 3 days prior to the departure to New Zealand, to make sure that the local authorities have had the time to process the application.
Is there any visa specifically made for Malaysians?
Yes, it is possible to relocate to New Zealand from Malaysia through a visa designed for Malaysian nationals, and this can be done through the Malaysia Working Holiday visa. Please mind that the working holiday visa is available for many nationalities, but for each country, slightly different characteristics may appear.
In the list below, our immigration lawyer in New Zealand has gathered the most important characteristics of the Malaysia Working Holiday visa. If you want to migrate to New Zealand from Malaysia under this program, we invite you to discover more about the following:
- the law on immigration to New Zealand stipulates that the visa is valid for a period of 6 months;
- it is addressed to young Malaysians with an age of 18 to 30 years old;
- there is a yearly quota of 1150 visas;
- in order to move to New Zealand from Malaysia, applicants must also pay a processing fee of NZD 420;
- the majority of the applications are processed in a period of 3 weeks (80% of all applications).
Those who want to participate in this program must carefully verify its conditions, as, for example, persons moving from USA to New Zealand under the same program benefit from a longer visa validity, of 12 months. For this country, there isn’t a yearly quota. For other nationals, such as the British, the age limit is 35, while the residency can increase to 36 months.
Therefore, if you want to migrate to New Zealand, it is highly recommended to receive legal assistance, to make sure that everything you need to know is clear. Our lawyers can help you immigrate to New Zealand, by offering tailored advice. Therefore, if you want to immigrate to New Zealand from Malaysia, please contact our lawyers.
