If you have a passport from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or an EU country, you can easily apply for the NZeTA visa for New Zealand online. To apply for an NZeTA, you have to meet several requirements. Here you can read more about the relatively strict requirements concerning the photograph that needs to be submitted.

Complete your New Zealand visa application

Before applying for a visa or travel authorisation online, many destinations require that you submit documents in addition to the details in the application form. For example, in New Zealand, a photograph must be supplied for every traveller for whom a visa is applied. Only when a suitable photograph is submitted for all travellers is the application complete.

Average delivery time

One of the many advantages of an online visa application is the short delivery time. However, it is always recommended to apply for your visa on time. The average delivery time for the NZeTa is 5 days for a standard application and 24 hours for an urgent application. It is important to note here that the application for the NZeTA is only complete after you have submitted your digital photograph. Only when a suitable photograph is submitted for each traveller can the application be processed and the average delivery time start.

Furthermore, always keep in mind that delivery times can never be guaranteed. Because of the assessment and any checks by the New Zealand immigration service, it can always occur that it may take a little longer before a visa is issued.

Submit a photograph

After you have completed the payment for your New Zealand visa application, you are asked to supply a photograph. It is mandatory to provide an appropriate photograph for all travellers for whom you are applying for NZeTA. This does not need to be an official photograph. However, it has to be a sharp (portrait) photograph in which the traveller can be clearly seen. As long as it meets all the requirements, it can also be a selfie.

If you do not have the required photograph(s) at hand, you can also supply these at a later time. Take note that, as mentioned before, the visa application can only be processed if a suitable photograph is received for each traveller. If you already submitted photographs, but these were rejected, then you will have received instructions in the rejection email to submit a suitable photograph.

Choosing a suitable photograph for your visa application

The photo you submit as a photograph for your visa application for New Zealand has to meet certain requirements. For example, it cannot be a photo of a photograph. An edited photograph or a photo of the photograph on the information page of your passport is not accepted.

Light, position and background

Regardless of whether you choose to snap your own photograph for your application or use an existing photograph, make sure that the photograph you choose meets all requirements. Provide a sharp photograph in which your face is fully in focus. The photograph should not be overexposed and cannot contain any reflections or shadows. The background needs to be even and light in colour, but not white. Make sure that, other than the face of the traveller, nothing else is in the photograph. In other words, no belongings, other people, or pets should be visible in the photograph.

Additionally, it is important you look straight into the camera, with your face facing forward and your eyes open. Your mouth has to be shut completely. Make sure your facial expression is neutral; you should not smile or frown in the photograph.

Clothing, glasses and headgear

In addition, it is essential that you do not wear any unnecessary accessories in the photograph. For example, sunglasses are not allowed. If you need regular glasses to be able to see well and to make a good photograph, make sure that your eyes can be seen clearly in the photograph and that the lenses do not cause any reflections. It is also strongly advised against using a photograph in which the traveller is wearing clothing with prints or bright colours. For the photograph, preferably wear clothing in a neutral colour without sharp contrasts.

Do you use headwear for religious reasons? As long as your entire face (including your hairline) is seen in the photograph, this is no problem for submitting the photograph.

Prevent delays by submitting a good photograph the first time

By taking the requirements into account when submitting the required photographs, you can prevent unnecessary delays. A New Zealand visa application can only be processed after a good photograph is submitted for each traveller. Submitting a photograph that does not meet all the set requirements can cause an application to be processed at a later time. If you are experiencing issues when submitting the photograph or if you have any questions about other NZeTA requirements, you can contact e-Visa.ie. In most cases, your application can still be processed quickly.

Please note: this news article about the visa for New Zealand is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for New Zealand.