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29 January 2025
2 minute read
INZ has not enacted any new policies for processing visitor visa applications from Israeli or Palestinian nationals. To be clear, military service is not grounds alone to decline visa applications.
The declined visitor visa applications we have identified for Israeli nationals have been because the applicants did not demonstrate that they meet the standard requirements to show that they are genuine applicants, such as providing proof of ties to their home country, reasons for their stay, or evidence of their travel plans.
Genuine intentions to visit, study, or work in New Zealand
Additionally, we cannot confirm any information about individual applications if we are not provided a privacy waiver from the individual.
It should also be noted that, Israel is a visa waiver country, and travellers need to complete New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) declarations to enter New Zealand. This has not changed. They can apply for visitor visas if they are visiting for longer than three months.
A visitor visa can be declined for several reasons, and it is difficult for us to comment on why a person’s application was declined without a privacy waiver from the individual. Immigration requirements do not prevent individuals who have served in this conflict from applying for or being granted a visitor visa.
Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas started, INZ has put in place processes to ensure consistency and priority allocation for any applications received for people living in these locations. Palestinian and Israeli nationals can apply for any visa category they meet the requirements for. We will continue to prioritise the processing of applications for people impacted by the conflict.
However, all applicants must meet the relevant immigration requirements to be granted a visa.
You can read more about Immigration New Zealand’s response to the conflict on our website.
