New Zealand Sports Visas
New Zealand Sports Visas
Update October 2026
Since 26 May 2025 the Specific Purpose Work Visa for sports professionals allows up to 12 months for athletes below national or regional level, and up to 36 months for national or regional level players. Immigration New Zealand lists visitor visas from NZ$441, and the NZeTA costs NZ$17 (app) or NZ$23 (online) plus the NZ$100 tourism levy. See NZ visitor visas.
Depending on their circumstances and intentions, individuals looking to enter New Zealand to participate in sporting activities have three main visa options: the Specific Purpose Work Visa for paid players and coaches, the Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa and the Sports Events Visitor Visa. Not sure which applies to you? Book a consultation and we will check your options.
Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Visa
This visa is intended for individuals with exceptional sporting talent who have been sponsored by a recognised sporting body in New Zealand.
A Talent Visa is usually issued for up to 30 months. However, it is also recognised by New Zealand authorities as a potential pathway to permanent residence after two years of being ‘actively engaged in your field of sport in New Zealand’.
To be eligible for this visa, you must:
- have an international reputation in your sport
- have a written endorsement from a nationally-recognised sporting body in New Zealand
- have a sponsor who can provide you with accommodation and financial support
- your sponsor can be different from the organisation which has endorsed your application
- show evidence of a chest x-ray and medical examination to prove you are in good health
- be aged 55 or under
- provide police certificates (less than 6 months old) from:
- your country of citizenship
- any country in which you have lived for 5 or more years since you were 17 years old
You must apply for this visa before you travel to New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand lists the fee from NZD 1,630 (October 2026).
Immigration New Zealand reports that 80% of applications are decided within 7 weeks.
Sports Events Visitor Visa
This visa is targeted at anyone intending to visit New Zealand for a specific sports event or tour as a player, official, media or broadcast worker or a member of support staff to a competitor or team.
Successful applicants can only be awarded this visa for a maximum of three months, regardless of the length of the event or tour they are attending. If the event or tour is longer than three months, a work visa is likely to be more appropriate.
Individuals from countries for which New Zealand offers a visa waiver scheme do not need to apply for this visa before they arrive, providing they meet all the eligibility criteria. They should however ensure that they obtain the ‘NZeTA’ electronic travel authority before travelling.
To be eligible for this visa, you must:
- show evidence of your role in the sports event you will be attending, or your accreditation if applying as a member of the media
- have enough funds to support yourself while in New Zealand (at least NZD 1,000 a month, or NZD 400 a month if your accommodation is prepaid), or have a sponsor who will provide you with accommodation and living expenses after you arrive
- have a return or onward ticket to leave New Zealand
- be in good health and of good character (a chest x-ray is not normally needed for stays under 6 months, but Immigration New Zealand may ask for one)
Immigration New Zealand lists this visa from NZD 441 (October 2026).
80% of applications are decided within 4.5 weeks.
Amateur Visits and Sports Tours
If you are intending to travel to New Zealand to play sport on a strictly amateur basis, you may be able to do so by applying for a Visitor Visa or, if from an eligible country or territory, travelling on a visa-waiver basis.
Which New Zealand visa fits your situation?
Use the tabs to find the visa that usually fits. Most paid players and coaches use the Specific Purpose Work Visa, which our NZ sports work visas guide explains in full.
If a New Zealand sports club will pay you to play or coach, the usual visa is the Specific Purpose Work Visa. Since 26 May 2025:
- players and coaches at national or regional level (a top-tier national, trans-Tasman or international competition) can stay up to 36 months
- players and coaches below that level can stay up to 12 months
Your club completes the Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113). Immigration New Zealand lists the visa from NZD 1,455, with 80% of applications decided within 3 weeks. Your partner and children apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you.
If you are coming for a specific sports event, tour or tournament as a player, official, support staff member or media worker, the Sports Events Visitor Visa lets you stay up to 3 months and work only at that event. It costs from NZD 441, and 80% of applications are decided within 4.5 weeks.
You need at least NZD 1,000 a month to live on (NZD 400 a month if your accommodation is prepaid), or a sponsor who will cover your costs.
If you have an international reputation in your sport and want to build a long term career in New Zealand, the Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa can lead to residence after 2 years actively working in your sport in New Zealand. You must be 55 or under, and you need support from a New Zealand organisation of national repute plus a sponsor.
Amateur players on an unpaid tour or social competition can usually travel as visitors. If you hold a passport from a visa waiver country (such as the UK or the USA), you will usually need an NZeTA before you travel (NZD 17 in the app or NZD 23 online) plus the NZD 100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Australian citizens do not need an NZeTA. Others need a visitor visa.
Physiotherapists, analysts, strength and conditioning coaches and administrators employed by a New Zealand organisation usually do not fit the player and coach rules. Depending on the role, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (which needs an accredited employer and a job check) or another work visa may fit better. Clubs can read our Sports club and organisation visa guide.
Costs and processing at a glance
| Visa | Maximum stay | Cost from (INZ, Oct 2026) | 80% decided within |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Purpose Work Visa (sports) | 36 months (national or regional level) or 12 months | NZD 1,455 | 3 weeks |
| Sports Events Visitor Visa | 3 months | NZD 441 | 4.5 weeks |
| Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa | 30 months, with a pathway to residence | NZD 1,630 | 7 weeks |
| NZeTA (visa waiver travellers) | Visitor stay | NZD 17 (app) or NZD 23 (online), plus NZD 100 levy | Allow up to 72 hours |
Fees and timeframes change, so we confirm the current figures before you apply. Compare New Zealand with other countries in Sports visa costs compared (2026).
How to apply
- Pick the right visa
Decide whether you are paid by a New Zealand club, coming for a single event, or seeking a long term move with residence.
- Get your club or event paperwork
Paid roles need an employment agreement and the INZ 1113 form. Events need a letter or accreditation that confirms your role.
- Arrange health and character checks
Work visas often need a medical, chest x-ray and police certificates. Visitors staying under 6 months do not normally need an x-ray unless asked.
- Lodge online and pay
Apply through Immigration New Zealand with your passport, evidence of funds and travel plans.
- Travel after approval
Once a Specific Purpose Work Visa is approved, you must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of the visa being issued.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play club rugby or cricket in New Zealand on a visitor visa?
You can play amateur sport as a visitor, but you cannot be paid by a New Zealand club. If the club is paying you, or giving you benefits in return for playing or coaching, you will usually need a Specific Purpose Work Visa.
Do Australians need a visa to play sport in New Zealand?
Australian citizens can generally live, work and play sport in New Zealand without applying for a visa in advance. Other passport holders, including Australian permanent residents, should check their own entry requirements before they travel.
How long does a sports work visa last?
Players and coaches at national or regional level can stay up to 36 months, and those below that level up to 12 months. Referees and judges engaged for an event are usually granted the length of the engagement, generally up to 6 months.
Can my family come with me?
On a Specific Purpose Work Visa your partner and children apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you. On the Talent visa, they can be included in your residence application after 2 years.
Which visa can lead to residence?
The Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa can lead to residence after 2 years actively engaged in your sport in New Zealand. The Specific Purpose Work Visa and the Sports Events Visitor Visa do not.
Can I work remotely for my overseas club while visiting?
Since 27 January 2025, visitors can generally work remotely for an overseas employer while in New Zealand, as long as they do not work for New Zealand businesses or need to be at a New Zealand workplace.
New Zealand sports visa guides
For the full rules on paid players, coaches, officials and events in New Zealand, see our detailed guides.
Specific Purpose Work Visa 12 and 36 month rules, Sports Events Visitor Visa and Talent visa.
What clubs, academies and event organisers must do in each country.
Government fees for sports visas in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA and Canada.
The documents athletes, coaches, officials and clubs usually need.
Quick answers to the most common sports visa questions.