Visitors from some countries need to apply for a visitor visa if intending to stay temporarily in New Zealand. Check the New Zealand immigration web page to see whether you need a visitor visa to come to New Zealand, or check the list of visa-waiver countries.

If your home country is on the list, then you can enter New Zealand without a visa. If you don't need a visa, you can start planning your trip. If your home country is not on the list, you will be required to apply for a visitor visa.
See more information on visitor visas

Transiting through Australia?
If you are travelling through an Australian airport on your way to or from New Zealand for an event, you may need to apply for an Australian visa before travelling. Please be sure to consult your travel agency or your airline before departure to confirm whether or not you are transiting Australia on your way to or from New Zealand.

If you need a visa to visit New Zealand
If you need a visitor visa to come to New Zealand, you will need to meet New Zealand immigration requirements, including funds, health and character. To find out how to apply for a visitor visa and get the forms you need, please consult the New Zealand immigration web page. Note that there is a charge for visa applications and this information is also available on the New Zealand immigration web site.

When you apply for a visitor visa, New Zealand immigration will want to know that:
- you are in good health
- you are of good character; and
- the visa you are applying for matches your intentions for your visit.

You will need to proove that you have plans and the means to leave within the period of your visa. Suitable proof may include:
- actual travel tickets (confirmed or open-dated) out of New Zealand to a country which you have the right to enter; or
- written confirmation from an airline or travel agency that onward travel has been booked and paid.

Proof will also be needed that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This means you have a minimum of:
- NZ$1000 per person per month of the visit, or
- NZ$400 per person per month if accommodation has already been paid for proof may be needed of prepayment, such as hotel prepaid vouchers.

Acceptable evidence of sufficient funds can be demonstrated in the form of:
- cash
- travellers' cheques
- bank drafts
- recognised credit cards with sufficient credit available - it is recommended that visitors have an up-to-date credit card statement.

Who cannot get a visa?
As well as people who don't meet the basic requirements listed above, some people who have committed serious crimes will not be allowed into New Zealand at all. Sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration Act 2009 outline what disqualifies an applicant in these terms. If your application is incomplete when you submit it, you submit false information or you don't meet visa requirements, you can be refuse entry.

How long can you stay in New Zealand?
The maximum stay under a visitor visa is nine months. Visa-free visitors are initially granted a three month visitor visa (or six if you are from the United Kingdom); you will need to apply for a further visitor visa if you wish to stay longer in New Zealand. Visitors can only stay for nine months in an 18-month period. Note that the length of visas can vary and approval to enter may be granted only for shorter periods than the maximum.

Arriving at the border visa-free
If you are a visa-free visitor, you apply for a visa at the border by filling in your arrival card. You will be allowed to stay for three months (or six months if from the United Kingdom) on each visit, and no more than six months in any 12-month period.
Your application for a visa can cover your partner, and any dependent children up to the age of 19. Children over 20, and non-dependants, will need to make their own application.

Medical insurance
We recommend that you have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your visit. If you are from the United Kingdom or Australia, you will get the same immediate medical coverage as a New Zealand citizen or resident, due to Reciprocal Health Agreements.

After you arrive:
If you are granted a visitor visa you need to meet certain conditions during your stay.
- You may not work while you are in New Zealand (unless you are granted a work visa).
- You may not study for more than three months while you are in New Zealand (unless you are granted a student visa).
- You must keep within New Zealand's laws.
- You must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your visa.

If you breach any of these conditions you may become liable for deportation.

Additional information

Please note that the visa requirements for visitors to New Zealand vary from country to country, and it is your responsibility to ensure you have made the appropriate arrangements prior to arriving in New Zealand.

Please note that you must register for the Congress and pay your registration fee prior to requesting any letter of invitation needed for visa purposes. Congress registration commences on-line in February 2011. Proof of payment is one of the requirements to apply for a visa. We discourage any illegal immigrants from using our congress to try to obtain a visa to enter New Zealand.

Attendees already in the United States on a visa, should ensure that they have a multiple-entry visa prior to travelling to New Zealand. Otherwise, they may not be able to return to the US without re-applying for a US visa.

Please request a letter of invitation to the Congress from the ICCB 2011 Conference Manager Coordinator by emailing 2011@conbio.org You should submit the letter of invitation along with your visa application.

What if your application for a visa is refused? The final decision to grant a visa lies with the visa officer. Once an application has been refused, we cannot overturn the officer's decision. If a visa application is refused, fees are not refunded, as they cover the administrative costs of processing the application.

Where do I find more information on the visa application process?
For information on the procedure for applying for a visa, a listing of exempt countries and other pertinent information, please go to http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/