Visa Services

What to Bring to Your Visa Interview

All applicants for visas must submit the following when applying for a visa:

• Valid machine readable passport: All Visa Waiver Program eligible country nationals should have a Machine Readable Passport with biometric identification.  If you have held previous passports please bring them on the day of the interview.
• NIV/Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee: Every applicant for a non immigrant visa must pay the NIV/Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid whether or not a visa is granted. The fee is payable ONLY at New Zealand Post Shops by cash, or EFTPOS. No personal or company cheques will be accepted. Applicants should visit a N.Z. Post Shop first and bring their receipt with them. You will need to take your valid passport with you to the Post Shop to pay the fee. Fulbright Scholars are exempt from paying this fee.
• Passport Photograph: One recent, color photograph 2 inch x 2 inch (5 x 5 cm)on a plain background, front view, full face. Digital photos or laser copies are NOT accepted. Details of photo requirements.
• Application form DS-156. This form must be completed and signed by all applicants for all visa types. Failure to answer all questions on this form could result in significant delays. Parents or legal guardians of children under 14 years old should sign this form on their behalf. 
• Application form DS-157 to be completed by all male applicants aged 16-45 years.
• Application form DS-158 to be completed by all J1, F1 and M1 applicants.
• Courier Bag: At the time of your interview please provide a self addressed return courier bag for the return of your passport. Failure to provide this will cause a delay in the processing of your application. Please retain your tracking number sticker from the courier bag. You are NOT able to pick-up your passport from the Consulate.

All male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also submit:

• Supplemental Application Form DS-157.

Additional and supporting documents:

Certain types of visas may require additional forms or documents. If you are applying for a visa in a particular category, ensure that you ask the U.S. Visa Information Service staff 0900 US VISA (0900 878 472) for detailed instructions on what additional documentation is required at your interview.

You may be required to prove your social/economic, family and financial ties to New Zealand or your country of residence. It may be necessary to provide some of the flollowing documents:

• Travel itinerary and purpose of trip;
• Name, address & relationship of people you are visiting in US;
• Letters of employment, business letter / conference details;
• Proof of funds, ie. bank statements, ownership of property etc.

Please note that supporting documents can vary from person to person depending on your personal situation.

We suggest that you supply this information with your first application, instead of waiting until after you have been refused a visa.

Fees and Additional Fees:

If you are not travelling on a passport from New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, or Korea, you may have to pay an additional fee. These fees must be paid at the Consulate either by cheque or cash.

SEVIS Fee: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for F1 and J1 Visas.

The U.S. Consulate General accepts no liability for any documents lodged as part of a visa application. It is your responsibility to use a secure means of sending your application to us and for ensuring its safe return to you.

You should never pay for travel arrangements (e.g., airfare, hotels) without having the necessary visa in your possession. The U.S. Consulate General accepts no responsibility if you do so, nor will we expedite processing because you have fixed travel dates. You risk significant financial losses if you ignore this advice.