A Complete Guide to Writing a Letter to Immigration New Zealand
It can be hard to write a letter to Immigration New Zealand, especially when so much is riding on getting it right. Your letter is very important for making your case clear and professional, whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, helping a loved one with their application, or looking for a work visa.
A well-written letter does more than just check off boxes. It tells your story, shows your dedication, and gives Immigration New Zealand the information they need to make smart choices. The good news is? Anyone can write a good immigration letter if they pay attention to the details and do it the right way.
From figuring out what your letter is for to formatting, proofreading, and sending it, this guide takes you through every step of the process. You will also find useful templates, common mistakes to avoid, and advice on how to make your letter stand out.
Knowing why you’re writing your letter
Before you start writing, think about what kind of letter you need. Different immigration situations need different solutions.
Different kinds of letters to Immigration New Zealand
Support letters are written by friends, family, or coworkers to vouch for an applicant’s character, ties to their home country, or genuine plans to visit or work in New Zealand.
Job offer letters are used by employers to formally offer a job to a candidate from another country. They include information about the job, the pay, and the terms of employment.
Invitation Letters: If you’re inviting someone to New Zealand as a visitor, this letter tells them about your relationship with the person, why they are coming, and where they will be staying.
Cover letters go with visa applications and give a brief overview of the applicant’s case, pointing out important points and directing attention to supporting documents.
Each type of letter has its own purpose, but they all have the same goal: to give clear, correct, and useful information that makes the visa application stronger.
Important Parts of the Letter
Every letter to Immigration New Zealand should include specific components to ensure it’s professional and complete.
Your Data
Put your full name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the letter. If you’re writing for a business, make sure to include the name of the business and your job title.
Information about the recipient
Make sure to send your letter to the right department or person. If you don’t know who will look at your application, you can use a general greeting like “Dear Immigration Officer” or “To Whom It May Concern.” You can also use the visa type or application number to help your letter get to the right place.
Date
Always put the date on the letter. This sets a time frame and shows that your letter is up to date. Use a clear format, like “January 15, 2025” or “15 January 2025.”
Subject Line
A short subject line makes it easier for Immigration New Zealand to understand what your letter is about. Some examples are:
- “Letter of Support for Visitor Visa Application – [Applicant’s Name]”
- “Application #123456 for a New Zealand Work Visa Cover Letter”
- “Letter of Invitation for Tourist Visa – [Name of Applicant]”
Hello
Stay professional. If you don’t know the person’s name, “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Immigration Officer” will do. If you know the officer’s name, say “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Dear Ms. Jones.”
Making the Letter’s Body
The body of your letter is where you make your point. Make sure it makes sense and think about what your reader needs.
Beginning
Start with a clear statement of what you want to say. Tell us who you are, how you know the person applying (if you do), and why you’re writing. For instance:
“I am writing to help my sister Jane Doe get a visitor visa so she can visit New Zealand from March 1 to March 21, 2025.”
Details that support
This is the main point of your letter. Give specific, useful information that backs up the application. If you’re writing a letter of support for a visitor visa, make sure to include:
- Your relationship with the applicant
- How long you’ve been friends with them
- The reason for their visit and how long it will last
- Information about where they will stay and how they will pay for it
- Proof of their connections to their home country
For a letter offering a job, write:
- The title of the job and what it entails
- When you start and what your job will be
- Pay and benefits
- Why the applicant is the best person for the job
Clear and to the point
Immigration officers look over hundreds of applications. Be direct and don’t give them too much information to show that you respect their time. To make it easier to read, use short paragraphs and bullet points when they make sense.
Tone
Throughout, keep a professional and respectful tone. Don’t use language that is too emotional or too much. Stick to the facts and say them in a clear way.
Giving Proof of Support
When you have strong evidence to back up your letter, it becomes more convincing. Include any relevant documents that go with your letter, such as:
- Evidence of relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates, photographs)
- Papers about money, like bank statements, pay stubs, and letters of sponsorship
- Itineraries for travel or confirmations of bookings
- Documents for registering a business or hiring someone
Be clear when you talk about these papers in your letter. For example, “Please see the attached bank statements from December 2024 to January 2025, which show that I have enough money to support my sister while she is here.”
Writing a Cover Letter for a Visitor Visa to New Zealand
A cover letter for a visitor visa tells the reader about your application and gives a brief overview of the most important points. This is how to organize it:
In the first paragraph, tell us why you’re going to New Zealand, when you plan to arrive and leave, and where you’ll be staying.
Paragraph 2: Talk about your ties to your home country, like your job, family, property, or school. This shows that you plan to go back home after your trip.
In paragraph 3, tell us about your finances and how you’ll pay for your stay. Reference attached bank statements or sponsorship letters.
In paragraph 4, talk about any trips you’ve taken before, especially to countries that have similar visa requirements. This shows you’re a responsible traveler.
Thank the officer for looking over your application and say that you are willing to give them more information if they need it.
Letter Templates
Example of a Cover Letter for a New Zealand Tourist Visa
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
Officer of Immigration
New Zealand Immigration
[Address or Online Submission Reference]
Subject: [Your Name] Cover Letter for Tourist Visa Application
Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to ask for a tourist visa to New Zealand so that I can visit your beautiful country from [Start Date] to [End Date]. While I’m there, I want to see New Zealand’s beautiful scenery, learn about Māori culture, and visit family and friends in Auckland.
I work as a [Your Job Title] at [Company Name] in [Your Country] right now. I have been with the company for [X years] and they gave me time off for this trip. My employment contract and a letter from my employer confirming my leave are attached for your reference.
I have enough money for this visit. I have enclosed my bank statements from the past three months, showing a balance of [Amount]. I will pay for everything I need for my trip, including travel, lodging, and daily needs. I also made a reservation for my return flight, which leaves on [Return Date].
I have strong connections to [Your Country]. My close family lives here, and I own property at [Address]. I have traveled to other countries before, including [Countries], and I have always followed the rules for visas.
Thanks for looking at my application. I’m happy to give you any extra information or papers you might need.
With all my heart,
Yours sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Sample Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa
[Your Name]
[Your Address in New Zealand]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to invite [Applicant’s Full Name], my [relationship, e.g., mother], to come to New Zealand from [Start Date] to [End Date]. She is a citizen of [Country] and lives at [Applicant’s Address] right now.
The reason she came is to spend time with me and my family. While she is here, she will stay at my house at [Your Address]. I will pay for all of her meals, lodging, and transportation in the area. I’ve included proof of my financial ability, such as recent pay stubs and bank statements.
There are strong ties between [Applicant’s Name] and [Country]. She works as a [Job Title] and has been given time off to come here. She has family members who live in [Country] and owns property there. She doesn’t plan to stay longer than her visa allows, and she will go back home on [Return Date].
I have a [Your Visa Status, e.g., New Zealand citizenship/resident visa], and I’ve attached a copy of my passport to prove it. I promise to make sure that [Applicant’s Name] follows all the rules of her visa while she is here.
Thanks for looking at this application. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you need more information.
Sincerely,
Yours sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Sample Support Letter for Parents Visitor Visa NZ
[Your Name]
[Your Address in New Zealand]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
Immigration Officer
Immigration New Zealand
[Address or Online Submission Reference]
Subject: Letter of Support for Parents’ Visitor Visa – [Parents’ Names]
Hello,
I am writing to support the visitor visa application of my parents, [Father’s Name] and [Mother’s Name], who wish to visit New Zealand from [Start Date] to [End Date].
I live in [City], New Zealand, and I work as a [Your Job Title] at [Company Name]. My parents plan to visit me to celebrate [occasion, e.g., a family milestone, holiday] and spend time with their grandchildren.
While they are here, they will stay with me at [Your Address]. I will pay for everything, including housing, food, and travel within the area. My recent pay slips and bank statements are attached to demonstrate my ability to support them throughout their visit.
My parents have strong connections to [Country]. My father used to work as a [Job Title], but now he is retired. My mother still works as a [Job Title]. They live in [Address] with their family and have other family members in [Country]. They have been abroad before and have always come back to their home country as required.
I promise you that my parents will follow all the rules for their visa and come back home on [Return Date]. I am happy to give them any other documents they need to support their application.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Finishing the Letter
To finish your letter, go over your main points again and say why you wrote it. Be polite and short.
“Thank you for taking the time to read this application. I am sure that [Applicant’s Name] meets all the requirements for a New Zealand visitor visa and will follow all the rules. If you need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”
Finish with a professional closing:
- If you know the person’s name, say “Yours sincerely,”
- “Yours faithfully,” (if using a general salutation)
Leave room for your signature, and then type your full name below it.
Check and Proofread
Even minor errors can undermine your letter’s credibility. Do these things before you send it:
Check your spelling and grammar. You can use tools like Grammarly or ask someone who speaks English well to look over your letter.
Check the facts: Make sure that dates, names, addresses, and numbers are all correct.
Read it out loud: This helps you find sentences that don’t flow well or sound awkward.
Get a second opinion: Have a friend, family member, or professional advisor review your letter for clarity and completeness.
Formatting and Presentation
It is easier to read and looks more professional when a letter is well-formatted.
Use a standard font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri in 11 or 12 point size.
Use single or 1.5 line spacing and leave enough room around the edges (at least 1 inch on all sides).
Use headings to organize your letter. If it’s long, use bold subheadings to break up the sections.
If you are sending a physical copy, use white or cream-colored paper. Sign the letter in blue or black ink.
Sending in the Letter
Depending on your visa type and where you live, Immigration New Zealand has a number of ways for you to submit your application.
Submitting Online
Most people now apply for visas online through the Immigration New Zealand website. You’ll need to make an account, fill out the application form, and upload your letter and other supporting documents. To keep the formatting, save your letter as a PDF.
Submission in person
If you are applying by mail or in person at a visa application center, print your letter and send it with your other papers. Keep a copy for your own records.
Make sure all requirements are met.
Before you send in your application, make sure you check Immigration New Zealand’s checklist for your type of visa. If you don’t have all the right papers, your application could be delayed or even turned down.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
Being vague: Saying things like “They are a good person” doesn’t help. Give specific examples and proof.
Don’t include information that isn’t relevant. Only include information that directly supports the application. Don’t go off on tangents or tell personal stories that don’t add anything.
Exaggerating the case: Exaggeration can be a warning sign. Be honest and factual.
Not formatting: A letter that is messy and hard to read makes a bad impression. Make sure to format it correctly.
Not signing: A letter that isn’t signed may not be accepted. Always sign your name, whether it’s in person or online.
Late submission: Give the visa application and your letter enough time to be looked at together. Last-minute submissions can make things take longer.
Help and Resources
These resources can help you if you need more help:
Immigration New Zealand Website: Go to immigration.govt.nz for official forms, checklists, and information about how long it will take to process your application.
If your case is complicated, you might want to talk to a licensed immigration adviser. They can review your letter and provide tailored advice.
Visa Application Centers: Some countries have centers where people can apply for visas and get help with questions about what documents they need and how to send them in.
Be sure to take the next step.
Writing to Immigration New Zealand doesn’t have to be hard. If you plan ahead, communicate clearly, and pay attention to the details, you can write a letter that helps your visa application and makes it more likely that you will get it.
Before you send your letter, make sure you know what it’s for, include all the important parts, back up your claims, and proofread it carefully. A well-written letter shows that you are professional and dedicated, whether you are applying for a visitor visa, helping a family member, or getting a work visa.
Business Kiwi is here to help you if you need expert help with the New Zealand immigration process. Our team is skilled at helping people with their visa applications by making sure their papers are polished, correct, and convincing. Call us today to set up a meeting and take the stress out of your immigration process.
