NOTE: We're working hard to ensure that all registered participants can make it to the #ILGA2019NZ World Conference. If you are experiencing issues with your visa application, please reach out at: ILGA@avenues.co.nz
Visa & Passport Information
Citizens from many countries (including Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore ...full list here) do not need a visa to visit New Zealand and can simply qualify for the Visa Waiver Visiter Visa on arrival. However, Visa requirements are different according to each country—please check the list here.
Visitors to New Zealand must hold a passport that is valid for at least three months after the planned departure date from New Zealand, or one month past the date you intend to leave if the government issuing your passport has consular representation in New Zealand.
Please click here for visa information.
Advice from NZ Immigration is:
The overseas conference participants can come to New Zealand on a visitor visa to attend the conference. For visa waiver countries they will simply be granted a visitor visa on arrival. For visa required countries they will need to apply for a visitor visa before coming. To apply they use the standard visitor visa form, and when asked for the purpose of their visit they should indicate that they are coming here to attend a conference. If they are applying online they need to indicate they are applying for a General Visitor Visa and then in the “What is the purpose of your visit to New Zealand” question they need to select the conference/convention option.
Please click here to view the process for online applications. If you have any queries or would like your visa to be processed on your behalf, please email ILGA@avenues.co.nz.
Message from Tourism New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand support the ILGA World Conference coming to Wellington in 2019. We value diversity and respect human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. Below is some information about the recently updated Customs and Excise Act 2018:
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Like many countries around the world, New Zealand’s Customs officers have had the authority to examine passengers’ goods – including electronic devices – for a number of years.
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It’s important to know Customs have advised that, to protect travelers’ privacy, searching the content of an electronic device would only occur if there is reasonable suspicion that the person in possession of the device is involved in criminal offending.
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These measures are in place to support the safety and wellbeing of New Zealand and our visitors and will not impact 99.98% of visitors to New Zealand.
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For more information or any questions relating to New Zealand Customs, please visit
www.customs.govt.nz
Visa cross check Information:
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Please cross check with your travel agent if you are needing a visa or a transit visa for every country they land in.
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Advice to avoid transiting through Gulf States if possible due to their laws, especially if the delegate presents differently to the gender on their passport
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Note to check that they have at least 3 months remaining on their passport from the date they leave New Zealand
Invitation Letter for Visa Application
If you need an Invitation Letter to apply for a visa to attend the Conference, please send the following information to ILGA@avenues.co.nz with subject “ILGA2019: Invitation Letter for visa application” and the following information:
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Your name as it appears in your passport
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Your position
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Your affiliation/organisation
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Your postal address (incl. your affiliation/organisation)
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Your registration email address
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Registration ID (the invitation letter for visa application will only be issued to registered participant)
The letter will be sent to you by email in PDF format within 7 working days after receiving the request with sufficient information. If a printed copy is required, please specify your address to receive the letter. Please note that Letter of Invitation will only be sent to participants who have registered and paid for the Conference. If participants withdraw from the conference after the issue of Letter of Invitation, the respective consulate may be notified of the withdrawal accordingly.