Visiting Media Programme (VMP)

At a glance

The Visiting Media Programme (VMP) is a joint initiative of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the New Zealand Tourism Board. It lets invited foreign media professionals enter New Zealand and undertake employment directly associated with their invitation for up to one month without needing a work visa [V3.55].

How to apply

• Visa-waiver nationals: Participants from visa-waiver countries can obtain a visitor visa and entry permission on arrival and are permitted to work for one month from their date of arrival [V3.55(1)].
• Non-waiver nationals: Participants from countries that require a visitor visa must apply for a visitor visa before travelling and include a letter of introduction from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise or the New Zealand Tourism Board with their application [V3.55(2)].

Eligibility criteria

• The applicant must be a participant in the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise or New Zealand Tourism Board's Visiting Media Programme [V3.55(1)].
• Nationals of visa-waiver countries are eligible for visa on arrival and immediate work rights for one month [V3.55(1)].
• Nationals of non-waiver countries must hold a visitor visa before travel and present the required letter of introduction [V3.55(2)].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Participants are exempt from holding a work visa for one month from their date of arrival [V3.55(3)].
• If a participant wishes to stay longer than one month, they must apply for a work visa [V3.55(4)].
• The exemption applies only to employment directly associated with the VMP invitation. Any other employment would require a standard work visa.
• The programme is administered outside INZ, so the letter of introduction is the key eligibility document. INZ retains discretion to decline a visitor visa if general character or entry requirements are not met.

Citations

• V3.55 — Visiting Media Programme