Find out how to apply for a visitor licence and what to do when you arrive and depart New Zealand.
You must provide information about yourself and your planned shooting activities. You are also required to provide supporting documents as part of your application.
Information you need to provide
Use our online portal to apply for and manage your visitor licence application. You can also apply for a permit to import firearms, parts and/or ammunition.
We use RealMe login to confirm your identity at login. You will be prompted to create one when you start your application if you do not have a RealMe login already
RealMe is a New Zealand government service for proving your identity online.
The service is free to use and designed to protect user privacy and security.
You only need a standard RealMe login to use the Visitor Licence application.
You do not need a RealMe verified identity.
Visit the Visitor Firearms Licence Application and log in with RealMe.
You’ll need your mobile phone to carry out the security check.
If you don’t have a RealMe login you will be prompted to create one before you start your application.
For first time service users only
If you have not used the Visitor licence service before you will need to create a user profile.
Follow the prompts and complete the form.
Complete the confirmation of registration sent via email to activate your user registration.
A user registration is unique to each person. Do not allow your user ID to be used by another person to submit a Visitor Licence Application.
To update details, select 'Modify personal/contact details' from 'Apply'.
In the ‘Manage my Firearms’, page select ‘Visitor Firearms Licence' under the heading ‘Apply’. A new form will be displayed for you to fill in.
In case you are returning to continue a Draft application, select it from the ‘My Applications’ tab.
Upload a photo or PDF
1- Have photo images or PDF files of the documents ready before you start filling in the form.
2- You must upload requested documents or images for a page before you can move to the next page of the form.
3- You must provide full details for each firearm, part or magazine and the number of rounds of ammunition you wish to import.
NOTE: You can save your incomplete application at any step and return later to complete it.
Application completion
Your licence application is completed in the following order:
1. Licence Eligibility: confirm you are eligible to apply for a Visitor Licence.
2. Theory Test: You must successfully complete the Visitor Theory test as part of the application before continuing with your application. The test is based on the New Zealand Firearms Safety Code.
3. Identification: Provide details of your passport, upload a copy of the identity page of your passport AND a passport style photograph (head and upper shoulders only).
4. Travel details: Provide full details of your travel arrangements.
5. Visit: Describe why you are travelling to New Zealand, details of hotels you will use, and your planned hunting activities or shooting competition(s). Indicate if you wish to bring your own firearm(s) with you.
6. Firearms licence: Provide details of your firearms licence or equivalent permit to possess and use firearms in your home country and upload a copy of the licence or permit.
7. Firearms: Provide details of each firearm you wish to bring with you. If you wish to bring detachable magazines, parts or complete live ammunition provide details of each item.
8. Security: Provide details of the New Zealand licence holder who will provide secure storage for your arms items when they are not in use. If you will provide your own security, you must provide full details of the security measures you will take.
9. Declaration: Tick the check boxes to acknowledge you have read the declarations.
You can pay online with Visa or Mastercard.
- Once the fee has been paid, your application is automatically submitted.
- You will receive an email to confirm that we’ve received your application.
- The email will contain the application reference number (format VLA-nnnnnnn). To enquire about your application please include the reference number in your email.
You will be sent a Visitor Licence Supplementary Application form to the email address you provided.
The supplementary form includes the additional information required under the Arms Regulations 2026 that is not current requested in the online application form.
You must complete and return the form before we can continue processing your application
Your application will be reviewed and prioritised for processed based on your arrival date in New Zealand.
The visitor licence team will get in contact if we have any questions about your application. Otherwise, you can expect to hear from us closer to your arrival date.
The Visitor licensing team will add any firearms or major firearms parts to the Firearms Registry when they are approved for import.
If you wish to contact us about your application email us at firearms@firearmssafety.govt.nz
Due to high numbers of applications being received, we are unable to guarantee processing of applications submitted less than four weeks before the arrival date.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive an email including the arms items approved for import. The email explains the conditions that apply to your licence and the import of your firearms. The email is not a licence or permit to import.
You will be issued with your visitor licence, including the permit to import any approved arms items and ammunition, when you arrive in New Zealand.
If your application is refused, you’ll receive an email that explains why and options available to you.
You can only make minor changes to your arrival and departure dates after your visitor licence has been approved.
If you change dates you may have to re-apply for your visitor licence and pay another application fee.
To let us know of any change, email firearms@firearmssafety.govt.nz and tell us:
You must declare all firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition to New Zealand Customs Service.
Tell the customs official that Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand has granted you a visitor licence and a permit to import firearms.
NOTE: New Zealand Customs Service will detain firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition if you do not have a permit to import for the item(s).
Customs will contact a member of New Zealand Police to come to the arrivals hall to issue your visitor’s licence.
A New Zealand Police officer will confirm your identity and issue the licence.
The Customs official will check your arms items against the permit to import linked to your visitor licence. The New Zealand Police officer will confirm that the serial numbers match those recorded on the permit, to ensure details in the Firearms registry are correct.
If you arrive by sea, go to the nearest Police station.
If you arrive by air, go to the New Zealand Police station or counter at the airport. Airport staff can help you find it.
A New Zealand Police officer will check:
- your passport
- your firearms licence or permit or equivalent document from your home country
- the firearms you applied to bring into New Zealand; and
- confirm that you are not under the influence of alcohol and /or drugs.
A New Zealand Police officer on behalf of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand will issue:
- your visitor licence
- your permit to import firearms, if you have been granted one.
If you brought firearms to New Zealand, a condition of your visitor licence is taking them back home with you.
A Permit to Export is required to take firearms, parts, magazines and ammunition out of New Zealand.
In certain circumstances you may be exempt from the permit requirement, but you must complete and submit a Notification of Export.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for the issue of permits to export and receiving notifications of export.
If your home or next destination is a Pacific Island Nation, you must have a Permit to Export to take your firearms out of New Zealand. You are not allowed to use the notification process.
Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Export Controls team
Remember to arrange the documentation required to legally import any firearms back into your home country. You should do this before you travel to New Zealand.
If you depart by air, go to the New Zealand Police station or counter at the airport. Airport staff can help you find it.
If you depart by sea, go to the nearest Police station.
Find New Zealand Police stations
New Zealand Police staff will check that you are:
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