Reviews collected under Lending Room — the team behind Zooma
Most NZ lenders decline visa holders without a second thought. We work with specialist lenders on our panel who specifically cater for employed visa holders with stable NZ income and a good credit history. One application, no credit score impact.
Most applicants hear back the same business day. Not sure you qualify? Check here →
We work with specialist lenders who cater specifically for visa holders. Here is what you need to qualify — and what won't work.
Both visa types accepted with at least 13 months remaining at the time of application. Student visas, visitor visas and working holiday visas are not accepted.
Full-time or part-time employment with verifiable income paid into a NZ bank account. A longer NZ employment history strengthens your application.
A good NZ credit record significantly improves your chances. If you are new to NZ with limited credit history here, a shorter term and smaller amount can help.
Loan terms from 6 to 84 months. The right amount depends on your income, visa expiry and what you need the loan for.
Lenders on our panel require income paid from a NZ employer into a NZ bank account. Self-employed income, benefit payments and overseas-sourced income are not accepted at this stage.
Takes about 5 minutes. We assess your visa and situation and match you to the right lender. No credit score impact at this stage.
Get Started — 5 MinutesWe work with lenders who understand the visa holder market and are willing to lend where most banks will not.
Most mainstream NZ banks decline visa holders outright. Our panel includes specialist lenders who specifically accept open and employer-specific work visas and assess applications on merit.
We run one soft credit check that does not affect your score. Once matched, some lenders accept our check while others may run their own. We will let you know before we submit anything.
Some lenders charge visa holders a premium. We work to find you the most competitive rate available for your situation from lenders who treat visa holders fairly — not as an afterthought.
Most applicants hear back the same day. Same-day funding is possible for applications approved before 3pm on business days. If you need funds urgently, let our team know.
Personal loans, car loans, debt consolidation, home renovation and more. We match you to the right lender for your specific need regardless of your visa status.
Checking your options costs nothing and commits you to nothing. You decide whether to proceed once you have seen the approval. No pressure at any stage.
One short form. We handle the assessment, the matching and the follow-up so you don't have to chase anyone.
Tell us your loan amount, purpose and a bit about your situation including your visa type and expiry date. Takes around 5 minutes and you only ever do it once.
We run a soft credit check with no impact to your score and assess your full situation including your visa. We then identify the lender who specifically caters for visa holders and is most likely to approve you at a competitive rate.
Our team contacts you with your approval. If it works for you, we guide you through to settlement. No obligation at any stage and no pressure to proceed.
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Guide only. Actual rates depend on your profile and lender. Rates 8.99–29.95% p.a. (AIR). Broker fee up to $1,500 and lender fees up to $450 may apply.
Real feedback from New Zealanders we have helped find the right loan.
Common questions from visa holders applying for a loan through Zooma.
Still not sure? Talk to our team
We accept open work visas and employer-specific work visas. Your visa must have at least 13 months remaining at the time of your application. Student visas, visitor visas and working holiday visas are not accepted at this stage.
No. We run a soft credit check during our assessment which does not appear on your credit file or affect your score. Once we match you to a lender, some accept our check while others may run their own standard check as part of their process. We will let you know before we submit anything.
Yes. You must have regular NZ-based employment income paid into a NZ bank account. We are not able to help visa holders who are self-employed, on a benefit or relying on income paid from overseas.
Loans for visa holders can be used for most personal purposes including a car purchase, home renovation, debt consolidation, medical costs, a holiday and more. Tell us what you need the loan for and we will match you to the most suitable lender.
The minimum is $3,000 and the maximum is $250,000 depending on the lender and your personal circumstances. Loan terms range from 6 to 84 months. The right amount depends on your income, visa situation and what you need the loan for.
Unfortunately not at this stage. Lenders on our panel require a minimum of 13 months remaining on your visa. If you are in the process of renewing, apply once the renewal is confirmed and your new expiry date is at least 13 months away.
Most mainstream NZ banks have strict lending criteria that treat visa holders as higher risk, primarily because their right to remain in NZ is tied to their visa status. Specialist lenders on our panel take a more practical view — they are willing to lend to employed visa holders with a good track record and stable income.
A broker and introducer fee of up to $1,500 applies when your loan is successfully funded. This is clearly disclosed before you commit and there is no obligation to proceed. Lender establishment fees of up to $450 may also apply. There are no upfront fees to apply.
Yes — but most mainstream NZ banks and lenders will decline you outright. Their standard lending criteria typically requires NZ citizenship or permanent residency, and they treat visa holders as too high a risk regardless of income, credit history or how long they have been in the country.
The good news is that not all lenders take this approach. There are specialist lenders in New Zealand who specifically cater for employed visa holders and assess applications on the merit of your income, credit record and visa validity — rather than simply declining based on immigration status.
Zooma works with a panel of lenders that includes these specialists. We assess your situation and match you to the lender most likely to approve you at a competitive rate — without making multiple applications that could affect your credit score.
Lenders who work with visa holders focus on a few key factors to assess whether they are comfortable lending.
The type of visa and how long is left on it matters. Open work visas and employer-specific work visas are the most commonly accepted. Most lenders require at least 13 months remaining at the time of application to ensure the loan term fits within your right to remain in NZ.
Lenders want to see consistent employment income paid into a NZ bank account. A longer employment history in NZ strengthens your application. Self-employment, overseas income or irregular income can make approval more difficult.
A clean or near-clean NZ credit record significantly improves your chances. If you are new to NZ and have limited credit history here, a shorter loan term and smaller amount can help. Applying through Zooma protects your credit score — we run one soft check rather than multiple hard inquiries.
Visa holders in New Zealand can access most of the same loan types as citizens and residents, provided they meet the income and visa criteria.
Buying a vehicle is one of the most common reasons visa holders apply. We work with lenders who specifically finance vehicle purchases for employed visa holders — new or used, dealer or private sale.
For any legitimate personal purpose including home renovation, medical expenses, a holiday or moving costs. The loan purpose does not need to be visa-related.
If you have multiple debts at high rates, consolidating them into a single loan can simplify your repayments and potentially reduce your overall interest cost — regardless of your visa status.
One application, one soft credit check, matched to lenders who specifically cater for visa holders in NZ. No obligation to proceed.
