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How to Open an ANZ Bank Account in New Zealand from Abroad

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Application Steps

  1. Go to https://www.anz.co.nz/promo/moving-to-new-zealand/ and select Go Account
  1. Fill in the information
  1. Fill in the details, including your residence contact number and address. If you have a Tax Identification Number (TIN), please fill it in as well.
  1. Check the information
  1. Application completed, but this does not mean it is successful!
  1. You will receive an email, and then reply with your passport and visa documents.
Dear Officer,

Passport and eVisa are in the attachment, thank you for your help!
  1. Be patient and wait for 5 working days. You will receive a reply. I received mine in about 2 days, but some friends waited a week. Reply directly with your arrival date in New Zealand, address (you can write your current residence), occupation, and attach the KYC documents.
Dear Officer,

My information is as follows:

* My arrival date into New Zealand (DD/MM/YYYY):
* Current overseas address (Non-New Zealand):
* Occupation:

KYC questions are in the attachment, thank you for your help!
  1. About 12 days later, I received a reply, and my account was opened!
  1. However, within 90 days of opening the account, you must go to a local branch for identity verification. You need to make an appointment with the bank and bring your passport, visa, account details (the letter you received), and proof of address (you can ask your landlord for assistance).

Application Progress

8/3 Application submitted

8/3 Provided passport and eVisa

8/5 Received a letter requesting arrival date / Current overseas address / Occupation / KYC

8/17 Account opened

Once you have applied to the bank, you can also apply for an IRD number from overseas. You can refer to this article.

Don't think that just applying to the bank is enough; you also need to make an appointment to activate your account locally.

Update on 2022/9/29

After entering New Zealand, I need to make an appointment with ANZ Bank to activate my bank account.

Appointment to Activate Account

You can check for the nearest ANZ branch and then go to ANZ Twitter (@ANZ_NZ) to make an appointment for the time and place you need to handle.

They are very active on Twitter and respond to messages super quickly. When I inquired during working hours in New Zealand, they replied to me in about half an hour.

Arriving in New Zealand ANZ Activate Account

You need to prepare the following documents:

  1. Your Passport (original, not a photocopy)
  2. Copy of your visa
  3. Your account details (provided in this email)
  4. Proof of overseas address (acceptable forms of address verification)

Update in 2022/09: The proof of address needs to be obtained from the owner, and remember to bring the tax number proof. If the landlord does not provide the proof of address, you can use overseas utility bills as proof of address (some friends used this method to apply).

I happened to encounter a strict branch officer who did not accept the proof of address provided by the landlord. I had to go to the Inland Revenue Department to apply for proof of address and then provide it to the officer to activate my account.

However, later I heard from friends that the officers they encountered did not have these issues, so it really depends on the officer. But it's always best to bring all the necessary documents.

Update in 2023/03: Later, friends who came to New Zealand to apply for ANZ did not need the landlord to provide proof of address; they only needed to sign a rental agreement with the owner. The download link is below:

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/assets/forms-templates/Flat-house-sharing-agreement.pdf

Once you receive your bank card, you can deposit money immediately!

I am very grateful to the companions who accompanied me, helping me run around to successfully complete the process. I hope this helps those in need!