NZeTA Visa Information Guide

NZeTA Visa Information Guide

Visitors and passengers from several countries can travel to New Zealand without a visa if they get an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they travel. The NZeTA has been introduced in October 2019, and visitors from  the UK, USA, Europe (and some other 60 countries) may need to obtain the new NZeTA before they travel.

Here's a quick guide to the new NZeTA visa requirements for New Zealand.


 

NZeTA Visa Introduction

The NZeTA is a new New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority which was introduced in October 2019, with the aim to help increase security at New Zealand borders.

Having an NZeTA shows you're allowed to travel to New Zealand.

Who Needs a NZeTA?

You need an NZeTA if you are travelling on a passport from a visa-waiver country.

New Zealand has a waiver agreement with 60 countries across the world.

Citizens of the visa waiver countries require an NZeTA for New Zealand holidays of less than 3 months, or in case of British citizens, up to 6 months.

If you're an Australian permanent resident you must also request in NZeTA before you travel to New Zealand.

Who does not need a NZeTA?

If you are a New Zealand or Australian citizen you do not need a visa or an NZeTA

 

NZeTA Visa Rules


 

NZeTA Visa Waiver Countries

Passport holders of some countries and territories doe not have to apply for a Visa before they travel to NZ but must hold an NZeTA.

Check the list below to see if your country is one of the visa waiver countries

 

Arriving by cruise ship

If you are arriving in New Zealand by cruise ship and do not have a visa, you must hold an NZeTA.

Transit passengers

If you passing through New Zealand on your way to another country, but are not leaving the airport terminal, you may still need to apply for an NZeTA or Transit Visa.

If you are planning to transit through Auckland International Airport you must hold an NZeTA if you:

  • Hold a passport from a visa waiver country
  • Are a citizen of a visa waiver country
  • Hold a current Australian permanent resident visa that allows you to return to Australia

You need to apply for a Transit Visa before you travel if you are not:

  • From a transit visa waiver country
  • From a visa waiver country
  • An Australian permanent resident

How to apply for an NZeTA

You can apply for an NZeTA using the following options:

  • NZeTA website
  • NZeTA mobile app - search for "NZETA" in the App Store or Google Play

The NZeTA is valid for a period of two years and costs

  • NZD $9 when applying via the mobile app
  • NZD $12 when applying via online via the NZeTA website.

 

Processing times may take up to 72 hours, but can be completed within as short as 10 minutes. For peace of mind we do recommend to apply for your NZeTA at least 72 hours prior to getting to New Zealand.

 

Apply for a New Zealand visa


 

Tourism Tax

At the same time of the NZeTA introduction, a new tourism tax has also been introduced, the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

The cost for this levy is NZD $35 and you will pay this at the same you when you apply for the NZeTA.


 

Upon arrival in New Zealand

AUpon arrival at Auckland International Airport, make your way to Immigration for passport control as usual, and present your  passport to the immigration officer. 

You do not need to show your NZeTA at the border.

What once used to be a tedious and time consuming process, the NZeTA allows for pre-arrival passenger screening, which has resulted in faster processing times at the airport.

 

Arrival at Immigration New Zealand

 


  

Summarizing notes

  

  • If you are from a visa waiver country, you must hold an NZeTA before you travel
  • Allow up to 72 hours for processing, but it could take as little as 10 minutes
  • An NZeTA costs NZD $9 on the free app, or NZD $12 if completed online
  • You pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) at the same time as your NZeTA, which costs NZD $35
  • Once you have requested in NZeTA you can check the application status
 


 

 

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