Overview
New Zealand's Electronic Travel Authority (the NZeTA) makes visiting this gorgeous country easier than it has ever been before. Eligible visitors coming to New Zealand for tourist or transit purposes can apply online and get permission to enter the country before they even board a plane or a cruise ship.
The NZeTA is required for people who come from a visa waiver country, permanent residents of Australia, and all cruise ship passengers. This completely electronic document makes it easier than ever to enter New Zealand and take in everything it has to offer.
Applicant will receive eTA approval details to the email address provided on the application form. Important: As of 1 October 2019, if you do not have an approved NZeTA you will not be allowed to travel to New Zealand.
Allowed Activities
Tourist ETA
- Sightseeing (recreational visits)
- Meeting with friends and/or relatives
- Holiday visit
Transit ETA
- Transit through New Zealand
Processing Steps
Online Application
Form is received and reviewed for approval.
Receive Document
Receive the approved document via e-mail.
Arrive in New Zealand
Present the document upon arrival.
Requirements for Application
Funds and Exiting New Zealand
You are advised to have enough funds to cover you stay in New Zealand. The New Zealand eTA visa is valid for a 3-month stay. It is your responsibility to exit New Zealand with the allotted time frame.
Lawful Reason for Visit
You need to have a lawful reason for visiting New Zealand and be in good health and of good character. This means that you may be denied if you have a criminal conviction, you've been deported, removed or excluded from another country, or there is reason to believe that you may pose a risk to New Zealand's security, public order or public interest. This includes registered sex offenders and travelers that are known gang associates.
Lawful purposes for visiting New Zealand with the NZeTA include: sightseeing, visiting family and/or friends, participating in amateur sporting events, or those that are on holiday.
NZeTA Approval Needed Prior to Departure
You must be a citizen of a visa waiver country and as of October 1, 2019, you must have your NZeTA approved before you leave for New Zealand. Approval will come in the form of an email, and does not require a document print-out. Approval details are linked to your passport and will remain linked for the duration of the eTA visa.
Passport Validity Upon Entry to New Zealand
Passport must be valid for at least 3-months from the date of your arrival. It is advised to have at least 2 available pages in passport for Immigration stamp. If you're planning on undertaking employment, you're not eligible for the NZeTA travel waiver.
New Zealand ETA Processing
What is the New Zealand ETA?
The New Zealand Travel Authority or NZeTA for short is an entry permit to enter New Zealand for tourism or transit. This new system streamlines visitor's entry request. Visitors are also asked to fill out the NZeTA of transiting through New Zealand.
Travelers from waiver countries wishing to visit New Zealand for work or as a student or tourist simply need to obtain the NZeTA. You must be a citizen of a visa waiver country and while this electronic application can take as little as 10 minutes to process your NZeTA request, it may take up to 72 hours.
As long as you meet the requirements below, you'll receive your NZeTA via email and it will entitle you to visit the country for up to 3-months.
NZeTA Requirements
As stated above, for the NZeTA, you must be a citizen of a visa waiver country and as of October 1, 2019, you must have your NZeTA in hand before you leave for New Zealand. Additionally, there's a few more requirements that you need to be aware of.
First, you need to have a lawful reason for visiting New Zealand and be in good health and of good character. This means that you may be denied if you have a criminal conviction, you've been deported, removed or excluded from another country, or there is reason to believe that you may pose a risk to New Zealand's security, public order or public interest. This includes registered sex offenders and travelers that are known gang associates.
Your Passport must be valid for at least 3-months from the date of your arrival but if you're planning on undertaking employment, you're not eligible for the travel waiver.
Lawful purposes for visiting New Zealand with the NZeTA include: tourism and transit.
Tourist ETA
Visitors wanting to visit New Zealand for tourism can apply for the NZeTA without a problem. This includes sightseeing, recreational and visiting friends and family.
The Tourist ETA is the most popular NZeTA type due to its ease in getting it approved, and what the visitor can do. The validity is very fitting for a typical vacation in New Zealand. It is ideal for most people visiting New Zealand.
Cruise passengers can also apply if flying into New Zealand to join a cruise. Cruise ship passengers must also be from a visa waiver country in order to apply for a NZeTA.
Transit ETA
Travelers that are transiting through New Zealand should also apply. Keep in mind that they must have their layover at Auckland International Airport. Transit passengers cannot leave the airport to tour New Zealand. The Transit ETA is for transit only.
If a transit traveler wants to leave the airport to explore New Zealand, it is advised to contact the airport office/
The transit ETA is a great option for travelers that just needs to transit through New Zealand and want the layover to be a hassle free as possible.
Filling Out The Online Form
The process behind filling out the form is extremely easy and effort-less. All the applicant needs to do is click Apply Now at the top of this page, fill out the required fields, make the payment online, and wait for the approval email. Thats it!
Some countries that are NZeTA approved are:
Showing Proof of NZeTA Approval
Most countries that require a visa will need the visitor to print out a visa approval document. Again, the NZeTA is not a vis and does not require a print-out. This is because all of the applicant's ETA approval information is linked electronically to the passport.
Immigration officials will be able to see New Zealand eTA on their computer.
However, it is recommended to print out the approval email that show the approval information. This is done just to be on the safe side, and can provide proof in case there is an issue upon arrival.
Upon Arrival in New Zealand
In addition to having your NZeTA, there are a few requirements you'll have to meet once you arrive in New Zealand.
You have to provide proof of your identity and show you are that you are a genuine visitor that meets the criteria explained above. Additionally, you also have to have a ticket out of New Zealand and have enough money to live on for both you and anyone in your travel party for the duration of your stay.