New Zealand NZeTA guide

The basics

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is a travel authority, not a visa. Immigration New Zealand states that some people can use it to travel to New Zealand without applying for a visa first, depending on their passport, how they are travelling and whether they are visiting or only transiting.

Validity

2 years for most travelers (5 years for airline crew members), with multiple visits allowed while valid, according to Immigration New Zealand

Stay per entry

Up to 3 months per visit, or up to 6 months for United Kingdom citizens, according to Immigration New Zealand

Where you apply

Online through the official NZeTA website (nzeta.immigration.govt.nz), which Immigration New Zealand links from its NZeTA page.

Fee

NZD $17 is the cost listed on the Immigration New Zealand NZeTA page. Most international visitors also pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100.

Who it's for

Immigration New Zealand indicates an NZeTA may be available to citizens of a visa waiver country or territory, cruise or cargo ship passengers, Australian permanent residents, citizens of China or a Pacific Islands Forum country travelling from Australia with an eligible Australian visa, and some transit passengers. Rules vary by nationality, so check the official visa tool before travel.

Australian citizens traveling on an Australian passport do not need a visa or an NZeTA, according to Immigration New Zealand.

• Visitors from visa waiver countries or territories, who may be given a visitor visa on arrival.
• Cruise or cargo ship passengers, who are treated as visitors, not transit passengers.
• Transit passengers passing through Auckland International Airport, for up to 24 hours in the transit area.
• Anyone passing through another New Zealand airport must answer 'visiting' when requesting an NZeTA, or hold a visa.

How to apply

Immigration New Zealand directs applicants to request the NZeTA online at the official NZeTA website. Its page describes the process as submitting the online form and paying the fee, with a separate request for each traveler. Processing time is listed as 72 hours, and the New Zealand tourism site advises requesting it before travel to avoid delays, noting some requests may take longer.

Immigration New Zealand states that cruise or cargo ship passengers must apply before the ship departs for New Zealand.

• Request the NZeTA on the official website, or through the NZeTA app.
• Submit the request and pay the fee. Check all details before submitting.
• The IVL can be paid in the same transaction as the NZeTA.

Documents

Sources reviewed do not list a document checklist for the NZeTA. The New Zealand tourism site says the passport must generally remain valid for 1 to 3 months after the planned departure, depending on the issuing country.

• The New Zealand tourism site notes a New Zealand Traveller Declaration is also required for each traveler, including children, and is free.

Stay and extensions

Immigration New Zealand states an NZeTA allows visits of up to 3 months at a time, or up to 6 months for United Kingdom citizens, and can be reused multiple times while valid. Entry permission is gained on arrival.

The sources do not state extension terms for stays under an NZeTA.

Things to confirm

• Whether your passport qualifies for an NZeTA. Rules vary by nationality.
• The current NZeTA fee, on the Immigration New Zealand page.
• Extension options for stays under an NZeTA.
• Whether an onward ticket or proof of funds may be requested on arrival. Sources reviewed state this for other visa types, not the NZeTA.
• Whether the IVL applies to you. Exemptions exist and are described as varying by passport and status.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.