What Is Necessary?

Recent
photo

Passport with at least
3 months validity

Email address to
receive the NZeTA

Method of payment
credit/debit card

NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority)

The Electronic Travel Authority of New Zealand is a prominent and well-known electronic visa waiver. The committee was launched in the month of August in 2019. The travellers who are eligible as per the parameters can now easily get their visa for New Zealand eTA to visit this wonderful nation.

From 1 October 2019, it is requisite for the residents of different nations (i.e. 60 visa waiver countries) along with all the travellers that travel through cruise to carry a valid eTA Visa if they want to travel New Zealand. The entire available cruise lines, as well as airlines members also need to have a valid eTA if they are planning to visit New Zealand.

All the locals from those eligible nations can get their eTA Visa just by going online and submitting a simple and short application form. This process is quite simple and very less time taking. They don't need to visit the embassy/consulate for the procedure. The online application form filling is just a matter of a few minutes.

After the approval of NZeTA, the proposed Visa has sent to the applicant via email. The approved visa remains valid for 2 years. It can be used for multiple visits to the country. It is required by the candidate to pay a minimal processing fee as well as a tourist tax. IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) provides the vis to the tourists who want to visit New Zealand.

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is a government entity that has been proposed for the tourists. It looks after and protects the natural environment along with tourism infrastructure.

While submitting an online application form, an applicant requires to answer several questions that are asked followed by the personal information (i.e. full name, contact details, residential address, permanent address, DOB, passport details, nationality, planning of travel etc.) A separate section in the form that is related to health and security is also available.

Visiting New Zealand

If you plan to visit New Zealand for a short period, you must request an NZeTA before you travel if you:

  • travel on a passport from a country on the list of visa waiver countries and territories
  • are visiting for up to 3 months — or, if you are a British citizen, up to 6 months.
  • Approved NZeTA valid up to 2 years.

Transit Passengers

If you are passing through New Zealand on your way to another country, find out if you need a visa or an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).

  • If you pass through New Zealand on your way to another country and do not plan to stay you are called a transit passenger.
  • As a transit passenger you can only travel through Auckland International Airport where you must stay in the transit area of the airport or on board your craft.
  • Depending on the passport you travel on you may need to request an New Zealand eTA or apply for a Transit Visa before you travel.
  • If you plan to leave the airport and visit New Zealand you may have to apply for a visa before you travel.

Arriving by cruise ship

If you are flying into New Zealand to join your cruise, you must have:

  • an New Zealand eTA if you are from a visa waiver country, or
  • a visa if you are from a country that requires a visa to visit New Zealand.

Estimated time of arrival New Zealand Authorized Stay and Validity

The New Zealand eTA grants visitors a stay of up to ninety (90) days in New Zealand.

Traveller can apply for the New Zealand eTA whenever before their normal takeoff date. Most applications will be handled inside 1 business day, anyway a few applications may take more time to process, up to 3 business days. The New Zealand eTA has a legitimacy of 2 years from the snapshot of endorsement and can be utilized for different passages.

Passport guidelines for the NZeTA

Applicants must have a valid passport, which must have a minimum validity of three (3) months beyond the expected date of departure. New Zealand eTA holders will be granted a 90-day stay at one of the designated ports of entry in New Zealand.

How does the NZeTA work?

The NZeTA system automatically pre-screens visa-exempt foreign visitors. It checks that applicants meet the eTA New Zealand requirements and are eligible to travel without a visa.

The eTA facilitates border crossing, improves security and makes New Zealand even safer for residents and visitors.

Eligible passport holders can get an NZeTA online in 3 steps:

  • Fill out the electronic application form
  • Pay the processing fee and submit the request
  • Receive the approved New Zealand electronic travel authority by email

Tourist, business, and transit with an NZeTA

The New Zealand Travel Authority is for Tourist, Business, and Transit. The maximum length of stay with the eTA is 3 months (6 months for UK citizens).

1. Tourist in New Zealand with an NZeTA

Travellers taking a cruise to New Zealand (regardless of their nationality), and passport holders from one of the 60 New Zealand eTA eligible countries can apply for the New Zealand eTA tourist visa waiver.

Holidays are the most common reason to obtain an NZeTA.

Tourists can visit New Zealand multiple times over the course of 2 years with an eTA. They may spend up to 3 months at a time in the country without a tourist visa.

2. New Zealand eTA for Business Trips

Citizens of a number of countries can travel to New Zealand for business without applying for a Business Visitor Visa for different periods depending on their nationality.

It is mandatory for travellers from visa waiver countries to have an NZeTA in order to visit the country for business purposes.

3. NZeTA for passengers transiting through Auckland Airport

Airline passengers with a layover in New Zealand can apply for an NZeTA for transit if they are:

  • A passport holder from a transit visa waiver or visa waiver country
  • An Australian permanent residence visa holder
  • Travelling directly from New Zealand to Australia, any nationality (current Australian visa required)
  • Travelling from Australia even if the journey started outside, any nationality

Transit passengers must remain on the plane they arrived on or in the international transit area at Auckland International Airport (AKL) for no more than 24 hours.

4. New Zealand eTA for cruise ship passengers

Even passport holders who are not from visa-waiver nations can arrive in New Zealand visa-free provided they hold an eTA.

Cruise passengers from visa waiver countries need to apply for an eTA New Zealand for the trip.

Foreigners flying into New Zealand to join a cruise ship need a visa if they do not hold a passport from a visa waiver country.

Benefits of the New Zealand visa waiver eTA

Most visitors are arriving well-prepared, having applied in advance for their New Zealand eTA visa waiver rather than leaving their authorisation to the last minute.

This proves the tourism industry’s initial worry regarding the potential for chaos (large numbers of travellers arriving at check-in without an eTA) unnecessary.

Here are some of the main benefits the eTA for New Zealand has to offer:

  • The New Zealand eTA grants holders multiple visits
  • The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority is valid for up to 2 years
  • The electronic authorisation facilitates the border arrival process
  • The application for the NZeTA visa waiver takes around 5 minutes to complete
  • More than 99% of eTA requests are processed automatically
  • Increased security within the country for both residents and visitors a like
  • The eTA allows New Zealand immigration authorities to pre-screen visa-exempt nationals in order to detect and prevent people who may pose a risk to New Zealand’s security from entering
  • The entire application process can be completed online, eliminating the need to visit a New Zealand embassy or consulate
  • Immigration New Zealand has stationed staff around the globe to manage any glitches with the eTA

Do you need a visa or eTA to go to New Zealand?

There are many countries whose citizens are not required to apply for a visa to visit New Zealand. Visitors with passports issued by these visa waiver countries can instead get the NZeTA online to enter New Zealand and stay without a visa.

The other exception is Australians, who are automatically granted authorisation to enter New Zealand and even claim residency.

Citizens of all other countries must apply for a New Zealand visa unless they are passengers on a cruise ship or are exempt for any of the other reasons outlined above.

Visa-exempt nationalities may also need a visa to travel to New Zealand for:

  • Purposes other than tourism, business, or transit
  • Stays of longer than 30 days

NZeTA Application Steps

  • Simply fill in the New Zealand eTA application form online. You must provide some basic personal, passport, and travel details. Upload the supporting documents outlined above (including a recent photo).
  • You must pay a small fee to cover the cost of processing a New Zealand eTA application. This must be done by credit or debit card. After completing the NZeTA application form, you will be prompted to enter your card details and confirm the payment.
  • Once you have completed the NZeTA online application, confirmation of the visa waiver will be delivered by email within the next few working days. The NZeTA will be linked to the passport that was registered in the online form.
Visas

New Zealand eTA Fees

Normal

USD125
per application
  • 48-72 Hours Processing Time
  • Stay up to 3 Months Per Visit
  • 2-Years validity
  • Multiple Entries allowed

Emergency

USD135
per application
  • 24-48 Hours Processing Time
  • Stay up to 3 Months Per Visit
  • 2-Years validity
  • Multiple Entries allowed

Rush

USD145
per application
  • 12-24 Hours Processing Time
  • Stay up to 3 Months Per Visit
  • 2-Years validity
  • Multiple Entries allowed

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I pay for the New Zealand eTA?

    You can pay with PayPal, debit card/credit card.

  • Can I get an invoice for my visa application?

    Yes, we can send you the invoice digitally one day after you have received your visa. Please send an email with your application number and the request to send the invoice.

  • When do I have to pay for my NZeTA?

    After submitting your visa application, you can pay directly with PayPal, debit card/credit card. We will submit your visa application after we receive the payment. If you pay by bank transfer, it usually takes one working day for us to receive the payment.

  • Is my data secure?

    We use a secure connection (https). Your personal data will only be asked to apply for the NZeTA. Furthermore, the data is not used in any way and is also not resold to third parties or used for commercial purposes. If you want us to delete your data, that is possible, and you can submit a request for this. You may not be able to pay, or you may cancel your payment. If so, we will store the data for a maximum of 48 hours. If your NZeTA has been delivered, we will keep your data until the date on which your NZeTA takes effect. Special personal data (passport number, date of issue, expiry date) are deleted 72 hours after the visa is issued. For more information, read our privacy disclaimer.

  • What is an New Zealand eTA?

    An NZeTA is an official document that allows you to travel to and travel within a country. The NZeTA is an electronic alternative to the regular visa and is issued by the government of the country in question. You can apply for New Zealand eTA completely digitally, so you do not have to go to the embassy for this. After granted, you will receive your NZeTA by email For Cuba, you will receive your NZeTA by post. For China, you will receive both by post and email documents.

  • What is the difference between a multiple, double, and single-entry NZeTA?

    A multiple entry NZeTA gives you permission to visit the country several times within the validity of the NZeTA. For a double-entry NZeTA, you can visit the country twice and with a single entry NZeTA once. In the information on our website, you can find out which NZeTA is available for the country you are traveling to.

  • Can I apply for an New Zealand eTA for someone else?

    Yes, if you have the necessary information, you can apply for a NZeTA for someone else.

  • Does NZeTA guarantee access to the country in question?

    An NZeTA gives you permission to travel to a country. The government of that country always reserves the right to deny a holder of the NZeTA entry to the country without giving any reason. Fortunately, this rarely happens in practice.

  • Can I apply for an NZeTA for several people at the same time?

    Yes, that's possible. At the bottom of the application form, you will find the button 'add visitor.' When you click on this, you will be given the opportunity to add the details for a second traveler. If you want to add more travelers, repeat this action.

  • Have multiple passports, can I choose which passport to travel with?

    Yes, you can choose which passport you travel abroad. For the validity of your NZeTA, it is important that the information on your NZeTA matches that in the passport you are traveling with. Before you make your choice, you can check whether you are eligible for an NZeTA with that passport.

  • I have a refugee or alien passport, can you apply for an NZeTA for me?

    No, unfortunately, we cannot apply for an NZeTA for you if you have a refugee or alien passport. We recommend that you contact the embassy of the country you wish to travel to. They can give you more information about the documents you need to travel to the country.

  • My passport will expire soon, and I will apply for a new one before I travel, can I already apply for an NZeTA?

    No, for the validity of your NZeTA, it is important that the information on your NZeTA matches the information on the passport you are traveling with. You must, therefore, have your new passport details before applying for your NZeTA.

  • Can I cancel my visa application?

    No, unfortunately, we cannot cancel your application once we have submitted your visa application to the government of the country concerned. The payment is, therefore, no longer refundable.

  • Can I change anything on my NZeTA?

    When we have sent you a request by email to change certain data, your request has not yet been submitted to the government of the country in question. It is then still possible to change your data. Once the application has been submitted, changes are no longer possible. If you then discover an error in your data, you must submit a new application.

  • How do I receive my NZeTA?

    You will receive your NZeTA by email. Upon receipt, we will send it to the email address you provided with your application. For Cuba, you will receive your visa by post. For China, you will receive part of the documents by email and part by post.

  • Can I renew my NZeTA?

    We cannot extend your NZeTA for you. In some destinations, it is possible to renew your visa on the spot. You can find out whether this is possible for your travel destination in the information on our website.

  • Do I need to print my NZeTA?

    We recommend that you always take your New Zealand eTA with your hardcopy (printed) or softcopy (on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop) when traveling.

  • Can I print my NZeTA in black and white?

    Yes, you the visa can be printed in black and white.

  • Can a government of a country process an application urgently?

    No. A government agency always maintains its own assessment time and cannot prioritize applications.

  • I do not have a Citizen Service Number (BSN). What do I have to fill-in?

    You can enter zero nine-times (000000000) in the input field on the application form.

  • My visa application has been rejected. Can you refund my money?

    No, unfortunately, this is not possible. When your visa application has been rejected, your visa application has been processed by us. This means that we have paid for your visa application with the government. A refund is therefore not possible.

Other Countries Visas