Apply for your NZeTA online before you travel to New Zealand
Visitors from visa-waiver countries, travellers changing planes in Auckland and every cruise passenger need an approved NZeTA before they board. Our form takes about 10 minutes, and we check every answer before it is submitted.
- Valid for up to 2 years
- Multiple visits
- Stay up to 90 days per visit
- Decision sent by email
Before you start
Applying takes about 10 minutes per traveller. You will need:
- PassportValid 3+ months after you leave
- PhotoA clear phone photo is fine
- EmailFor updates and your decision
- CardVisa, Mastercard or Amex
Already applied? Check your status
- Checked before it's submittedWe review your form for errors that could cause delays
- Secure & privateYour passport details are encrypted with SSL
- Fast optionsChoose normal, emergency or rush processing
- Real supportEmail help from our team, Monday to Friday
What is an NZeTA?
An NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is a digital permission to travel that is attached to your passport. It is not a visa, and there is no sticker or stamp. It is for people who can already visit New Zealand without a visa.
The NZeTA has been required since 1 October 2019. Your airline or cruise line checks it at check-in, so without an approved NZeTA you will not be allowed to board, even if your passport comes from a visa-waiver country.
Most visitors also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) with their application. The levy goes towards the national parks, walking tracks and visitor facilities you are likely to use. Transit passengers and Australian permanent residents don't pay it.
Apply at least 72 hours before you fly. Many decisions arrive within a day, but some applications are checked by hand and take longer.
- Validity
- Up to 2 yearsOr until your passport expires
- Stay per visit
- Up to 90 daysBritish citizens: up to 6 months
- Entries
- UnlimitedAs many trips as you like
- Decision time
- Up to 72 hoursFaster options available
Who needs an NZeTA?
If you can enter New Zealand without a visa, you almost certainly need an NZeTA instead. It covers four types of traveller.
You don't need an NZeTA if you are:
A New Zealand or Australian citizen, a person who already holds a valid New Zealand visa, or a member of a visiting military force or Antarctic programme.
Australian permanent residents
You need an NZeTA, but you don't pay the IVL. Answer "yes" to the permanent resident question in our form.
How to apply for an NZeTA in 4 steps
Everything happens online, on your phone or computer. There is nothing to post and no appointment to book.
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Fill in the online form
Enter your contact details, choose a processing speed, and add the passport details for each traveller.
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Upload your photo
Add a clear, recent photo of your face. A phone photo against a plain, light background works well.
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Review and pay securely
Check your answers, then pay by debit or credit card. We review your application before it is submitted.
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Get your decision by email
Your NZeTA is linked to your passport electronically. You don't need to print anything, but keeping a copy is useful.
What you need to apply
Gather these first. With everything to hand, the form takes about 10 minutes per person.
- Your passport. It must be from an eligible country (any country if you are arriving by cruise ship) and valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave New Zealand.
- A recent photo of your face. A phone photo is fine if it meets the photo rules.
- An email address you check. Updates and your decision are sent there.
- A debit or credit card. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
- Honest answers. You will be asked about criminal convictions, deportations and certain health matters.
When you land, border officers may also ask for
- An onward ticketProof you will leave New Zealand
- Enough moneyTo cover the length of your stay
- Where you're stayingA hotel booking or your host's address
- Traveller DeclarationA separate arrival form you complete before landing
NZeTA photo requirements
A rejected photo is the most common reason an NZeTA application is held up. You don't need a studio: a phone photo taken in good daylight usually works.
Your photo should
- Be taken in the last 6 months, in colour
- Show your full face, from the top of your head to your chin, looking straight at the camera
- Have a plain, light-coloured background with no shadows
- Show a neutral expression with your eyes open and mouth closed
- Be sharp and evenly lit, with no filters or editing
Avoid
- Glasses, sunglasses, hats or headphones
- Selfies taken at arm's length, which distort the face
- Other people, pets or objects in the frame
- Hair covering your eyes or the edges of your face
- Scans or photos of your passport page
Religious head coverings are fine as long as your whole face is visible. For babies, lay them on a plain white sheet and take the photo from above. See our photo guide with examples.
NZeTA requirements by country
Citizens of 60 visa-waiver countries can use an NZeTA to visit New Zealand. Citizens of 24 more countries can use it only to transit through Auckland. Choose your country to see the rules that apply to you.
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Andorra
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Argentina
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Austria
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Bahamas
Transit
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Bahrain
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Belgium
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Bermuda
Transit
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Bolivia
Transit
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Brazil
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Brunei
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Bulgaria
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Canada
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Chile
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Colombia
Transit
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Costa Rica
Transit
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Croatia
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Cyprus
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Czech Republic
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Denmark
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Ecuador
Transit
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Estonia
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Finland
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France
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Germany
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Greece
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Hong Kong
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Hungary
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Iceland
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Indonesia
Transit
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Ireland
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Israel
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Italy
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Japan
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Kiribati
Transit
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Kuwait
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Latvia
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Liechtenstein
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Lithuania
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Luxembourg
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Macau
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Malaysia
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Malta
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Marshall Islands
Transit
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Mauritius
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Mexico
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Micronesia
Transit
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Monaco
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Nauru
Transit
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Netherlands
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Norway
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Oman
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Palau
Transit
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Panama
Transit
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Papua New Guinea
Transit
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Paraguay
Transit
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Peru
Transit
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Philippines
Transit
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Poland
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Portugal
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Qatar
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Romania
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Samoa
Transit
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San Marino
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Saudi Arabia
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Seychelles
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Singapore
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Solomon Islands
Transit
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South Korea
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Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland
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Taiwan
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Thailand
Transit
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Tonga
Transit
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Tuvalu
Transit
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UAE
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UK
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United States
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Uruguay
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Vanuatu
Transit
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Vatican City
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Venezuela
Transit
No matching country. If your country is not listed, you will usually need a visa to visit New Zealand, unless you are arriving by cruise ship.
Visitor NZeTA or transit NZeTA?
There is one NZeTA application, but what you can do with it depends on your nationality and the reason for your trip.
| Visitor NZeTA | Transit NZeTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Citizens of visa-waiver countries, and cruise passengers of any nationality | Citizens of transit visa-waiver countries and visa-waiver countries |
| What it allows | Tourism, visiting family, business meetings and short study of up to 3 months | Changing flights at Auckland International Airport only |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days per visit (UK citizens up to 6 months) | Up to 24 hours, staying in the international transit area |
| IVL tourism levy | Included in your fee | Not charged |
| Validity | Up to 2 years with multiple trips, or until your passport expires if that is sooner | |
Why travellers apply with us
Most NZeTA delays come down to small things: a passport number typed wrongly, a middle name left out, a photo with a shadow. Our checks are there to catch them before they cost you time.
Every application is checked
Before your application is submitted, a member of our team checks names, dates, passport numbers and your photo against the requirements.
Processing that fits your trip
Choose normal, emergency or rush processing depending on when you fly. Each option is clearly priced before you pay.
One form for the whole group
Add up to 10 travellers in a single application, which is ideal for families and tour groups.
Works on any device
The form is simple and works well on mobile. Your progress is saved after each step.
Track your status online
Use your reference number to check the status of your application at any time.
Help from real people
Questions about eligibility, photos or a declined application? Email our support team.
How long is an NZeTA valid?
Your NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years from the date it is issued. During that time you can visit New Zealand as many times as you like, as long as each stay follows the rules for your nationality.
- New passport? Your NZeTA is linked to the passport you used to apply. If you renew your passport, you need a new NZeTA.
- Expired NZeTA? You can't renew it. Submit a new application before your next trip.
- Changing plans? You don't need to tell anyone your exact travel dates. The NZeTA covers all eligible trips while it is valid.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your name doesn't exactly match the name in your passport, including middle names
- Mixing up the letter "O" and the number "0" in your passport number
- Your photo shows sunglasses, shadows, a busy background or a cropped face
- Leaving your application until the day of departure
- Using a passport that expires less than 3 months after you leave New Zealand
What happens when you travel with an NZeTA
There is nothing to print and no extra paperwork at the airport. This is what to expect, from the day before you fly to walking out of arrivals.
- Day before
Complete your Traveller Declaration
The New Zealand Traveller Declaration is a separate, free arrival form. You can fill it in online up to 24 hours before your flight leaves.
- Check-in
Your airline checks your NZeTA
Staff scan your passport and the NZeTA shows up electronically. Travel on the same passport you applied with, or it won't be found.
- Arrival
Passport control
Many ePassport holders can use the automatic eGates. Others see a border officer, who may ask about your plans, money and onward ticket.
- Arrival
Biosecurity check
Declare all food, plants and outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents. Undeclared items can lead to an on-the-spot fine.
One NZeTA, every corner of New Zealand
An approved NZeTA covers the whole country. Most visitors fly into Auckland or Christchurch and combine a city stay with a road trip through both islands.
Questions travellers often ask
Quick answers about the New Zealand eTA. For more detail, see our full FAQ page.
See all FAQsIf you are a citizen of a visa-waiver country, you don't need a visa for short visits, but you must have an NZeTA before you travel. Citizens of other countries usually need a visitor visa, unless they are arriving on a cruise ship or transiting through Auckland from a transit visa-waiver country.
Many NZeTA applications are decided within a day, but you should allow up to 72 hours. If you are travelling soon, you can choose emergency or rush processing in our form.
Your total depends on the processing speed you choose. Every price includes the NZeTA charge, the IVL tourism levy where it applies, and our application checking and support service. See our fees page for current prices.
No. An NZeTA is an electronic travel authority for people who don't need a visa. It confirms you can travel to New Zealand. A border officer still makes the final decision when you arrive.
No. An NZeTA allows tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits such as meetings and conferences, and study of up to 3 months. To work for a New Zealand employer, you need a work visa.
Yes. Every traveller needs their own NZeTA, including babies and children travelling on their own passport. You can add the whole family in one application.
No. Your NZeTA is linked to your passport electronically, so airlines and border officers can see it. We still recommend keeping the confirmation email on your phone.
Use a recent colour photo of your face against a plain, light background, looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression. Remove glasses and hats. A clear phone photo taken in daylight is usually accepted.
Yes. The NZeTA lets you travel, while the New Zealand Traveller Declaration is a separate arrival form. You can complete it online up to 24 hours before your flight leaves.
If your NZeTA is declined, you can't use it to travel. You may be able to apply for a New Zealand visitor visa instead. Contact our support team and we'll explain your options.