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New Zealand has started a 12-month Visa-Free trial to make short trips easier for people from some Pacific Island countries and China who are travelling from Australia. Instead of going through the full visitor-visa process, eligible travellers can use a low-cost online travel authorisation (the NZeTA) to enter New Zealand for short stays. This simple change aims to bring families together faster, help tourism recover, and make short business trips less stressful.

Who can use the Visa-Free trial?

The trial is for people who meet three key rules: they must have a passport from China or a Pacific Islands Forum country, they must be travelling to New Zealand from Australia (not merely transiting through), and they must hold a valid eligible Australian visa when they check in for their flight. Travellers also need a valid NZeTA before travel. These conditions mean the trip must begin in Australia and the traveller must show both their Australian visa and their approved NZeTA at check-in or on arrival.

How the Visa-Free trial works (simple)

Under the trial, you do not apply for a traditional visitor visa for that specific short trip. Instead, you request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) online. The NZeTA is an easy electronic permission to travel — low cost and mostly quick to get — and it acts like a temporary visa for qualifying trips from Australia to New Zealand. In practice, you request or check your NZeTA online and then travel with the NZeTA plus proof of your Australian visa.

When the trial started and application timing

The trial began in early November 2025, with a short transitional period set so people could apply for the NZeTA a little earlier than the travel start date. Official guidance said applicants could request their NZeTA from a few days before the trial start, but they could only use it to travel once the trial was live. If you plan to travel under this trial, it’s best to check official pages for the exact dates and any short windows when applications open.

How long you can stay and repeat visits

Most travellers using the trial can stay in New Zealand for up to three months during a single visit. Separately, the NZeTA itself can be valid for up to two years for travellers (longer for crew). That means, while the NZeTA is valid, you can make repeat short visits under the Visa-Free arrangement — but you must follow the time-in-country limits and other conditions. Always check the official NZeTA Visa Information page for the most current rules about stays and re-use.

Steps you should take (easy checklist)

1. Confirm your passport is from an eligible country and that your trip begins in Australia.
   
2. Make sure you have a valid eligible Australian visa at the moment you check in for the flight.
   
3. Submit NZeTA Online well before travel — allow at least 72 hours for processing to avoid stress.
   
4. Keep digital and printed copies of your NZeTA and Australian visa.
   
5. Carry proof of return or onward travel and evidence of where you will stay, as border officers may ask.
   

These small steps help the border process go smoothly and reduce the chance of being delayed at check-in or on arrival.

What the Visa-Free trial means for people

For many families, a Visa-Free option means faster visits to see loved ones, fewer forms, and lower cost. For tourists and short-term business travellers, it lowers a barrier that used to make a short trip take much more time and planning. For Pacific communities that travel often between Australia, New Zealand and family islands, the change can ease cultural visits and business ties. The trial is a small policy shift but one that can have a big personal effect — cutting wait times and the worry that comes with complicated visa forms.

What the Visa-Free trial does not change

This Visa-Free trial is only for short stays and does not give work rights. If you plan to work, study long-term, or stay beyond the allowed short period, you still need the correct visa for that purpose. The trial is also temporary: the government will watch how it works for 12 months and then decide whether to keep or change it. If you need long-term plans, do not rely on the trial to grant work or residency rights.

Tips to avoid problems

• Apply early — Submit NZeTA Online with time to spare.
• Double-check that your Australian visa is valid on the day you check in.
• Keep receipts and booking confirmations for accommodation and flights.
• Read the official NZeTA Visa Information so you understand limits, fees, and processing times.
• Check New Zealand’s biosecurity and customs rules — they are strict and fines can be expensive.

Final thoughts 

Policy words like “trial” and “waiver” can sound dry, but for a grandmother wanting to see her grandchild, or a small business owner travelling for a short training course, the Visa-Free trial can remove real stress. It saves time, lowers cost, and makes short visits feel more possible — not another heavy chore. If you think you might use this trial, plan ahead, Submit NZeTA Online, and read the official NZeTA Visa Information so you travel with confidence. Then enjoy the trip — New Zealand’s landscapes and friendly people are worth it.